Wanaka and Arrowtown (New Zealand Part 29)

After the Haast Pass, we drove along Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, where it slowly cleared up.

At least during our photo stops, it stayed dry, although there were still some clouds in the sky.

When we arrived in Wanaka, the clouds became more and more, until it started pouring again. Since the weather forecast had warned us, we only wanted to visit the "Puzzling World".

In this exhibition there were rooms with various illusions, such as a crooked room. This one was built without windows, so you had the impression that the water was flowing upwards.

Of course, there were also well-known optical illusions.

In the café there were patience games and puzzles to test your logical thinking.

Finally, we walked through a large three-dimensional labyrinth, which was unfortunately set up outdoors. Since the rain had started again, we were soaked until we found all four corner towers and then the exit.

The next morning we drove to the center of Wanaka, where we went for a walk by the lake and enjoyed the alpine panorama.

Malte actually wanted to try parasailing, but when we called the company, they just told us that it wasn't possible today (even though all dates were still available on the internet). So we walked a little further around the lake.

Then we went to the "Wanaka Tree", a tree standing in the water. It was a bit smaller and less remarkable than we thought. But we recognized it by the many tourists standing on the shore taking pictures of it.

To get another view of Wanaka and the lakes, we hiked up Mount Iron, which is 525 meters high.

From the summit, you had a beautiful panoramic view.

We then drove along Highway 6 towards Queenstown and made another photo stop along the way.

The next morning, we visited Arrowtown. The gold mining town, where only 2000 people live today (and in the summer there are many more tourists), still looks charmingly old and keeps the historic facades hidden behind ugly signs or extensions.

Some old and reconstructed buildings in the Chinese settlement show how Asian gold miners lived in the 19th century.

Many came to New Zealand to search for gold and then return home rich.