2 Geckos Travelling Australia

8 degrees, clear sky. On Wikicamps it shows the locations of some Lord of the Rings sites around here. We haven’t watched it so we won’t be checking them out.

Back over the bridge and along the high edge of the river gorge. Spotted a hot air balloon floating along. Saw some deer - ones with big antlers too.

Passed the Crown Range turn off which is a winding road to ski areas and Wanaka. Continued on then crossed the Arrow River which flows into the Kawarau River. The chairlift posts are catching the sun on Coronet Peak in the distance.

Right turn to head to Arrowtown.

Nice treed road through town.

As it is only early we continued on to Arthurs Point and the Shotover River first. Through farms, passed the turn off to Coronet Peak. Looking at the mountains at the back of Bob’s Peak, Queenstown. I zoomed in on the crane that is working on the Skyline construction.

Nice view down the valley.

Into Arthurs Point area then down the hill to the Shotover River. Went across the one-lane bridge then turned around as there is no parking this side.

Back across - view upstream.

Pulled into the car park for the Brewery, Queenstown Rafting and Shotover Jet etc that are based here. Good view of the bridge.

Heard the jet boats starting up. The drivers went off for a ‘run’. This is the jet boat company I went with in 1982 and white water rafting further upstream.

My photos from 1982.

Walked across to the lookout below the bridge.

Back up then looking over the Shotover Jetboat place and up the river gorge.

A group lined up ready for a thrilling ride.

Back to the car park then we headed off to find the tunnel. Good info sign but the other walking track signs weren’t too good so we walked up to a park first. We can see the old engine near the tunnel.

Made our way back to the river and we eventually got there.

Walked a bit further along upstream.

Two jet boats arrived so we watched them zoom and do a 360.

A couple are doing some panning on the other side. Steve just peered - water is too cold to put his hands in.

Headed back to Arrowtown village as thin clouds come over. Another view of Coronet Peak road, buildings and chair lift. Spotted a parachute thing - someone taking off.

Lots of tracks through this clear pine plantation area.

Spotted the parachute again up in the sky now.

Into Arrowtown. Busier now. The main car park was full so we headed down to Bush Creek where additional parking was available on the gravel. Lots of mountain bikers about too. I had picked up a good brochure in Queenstown.

Went for a wander along the creek then over and down the road which leads to Macetown. Don’t think we will continue that way.

Walked down to the Arrow River, someone has been digging looking for gold by the water’s edge.

Back to the huts we passed before and continued along into old Chinatown. Lots of information and old buildings.

Walked down to Bush Creek.

Back to where we started. Continued along a bit and found a ‘dunny’. It belonged to Ah Wak but the cottage burnt down between 1900 and 1910.

Up the track to Ah Lum’s Store.

Found the Chinatown entrance sign.

Followed the track around and found this cottage which was part of the original Arrowtown Police Camp, built around 1863 and since been restored.

Inside is lots of information about the area. Very interesting reading about the ‘bad’ pines.

Walked through the ‘pound’ and Butler’s Wall.

Up the steps to Buckingham Street, Arrowtown Village.

Popped into the Gold Shop for a look and met Justin and his wife. He showed us some lovely nuggets from here and from the west coast area.

Chatted for a bit about WA as he said he goes there in the winter. We then realised he was at Barry’s place when we called in there last year. He will be heading back over next year so we might see him there.

Continued along the street. Gold panning at the next gold shop. Lots of lovely woolly things and NZ Jade to buy too as we continued along the street. $90 for a polished Paua shell - I should try and clean the one up I found.