Even though the day started out as overcast, with mist and fine drizzling rain, we ventured out anyway, hoping to make the best of the day. 

Braving the misty morning:

First we went along the Glenorchy-Queenstown road to Gill’s Point. Here the hillside overlooking Wakatipu Lake, was full of undergrowth and ferns. I suppose that is why the residential area further up the hillside is called Fernhill. 

Then going back into Queenstown and up George road, we came across an old bridge. Straight after the bridge, we turn left, downwards off the road.  

Going down into a gully, we realized we would have to choose a parking, from the several parking tiers lining the hillside below the main road. 

We discovered the place housed a sports club, where speed river rafting was presently taking place, alongside it. It seems this town was no `sleepy hollow'!!

The river rafting club area: 

We walked to a high lookout point close to the old bridge. Here we discovered the old bridge that we had passed over, majestically spanned a very deep chasm, where the river rafting jet boats went under, up and down the river. 

Then walking down to the club house area, I took more photos of the surroundings. 

And hiking back up to our car, we left.  

And driving further along the main road again, we somehow landed up exploring a very high mountain. 

Exploring the unknown was fun:

The higher we got up the strange mountain, mist occurred and got thicker. With the narrow twisting sandy road and the thick mist, my adrenaline started to kicked in. Truly, our way-out venture up that mountain was thrilling and exciting, all in itself! 

Don’t ask me where that mystery mountain was, or what it was called. But it must have been on the way to Arrowtown, because that is where got to next, after we left the mountain. 

The bustle of Arrowtown:

This town was full of very interesting little shops. You could see it was hosted especially for tourists. Each shop had something different to see and buy. I didn’t buy anything, I was too fascinated by what I saw and trying to keep up with the rest of the family. 

Here are some of the photos our son took of the place. You can see he loves old cars and strange old machinery!

And on the way back to our lodgings in Queenstown,

We stopped and took photos of this scenery:

When you go on a trip like this, it is fun not knowing what you will find next.

Next day we tramped into Queenstown itself… but that you will hear about with my next New Zealand blog…