Day 20: Franz Josef to Wanaka: So Many Stops
Today was another big drive day. We debated staying in Haast to break up the drive, but we decided to push through and spend two nights in Wanaka. Google Maps said it was a four-hour drive from Franz Josef to Wanaka, but we planned 10 stops along the way, so it ended up being nine hours instead.
First up: Lake Matheson, a 1.5 hour walk and “most photographed lake in NZ”, with views of Mt Cook
Knights Point Lookout was the lunch stop for today.
On our way to our next planned stop, we passed these amazing beaches, which turned out to be Ship Creek Area. Knowing it would likely be our last ocean beach in New Zealand, it seemed well worth the stop. The stop filled their buckets, and the kids were able to release their long car ride wiggles. Rob and the boys even saw some dolphins from the shore.
Next, Roaring Billy Falls, a 0.9 mile round trip to this gem of a waterfall, including crossing a river bed.
After that, Thunder Creek Falls, only a 5-minute walk from road.
At this point, if we headed directly to our hotel, we’d arrive around 6 p.m. but we had one more stop we wanted to do: Blue Pools. It was a 2 mile hike which included blue waters and suspension bridges. We are all so glad we made the stop.
Most of the other stops were just quick looks out the car window at roadside scenery.
We finally arrived in Wanaka (or more accurately Albert Town), our destination for the night. We rented a townhouse, and the boys loved that it’s a two story place. Rob found the takeaway food for the night and it ended up being in the same parking lot as our place, which was amazing, since we were all tired and hungry. Before I was back with dinner, he had already started laundry, and the dishwasher was going right after dinner. We really appreciate these amenities even more now!
We gave Nicholas some melatonin and extra bedtime snuggles, hoping for our first full night’s rest for everyone in nearly two weeks. Nicholas has been battling the sleep struggles, Cooper is still nursing a snotty nose cold, Rob has been struggling with bad seasonal allergies this whole trip, and I am looking forward to getting more rest. Spirits are still high, and the adventures have been top notch, but being able to kick these little things too would make things a bit smoother and more enjoyable.