After a very good night’s sleep, we were awoken at 7.45 by the alarm to the most glorious day, sun shining but as normal not yet very warm. A quick shower, change and breakfast for us and a slower emptying of waste and grey water and refilling of fresh water for Mabel and we were off for our first stop…… The Shotover Jetboat ride.

Oh wow, what can we say, what fabulous weather to do it in and it was fab and no CAS. It was 25 mins of travelling up to 90km down the Shotover riverbed at the bottom of a gorge with multiple 360 degrees turns, the driver went soo close to the rocks I can’t believe we didn’t hit them. Great fun!

So back on the road heading to Te Anau.  Lots of photo stops alongside Lake Wakatipu and then we stopped at a teeny weeny town called Kingston, that I imagine everyone actually drives past. We parked up right at the lakes edge, had a bite to eat for lunch and then stripped off (and put swimwear on!) for a quick dip. Well I had an actual swim, Dave ducked under the water, said how cold it was and got out. NB every road is named after places in the UK, Cambridge, Oxford, Kent, Hampshire etc. I think I would definitely stop here for a night if we return. 

We continued onto Te Anau, stopping occasionally for pictures and in Mossburn to refuel Mabel (cheapest diesel to date!) 

Arriving at the campsite around 5.30, we plugged Mabel in and went straight out for a walk around part of Lake Te Anau (couldn’t do all of it as it’s the second largest in NZ, largest on the south island). Having worked up a thirst after walking 5km, we stopped for a drink whilst trying to decide where to have dinner. We eventually decided on Thai at the aptly named Thai Anau where we checked our plans and timings for tomorrow.

A quick walk back to Mabel and we got everything packed for tomorrow’s activities.

Total distance 202 kms (125 miles)