We finally leave the Queenstown Lakes area and head further south via the Cardrona Road where we stop for a quick photo. What a road it is to drive – magnificent scenery and then a VERY windy road coming down.

En-route – A quick stop in Lumsden where the council have really got the right idea about freedom campers – toilets, very clearly marked spaces of which there are many, lots of bins including recycling and even a place to wash your dishes! There are also some old railway carriages which you can walk through. In 1983, Lumsden was the site of New Zealand’s biggest bank robbery – some really interesting info panels tell the story. Our next stop was at Mossburn where we stopped for coffee and a MAGNIFICENT venison pie at Bracken Hall. https://www.facebook.com/brackenhallmossburn/

Mavora Lakes – after a 41km drive on a metal (gravel) road, we arrived at Mavora Lakes. There is no signal. Just the sound of the wind in the trees, the water lapping at the edge of the lake and birds. This is a DoC camp site and they have managed it really well. Long drop toilets (for those who have no idea, this is a very deep hole in the ground with a toilet hut sitting on top of it, no flushing, just open, drop, close!) are spaced out so that you don’t have to walk too far to go, there are basic bbq’s near to most areas where you park and clear signage everywhere. It was idyllic. Don got a fire going the first night and we had steak cooked outside, followed by a rather lovely glass of wine by the fire as the sun went down. We had a fab walk the next day down the the top of the Southern Lake via a swing bridge & through what looks like a fairy-tale forest with fungi everywhere.

As we were coming to the end of the 41km gravel drive out of the lakes, we encountered a traffic jam – best to just sit still and watch!

Te Anau – we planned to stop in Te Anau for one night before heading up to Milford Sound, unfortunately we had to change our plans and we had an extra day here. It is a very busy town with some really popular cafes. We liked the Sandfly Cafe https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063619539706# and Bailiez as it had a fire going! The lake is really beautiful and well worth a visit in it’s own right.

Manapouri – finally we make it to Manapouri. This is where I fell in love with New Zealand in 2014. It is my go to happy place. It still has that same impact on me and although some things are different, the beauty of the lake and the calmness it exudes have not. We spent a few days here doing very short walks and relaxing.