We set off from Queenstown on day 18 headed towards Mt Cook. It is possible to do the 3 1/2 hours (272km) journey in a day. But we weren’t in a hurry and wanted to stop at one of the south island’s most beloved ski regions, Cardrona, before night stopping at Lake Wanaka.
As we climbed out of Queenstown we just had to stop for photos. It was a beautiful clear day with views that stretched as far as Queenstown airport.
Flanked by mountains either side, it gave a fabulous perspective of why our arrival into Queenstown airport, a few days early, had felt so dramatic.
Lush green vallies and hillsides, now bereft of snow, stretched before us as we drove the spectacular Crown Range Road towards Cardrona.
Cardrona
After just under an hour the road flattened out and we entered the small township of Cardrona to stop at its most famous spot, The Cardrona Hotel.
One of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic hotels, it looked just as it must have appeared to its’ first visitors when it opened in 1863. Cardrona was settled in the 1860’s during the gold rush and the hotel was one of four built as a result. By the 1890’s the population had completely dwindled and many of the had businesses relocated to nearby Wanaka, then called Pembroke.
In 1926 the hotel was purchased by James Patterson, known locally as ‘Jimmy’. He was famous for refusing to serve alcohol to patrons who he knew were about to drive the treacherous, local, winter roads. Jimmy also preferred not to serve alcohol to women, nonetheless he remained the hotel’s owner until his death in 1961. Since then it has had several owners and underwent significant renovations in 2002. As a historic, listed building, great care was taken to preserve the hotel’s authenticity. Inside it feels like time has stood still, wonderfully preserved and clearly much loved, you feel as if you’d stepped through a portal back in time.
This charming, 17 suite hotel is open year round and 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving traditional pub food with locally grown produce.
A legendary après-ski spot in the winter and the perfect base to explore the beautiful central Otago region the rest of the year. Visitors come from across the continents as shown by all the different currencies pasted to one of the ceilings! If you want to stay here you need to book early, it’s a very popular spot and is considered to be the most photographed pub in New Zealand.
The Cardrona Whisky Distillery
A few minutes beyond the hotel sits The Cardrona Whisky Distillery. Nestled on the main road, just below the ski resort, this grey stone building looked as if it had been whisked away from the Scottish Highlands and was reminiscent of our trip to the Scottish island Islay, home to peaty whiskies such as Laphroaig. The Cardonra Distillery was established in 2011 by Desiree Reid, who was determined to make a reputable, New Zealand, single malt whisky. After two years of extensive research and travel, Desiree sold her farm and moved to nearby Wanaka. On November 5, 2015, she was ready to lay the first cask.
Water is sourced from Alvin’s well, fed by the flanks of Mount Cardrona and named after Desiree’s father who built the well. There was lots to taste, not only whiskey but vodka and gin.
As you leave the distillery car park you can’t miss the wall of bras, donated in support of NZ Breast Cancer, a little different, but all for a great cause!
Wanaka
The township of Wanaka is just 20km further away.
Sat beside the stunning Lake Wanaka and yet more breathtaking vineyard views. Wanaka offers plenty of accommodation restaurants, shops, hiking and vineyards to visit.
Rippon Winery
I think it would be hard to find a vineyard anywhere offering as stunning a view as those at Wanaka’s Rippon Winery
The winery is open to the public, you can drive up to it and marvel at the location but reservations are required for tastings.
Sadly we didn’t have enough time but we enjoyed the spectacle by Lake Wanaka none the less.
Lake Hawea
Another 15km on we stopped for the night at Lake Hawea.
A much quieter spot than its neighboring Lake Wanaka, without shops and apart from a café, at the wonderfully stocked, tiny grocery shop, the only other restaurant option was at the motel where we were staying. It was another breathtaking spot for hiking biking, water activities and connecting with the outdoors.
We hiked the northern perimeter, laughing at this little bit of whimsy from local dog lovers!
We watched the sun dip below the distant hills as the sky became kissed with pink just before dusk.
Dinner was a simple affair but an early night was in order, tomorrow we were headed for Mt Cook.
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