Te Anau Fiordland Tues-Jan-26

Left Queenstown at 10AM driving south along Lake Wakatiu to Kingston on route to Te Anau. A quick stop in Kingston to calm our nerves from the ‘scenic’ drive and see their Flyer! The drive was along a twisting road with drop-offs into the lake and bordered by mountains on our left. On some of the hairpin turns we felt as if we were careening out-of-control. We had 4 drivers in the car instead of one –> Tom, the calm one, doing an excellent job. The scenery was also excellent!
At Kingston we stopped at the pier to admire the lake view; a pebbly beach, a good wharf and pleasure craft enjoying the sunshine on the lake. The Kingston Flyer, a historic steam train dating back to 1878 when it serviced the gold fields on wooden lines is quiet today, awaiting the results of a mortgage auction. Railway cars rested on sidings were parked near the original train station, dating back to the early 1950s providing a look at 1st & 2nd class comforts! You could post letters onboard but it would cost; “mail requires additional one-cent postage for being late” the sign said! We were tempted by cappuccinos before continuing our journey. Good coffee!
From Kingston to Te Anau we drove through a flat fertile valley with “lots” of sheep farms. The road was straight with distance visibility – a welcome change. Rocks littered fields; stone fences still used as borders. Lichen on the larger rocks reminded me of NL & Ireland. Second to sheep were deer farms, followed by cattle. The scenery was picturesque. Arriving in Te Anau, we picnic lakeside with its sparkling blue waters and backdrop the Fiordland National Park Kepler Mountains.
We then searched for our hotel; Garden Park, 30 Lakeshore Drive. Easy enough? No street numbers on buildings & a name change – not sure if we were more relieved or annoyed when Jodie at reception said we had arrived! The units were old, musty and at the extreme end of the grounds! Not a particularly great start! Tom told her she had to do better or we were moving on. Sometimes it pays to let someone know you are not willing to take what nobody else wants! She moved us to newer, brighter rooms with spas & nice gardens. Once again we are surrounded by flowers!
Te Anau is a nice lakeside town. While it is a tourist town it doesn’t feel like a tourist town. You are not gouged wherever you go and there are no tacky shops and video arcades. Fishing & “flight seeing” appear to be hot ticket items, especially to explore Milford Sound. We bought cruise tickets for 10AM tomorrow to keep ahead of the bus tours; a 7AM start for a drive through more mountains. Summer-end sales are in the stores; Liz & Helen found some great bargains! Today is Helen’s birthday. Tonight we ate lamb at Distinction Luxmore Hotel’s the Bailiez to celebrate. A very good meal for a very fine day!