We couldn't do the Rob Roy glacier walk on Sunday because of the weather but we did walk up Rocky Mountain via Diamond Lake. At the top there was a magnificent 360ยบ view of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains and valleys - very reminiscent of our Lake District at home. It was a Sunday but so quiet and we had the summit to ourselves for the half hour we were up there. We plan to drive back through Wanaka on our way to the West Coast region so have our fingers crossed for good weather so we can stop and do the hike.
As we had time we decided to drive on towards Fjordland and last night we 'freedom camped'. All of the townships ban freedom camping within the towns but it is permitted at picnic sites along the roads if the camper is 'self contained' (ie waste water is held in a tank). We stopped by a lake and there were 2 other vans with us overnight- far enough away but safety in numbers. It was quiet and very dark. Without going into too much detail it was a challenge for us as we only have a small portaloo so there was a bit of giggling and headtorch lights bobbing around in the darkness at bedtime!
The sandflys are a real nuisance in this area - the females bite. So we get in the van, shut the door quickly and spend the first few minutes swotting.
Today we drove to Manapouri via Te Anau. We have booked a day cruise in Doubtful Sound leaving very early tomorrow morning. We are on a tiny campsite tonight but it has facilities - including a proper loo.
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