Ettrick — Alexandra — Cromwell — Arrowtown — Queenstown, 31st October, 2025.

 Big day today leaving Ettrick at 8.30am. Had a comfortable night in the Honey Cottage 🍯 very cosy. When we left there it was low cloud cover over the mountains. But fortunately  didn’t take long to lift. It was cooler early this morning, but as soon as that sun came out it really warmed up quickly. What a great day, clear blue  skies all day. Leaving Ettrick we headed up to Alexandra. Through Cromwell then onto Arrowtown. A lot to fit in, in one day but we did it arriving in Queenstown at 3.30pm. Now in Queens loo town for two nights.

First stop was the Cutha River power station.

Looking down over the power station.

Cutha River power station note at the end of the video you can see the low clouds.

Heading up to Alexandra through the Teviot Valley. We have had beautiful changing scenery since we left Invercargill,

Snow covered mountains.

After all the green fields we now have rocky land. 

Lots of rocks scattered in the fields.

We have now arrived in Alexandra. PT and The Machine.

The Alexandra Bridge crossing over the Clutha River.

Crossed over the bridge and went down to see the remains of Alexandra’s old historic Bridge. The Clutha is the second longest and swiftest river in NZ with dangerous currents and eddies.  Back in the day countless men and horses drowned trying to cross it. Hence the building of the old historic Bridge.

Old photo showing what the old bridge looked like in its day. I think I read it was just for horse and carts. Very narrow.

Driving through Alexandra township, small but well worth the visit.

We have now arrived in Clyde. Quaint little Catholic Church. Very pretty.

Now driving through the very old Clyde township.

Just out of town we stopped at the Clyde Dam power station.

The bridge crossing over the Clutha River in Clyde.

Now heading out of Clyde

On our way to Cromwell.

Going though the Cromwell Gorge.  Still going along the side of the Clutha River.

Going through the gorge. On the other side of the Clutha is where part of the NZ Cycle trails run.  We saw several cyclists on the trail and some of it is quite steep. 

As we approached Cromwell we stopped at the lookout looking down over the town. 

Looking over the township. A beautiful area very pretty. 

First stop was to visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct Such a treasure to the town.

Standing by one of the Heritage Buildings looking down the Clutha.

The old bakery.

Getting ready for the Melbourne Cup

This is definitely Cromwell.

We were fascinated by this schist stone wall in the village. Especially how they have stood the stone  vertically.  Set off by the lovely lavender.

Can just see the corner of the bakery where we had lunch. We sat out in the sun and enjoyed the atmosphere.

 ‘The Stream that Roared’

Took this video to hear the roar.

The turbulent stream that both drives this small power station and merges with the Kawarau River.

Now our drive through the Kawarau Gorge winery country.

 

Typical winding gorge.

Our last town to see today is a real cutie, ☺️ Arrowtown.

The street of shops. All the new spring growth on the trees. 

Walkabout through Arrowtown 

And the blossoms are out

Came down this street to visit the local IGA to get some supplies for dinner. To take back and cook in our cabin tonight. So many snow capped mountain tops around.

This is our cabin for two nights in Queenstown. Our car tucked up beside us.

Very small but suits us fine for two nights. Staying at the Top Ten Holiday Park. Our first and only holiday park cabin we are staying in on this trip.

We do have a bathroom tucked in beside the kitchen.

A last photo for the day taken from the holiday park. Our Cabin is behind me.

The end of a very interesting long day which we both really enjoyed.  Tomorrow we will just hang around Queenstown for the day. A quieter day for us and no long drive. 😎

Auckland — Invercargill— Ettrick. 30th October, 2025

We stayed out near Auckland airport last night to make it easier to avoid the morning traffic rush. Flight was due to leave 9.35am  Sitting in the plane for an hour before take off so hence  making it nearly a three hour trip to Invercargill. Not a good Start. Once we got underway we had a good flight excellent crew. Fine weather so we could see land below. When descending the winds were very strong and making it a very bumpy landing. Captain still did a good landing. The delay getting away was something to do with a data issue. Great weather on arrival apart from the wind. Wasn’t even cold probably warmer than Auckland. We picked up our rental car and got on the road heading north through Gore up to a small place Ettrick where we are having one night. It’s a half way point between Invercargill and Queenstown where we are heading to tomorrow. You will say why go that way. That’s because we have travelled the two alternative routes on previous trips so something different. Also tomorrow we will go through Alexandra Cromwell and Arrowtown stopping at these three places before finishing up in Queenstown.

 

Great flight down snow on the top of the mountains

 

Those are mountain tops down there not all clouds.

Passing through Gore

Some of the tree stumps left behind after the high winds

 Smaller trees that fell. We did see some massive trees that had fallen but didn’t get a chance to take a photo 

Lots and lots of spring lambs in the fields.

Beautiful countryside such a lovely drive through these lush farms.

Lovely scenery in this part of the country. But saying that the whole of the South Island is fantastic.

Continuing along our road trip

We have now arrived in Ettrick staying at this place  on a honey farm. The cottage is called Honey cottage.

Sitting inside looking out over the fields. So quiet and peaceful apart from the howling winds sweeping across. Couldn’t have the bi-fold doors open. The wind just about blew me off the balcony, amazing.

The round shape is a hot tub. Didn’t use it would’ve drowned in it with the high winds.

The farm next door which belongs to the owners brother.

Inside of the cottage

Bed is high from the floor even had a step to get up into it. Might feel a little strange tonight.

 Well that’s our first day after a few issues with my blog giving me some grief doing odd things. Photos that wouldn’t centre and other strange things.  Nearly gave up on it. Just another challenge in the day. Along with a few other things, like delayed flights, rental car pickup which I won’t go into. Apart from that it’s been a great day driving through this beautiful part of the country just stunning.