So we decided on Wanaka for the final week of our big New Zealand trip. We knew we liked it as a place, and feeling pretty exhausted by this point, a place we could relax. Whilst we were here the first snows arrived on the tops!
We got an Air B&B house with a garden and set about having a few easier days.
The Bike
There are some great bike tracks that run along the lakeside, and some mountain bike tracks that connect up with them.
Evie has taken to bringing her helmet to me to indicate that she wants to go out on the bike, and if she can’t go on the bike, she also loves riding the washing basket!
We went off a few times along these lovely paths with great views and even had a go at one of the tracks but we had to go super slow so she wasn’t bouncing all over the place.
On one track we came across this little hedgehog that was collapsing. 
We fed it some of Evie’s milk which it stood on its hind legs and caught the drops, and left it some food in the hope it survives (to later discover they are considered pests in New Zealand).
Rob Roy Glacier
Up over 30km of gravel road and through a couple of fords, 
you arrive at the car park for the Rob Roy glacier track and the Mt Hutt track.
With beautiful views even driving to the car park, it’s a walk that remains spectacular throughout.
Over a swing bridge and up through forest. 
There are a couple of impressive rock overhangs that you wouldn’t want to walk underneath at the wrong moment.
A river with massive boulders.
An impressively high waterfall
And then the beautiful glacier. Here Evie demonstrates her new mountaineering skills clambering over rocks 
and along footpaths, showing utter determination at ever stumble!
Back down, noting the geology of the mountainsides, more lovely scenery.
It’s clearly exhausting!
Swimming 
Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea are beautiful lakes to swim in. Absolutely crystal clear, a refreshing dip in these is a must if you love swimming.
The Blue Pools
An hours drive from Wanaka, these were not (in our opinion) worth driving to. Stopping at if you are headed along this road up the west coast then definitely yes.
They are about a 10 minute walk from the road, but the are stunning – the water clarity is something else again.
To make matters worse for our long drive out, this is one of the only, and the worst places, where we have terrorised by sandflies! Enough that all you wanted to do was get back to the safety of the car.
Mt Iron
A short walk just on the edge of Wanaka up a small hill. However, although the hill is small, the 360 degrees panorama is big with great views all around.
Wanaka town
A small and touristy town sitting at the end of the lake, with a gorgeous backdrop, 
some nice cafes to sit and enjoy the view from and lots of outdoor shops. There were also parks and a great skateboard park – this was Evie’s favourite place to hang out in town!
Around the world with Evie Bean 