Mon, 16th Mar, 2026 (part1) Freedom campground, Lumsden to Kawarau Bridge car park, Kawarau River, NZ (Lake Wakatipu & Queenstown)

13 degrees min, cloudy. Up early to head out of town and onto the road to Queenstown.

Pretty countryside through the farms. More deer farms.

Through Athol - home of NZ Fly Fishing School. Across the Mataura River bridge - old suspension bridge.

Into the valley and continued alongside the river till Old Fairlight railway station. Looks like it has just been renovated but the gates were closed. A sign says the Kingston Flyer (1878) is ready to go again.

The Mataura River goes off to our left to where its source is in the mountains.

We continued up the valley of rocky pastures to Kingston - township at the southern end of a very long Lake Wakatipu. Nice views as we descend.

The road goes up the east side of the lake. Looking back at the ‘beach’.

Nice view from the first lookout.

Along the lake edge road. Next stop is Devils Staircase Lookout. Zoomed in back to Kingston.

View northward of the winding road.

Next stop at Halfway Bay, 16km from Kingston. View up the valley on the other side. I suppose in winter all these mountains would be covered in snow.

We can just make out the houses of Queenstown in the distance at the north end of Lake Wakatipu.

I think these mountains are part of The Remarkables.

Nice stone fence and sheep as we enter a housing area called Jacks Point.

It is 9am and we have hit a line-up of traffic. Stopped for a bit then we slowly crawled along. View of the Remarkable mountains on our right then passed the turn off up the ski area.

Moving a bit faster now as we approach the Kawarau River bridge with the rapids underneath.

Across we go. The water looks very blue. View across to the homes lining the hillside. The Kawarau River flows into Lake Wakatipu.

Into Frankston (est 1863) and found the traffic hold-up - road works at the main intersection and apparently just the morning traffic!

Left turn onto Frankton Road around the edge of the lake. Pulled into the Kjet base at a big marina to find out about booking a ride. Had to pay $1 to park. No one was in the office so we had a cuppa. Nice view back to The Remarkables.

Eventually someone turned up when a group arrived to go on the jet boats. The lady booked us in for 11am for the longer ride from in town. She suggested some spots for parking.

Headed along the edge of the lake with a mountainside full of homes on our right. Very narrow and busy road. Tried the first spot she suggested - no good so headed to a car park in town. Plenty of room. Paid for a couple of hours @ $6.50/hr.

View up to Bob’s Peak and the cleared area below Skyline cable car area.

Across the road is a huge tree by a heritage building. This Wellingtonia was planted in 1877 along with another one beside.

Headed down to the lake - over a quaint bridge over Horne Creek, built in 1882.

Down through the mall.

Statue of William Rees, founder of Queenstown. With his wife he settled here in 1861.

Regal looking hotel - no history info.

Map of the area - I notice the lake name is spelt with a Wh rather than Wa like I have seen on all the other maps.

Beautiful clear water though a tad windy which is a shame. At least it isn’t raining!

View up the hillside with lots of accommodation places.

Followed the path further around - nice view across the lake and to the steamer and wharf.

Some sculptures as we head back.

A chap and his dog were busking. He sang, not that well and the dog howled which he just stopped doing when I took the photo.