South Island - New Zealand - Sunday 3rd April, 2016

Last night we had to set the clocks back an hour as daylight savings came to an end. This morning we awoke to clear skies but not long after leaving the caravan park it started raining. We stopped to have a look at Lake Hayes which looked very nice but due to the rain we couldn't get out. There were a number of people camping here even though it doesn't appear in the Freedom Camps and it looked like a good spot.  

By the time we arrived in Arrowtown it was pouring. We got out to try and check out the Chinese Village but it was raining to heavily to walk around, our feet and pants were become more saturated with every step. So we went to the bakery and had a coffee before tramping around this beautiful old town. It's old buildings and slate lined footpaths were fantastic to look at. When we left town it had stopped raining and all that remained were the puddles.

From there we drove out to the Kawarau Bridge, the home of A J Hackett Bungy. We stopped in and watched a dozen or so people taking the 43 metre leap of faith off the bridge towards the river below. It looked like great fun but at $195 per person not something a few of us could have afforded on this trip so no one did it. Next time when we are back here without kids, maybe.

We continued on to Roaring Meg which was some Rapids on the river and stopped to take some pictures and have a bite to eat for lunch in the parking area.

Then we made our way to Wanaka, checked out the i-site for information about walks and bike rides and did some shopping. Back in the car and west to the Diamond Lake car park near the base of Mt Aspiring. We walked up the mountains to the Diamond Lake viewing area and then onwards to the Lake Wanaka viewing area. The views were once again sensational.

Tonight we have set up camp in the car park, which is the only free camp in the area, providing you are self sufficient; eg: have a toilet. There are probably another 12 or so carmper vans/mobile homes outside.