This has to be one of the most scenic roads on the South Island

 January 21st

There was a downside to parking right by those loos, Last thing at night and first thing this morning all we could here were the doors banging as people used them!

We left the site with a mission. Find out what was on that ridge up on the mountain side. We had seen cars going up a gravel road, it looked intriguing and a little bit scary.

 And it was every bit as scary as I had thought. Single roads, sheer drops and corners that even had a mirror positioned for oncoming traffic. But the views of the Kawarua Gorge was marvellous.

Kawarua road bridge and Kawarua suspension bridge (where the bungy was held)

That's the Kawarua car park where we stopped last night. You can just make out the toilets.

On the way down, even scarier for me with that sheer drop to the side, (I told Ian in no uncertain terms that if a car was met he was NOT to be the one to reverse!) and as we descended it occurred to us that we could have walked across the bridge where those bungy jumpers had taken the plunge, so before leaving the area we drove back to the car park The view from the gorge was equally impressive, and we got to see another jumper. Not with bikes this time!

 Queenstown was a place we had been to twice before and with it being a weekend, trying to find a parking spot didn't appeal. We had to drive through the town to take the turn leading to Glenorchy and so glad we made the decision not to stop. It was heaving!

So that drive to Glenorchy, on our map it had 'Must Do' and so we did. Wow, what a road, following Lake Wakatipu with views of the Richardson Mountains to our right and the Thomson Mountains on the left and looking straight ahead the bottom end of the Southern Alps with a snow capped Mount Earnslaw, it was enough to make one glad to be alive. 

A stop at Bennetts Bluff and a walk to a lookout was so worthwhile. Just amazing how beautiful the South Island is.

Mount Earnslaw we think.

 Glenorchy was what I can only describe as a sleepy little town but if you fancy being adventurous, this was the place to go to. Jet boating, rafting, jet skis all could be done from here. We inquired about the Jet boat. 2.5 hours along the River Dart for the princely sum of $300 each! We declined rather rapidly. Anyway we headed off toward township of Paradise. Started on a sealed road, but it soon changed to a gravel road with a scary sign halfway along.

This symbol was on our map for that road to Paradise. Not having bothered to find out what it meant, I did check the map legend and found it to mean, 'No rental cars allowed'. I can see why!

This ford was completely dry and without water you could see what they meant.

This was a busy road, cars coming and going, we followed a car and had its dust to contend with and of course we met a car and trailer just where the road narrowed! 

 Stopped at Diamond Lake. This was another DOC site right by the water and what a lovely setting to take photos of a wedding. A newly wed Chinese couple having their wedding photos taken against a fabulous backdrop.

So peaceful here, no traffic, hardly any sandflies and we have high hopes of a starry sky tonight.What more could we wish for.

And wildlife