New Zealand - South Island - Part 2 - Wanaka

Stunning Wanaka

New Zealand has been a great place to visit, but it wasn't until we reached Wanaka that we felt at home.  I could definitely live here.

There are ridgelines to scramble everywhere...this is visible from where we stayed on the edge of Wanaka (Albert Town)

The view from downtown Wanaka with Mount Aspiring in the background

A short hike up Iron Mountain for the sunset

This is from Isthmus Peak, but there are views like this from any of dozens of mountains
(this isn't even the same lake as the picture above)

Canyoning Mill Creek

Canyoning in New Zealand means lots of water.  We descended Mill Creek, which definitely pushed our freak-out threshold on big jumps.

Alex, Mike, and Katie in the picture - let's go!

Ok, maybe we didn't test Katie's freak-out threshold

Alex thinking there is a lot more water than the slot canyons at home!

Mike hoping the bottom is deeper than it looks

Katie descending into the wash cycle

Keri is either smiling or gritting her teeth from the cold water

Katie approaching terminal velocity on the big slide

Katie replaying how she pitched forward off the big slide and face-planted into the water

Keri going for a sideways re-entry

Mike looking down at the 45 foot jump with a scary rock slab extending out at the bottom.
Check out the video below to see the whole drop!

Katie taking the smart way down the big jump - which also shows the rock slab sticking out.

Alex styling another one of the drops

A gorgeous canyon when it wasn't trying to kill us

Katie in perfect straight position

The last grotto and into the sunlight

The view from the start / end of the canyon isn't bad either

Video of Mill Creek

Here is a video of our descent down Mill Creek:

Mount Aspiring National Park / Rob Roy Glacier

There are years of tracks to follow and peaks to climb in Mount Aspiring National Park.  These pictures are from a short hike to views of the Rob Roy Glacier.

Mount Edward rising above the Matukituki River

The real-world version of Rivendell

Keri searching for elves

The bare rock shows the extent of glaciers receding

Climbing Wanaka

Beneath the giant peaks, there are a bunch of fun crags near Wanaka.

Katie...climbing?

Katie...climbing

It seems like Alex can skip half the holds when he climbs now

Blue Pools

Another road in Mount Aspiring National Park leads to more spectacular views and rivers.

The Makarora River

I've lost count of all of the picture-perfect rivers and peaks we've seen on the South Island

The New Zealand kereru

Katie said this area was the real-world "FernGully" 

The Blue Pools

A few more pictures from Wanaka

It's crazy how much Katie has grown on this trip

Alex and Katie took a wrong turn

There are red deer and American Elk in farms all over for the venison and "velvet"

Keri checking out the quality of New Zealand health care.
Verdict:  Excellent - fast, competent, inexpensive, and very little paperwork