Day 16: Greenstone track

We were to have a small 13 km walk out to the carpark to catch the shuttle into Queenstown at 13:15. A group of 6 were staying in the same bunk room as us and catching the same shuttle. They elected to get up at 05:00 to start walking at 05:45. My earbuds were a much appreciated aqcuisition. We'd allowed an ample 5 hours to make it there, leaving at 08:15. Departing the hut, we found a super-highway of a walking track quite unlike anything that we'd yet been on. We would end up making it to the carpark in a little over 3 hours.

Shortly after leaving the hut, we were quite startled to find a cow coming toward us. Who was the most surprised between us and the cow was a matter for some debate. The cow would turn out to be a part of a mob of cattle, over a dozen in total. We tried what we could to get around them but there was not much hope for success.

So we had to herd this mob of cattle  some 3 km along the super highway before we'd reach a clearing at the small slip flat hut where we could finally get around them.

It was a stunningly sunny day, tramping alongside the beautiful Greenstone river. The weather and track conditions combined for some easy, pleasant walking... we think Rose quite enjoyed this part.

Along the way we encountered a few spectacular water falls.

As well as some grandeous swing bridges.

After reaching the carpark we realised that the Te Araroa actually goes a bit further... To the lakes edge. So we had lunch and set off on a 2 km road walk to get to Lake Whakatipu. There we still had over an hour to kill before the shuttle arrived, so the girls went for a swim.

We had a transfer at Glen Orchy, with an hour or so layover... a dumpling house provided second lunch. Then in Queenstown we had a wander about after checking in to the YHA and got some Malaysian for dinner.

Summary: