Queenstown was today’s target destination and at only an hours away, the drive was easy in the good weather.
We found our hotel, which, from the outside, was not so nice. We thought about swapping to another but it turned out to be too complicated so we stuck with the Mercure Hotel.
We popped down to town for a quick drink and then headed out to the base of the main gondola to walk the gondola link track and then the Fern Hill Track.
We were pleasantly surprised with Queenstown. Quite a few people had suggested that Queenstown is too busy and touristy. However, we found it to be a very pretty place with a good vibe, great Indian food, good bars and not at all busy.
The fern hill track and link track were supposed to take over three hours but we managed to hike both in just over two hours. The hike was quite hard but we were rewarded with great alpine views as we walked though the forests into tussock grass land. Queenstown is a small ski area in the winter, so the area felt very alpine indeed.
We popped back to the hotel for a shower before driving back to town for our 4pm Milford Track hike briefing. Our group was smaller than some, only 22 of us, which was good. After a brief video and chat about what clothing to take etc. the event was over. Fiona and l bought some ice breaker walking tops. Fiona also bought a pair of polyprop leggings.
We wandered around town for a bit, purchased some Christmas presents and then went to the local Indian restaurant for a great curry. If your ever in Queenstown and want a good curry, go to the Tandouri Palace.
We went back to tour room, packed our back packs and went to bed quite excited about tomorrows Impending Milford Track five day hike.
We found our hotel, which, from the outside, was not so nice. We thought about swapping to another but it turned out to be too complicated so we stuck with the Mercure Hotel.
We popped down to town for a quick drink and then headed out to the base of the main gondola to walk the gondola link track and then the Fern Hill Track.
We were pleasantly surprised with Queenstown. Quite a few people had suggested that Queenstown is too busy and touristy. However, we found it to be a very pretty place with a good vibe, great Indian food, good bars and not at all busy.
The fern hill track and link track were supposed to take over three hours but we managed to hike both in just over two hours. The hike was quite hard but we were rewarded with great alpine views as we walked though the forests into tussock grass land. Queenstown is a small ski area in the winter, so the area felt very alpine indeed.
We popped back to the hotel for a shower before driving back to town for our 4pm Milford Track hike briefing. Our group was smaller than some, only 22 of us, which was good. After a brief video and chat about what clothing to take etc. the event was over. Fiona and l bought some ice breaker walking tops. Fiona also bought a pair of polyprop leggings.
We wandered around town for a bit, purchased some Christmas presents and then went to the local Indian restaurant for a great curry. If your ever in Queenstown and want a good curry, go to the Tandouri Palace.
We went back to tour room, packed our back packs and went to bed quite excited about tomorrows Impending Milford Track five day hike.
