#NewZealand17 Franz Josef to Queenstown - Roadtrip day 3

After a day off from driving, we departed early from Franz Josef,to Lake Matheson, less than an hour's scenic drive south. Everything was scenic here. The mountains were gorgeous and relentless. The rivers were cloudy with rock flour or stunningly blue, and the vegetation varied from for trees to palm trees, all filled in with prehistoric ferns and mosses.

Lake Matheson is famed for its perfect reflection of Mount Cooking it's still, moody waters. However, when we arrived, it was rippling so much that you couldn't see any reflection at all, so we didn't hang around long before returning to the road. It was exciting to get our first glimpse of Mt Cook - New Zealand's biggest mountain though.

I only thought to use my camera phone on the walk back to the carpark.

We carried on driving for about another hour or two before coming to signs for a salmon farm. I was driving and jokingly asked Blake if he fancied it. He called my bluff, so we popped in for a quick smoke (them, not me) and a salmony breakfast. 

As we ate we were joined by the couple who had shared our helicopter ride the day before! It was a bit strange, but there are so few roads in New Zealand, it's not really surprising to find yourself making the exact same journey as someone else!

We also spotted a white heron, who was eyeing up the salmon!

We continued on until we were struck by more spectacular scenery. I couldn't tell you where this mountain river was, and there were hundreds like it, but it was so beautiful we had to stop, have a smoke, and I scrambled down to the bottom because I couldn't think of a good reason not to, and then had a lot of fun climbing back up on all fours.

Spot the Sophie.

Finally we arrived at Wanaka. I had heard great things about this place, and in hindsight I regret not spending longer here. A huge, beautiful lake surrounded by mountains was what set this town apart from its neighbours, and I bought all my postcards here. We had planned to trek mount iron, I had done some research into it and it would be my first proper hike of the trip, but after all our breaks, we simply didn't have time, especially as Blake was keen to get to Queenstown ASAP to meet his friends.

I took some selfies whilst we had a quick supermarket lunch, and we were soon back on the road.

We arrived in Queenstown quite early, and checked into another Sir Cedric's hostel, this one was a pod hostel, and without question the nicest of the whole trip. Free breakfast, soup, popcalorn, Netflix, genuinely comfy private beds in capsules (so no creepy faces in the middle of the night!), and lovely staff.

I joined the boys for one drink in town before heading back, refuelling the car, and buying breakfast items in preparation for a big day tomorrow...