New Zealand > Te Anau in Fjordland

Because we decided to take the Milford Sound boat trip tomorrow, today is a relatively relaxed day. We cross the street for breakfast. We have plenty of time today, and apparently so does the staff here—it takes quite a while before our breakfast arrives. At half past ten, we leave Queenstown. We follow the other side of Lake Wakatipu, which also offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Today is cloudier than yesterday, and it probably won’t stay dry. At the end of the lake lies the village of Kingston. In the past, this was the terminus of the railway used by gold prospectors to reach the area. The railway is no longer in use, and the café in the former station building is closed—it’s for sale.

New Zealand - The abandoned station at Kingston

In another café on Main Street, we order coffee. We follow the mountain road toward Te Anau. Just before Te Anau, we turn off toward Manapouri. Manapouri sits on the lake of the same name, with the mountains behind it disappearing into the mist. Te Anau is the base for many tourists visiting Milford Sound, as it has the last accommodations before the 120-kilometer-long Milford Sound Road, which offers very few overnight options. When we arrive at Te Anau Lodge, a note is already waiting for us. We have apartment 2, and the key is in the door. Everything is straightforward. It’s still early afternoon. In the cottage, there’s a description of a walk around Mistletoe Lake. We drive there and follow the trail, which offers views of the lake. About an hour later, as we return to the car, it starts to rain. We’re just in time—the rain intensifies as soon as we get in. We drive back to Te Anau in the rain to do some grocery shopping. It’s still raining when we return to the apartment.