Day 301 (Fri 4 May) - Lake Wanaka

Set our alarms really early and by 7am we were driving out of the campsite towards Lake Matheson. We wanted to get to the lake before the sun rose.

It was only a short journey to the lake and when we arrived the sun started to lighten up the sky with a reddy glow. It was pretty cold and misty so we wrapped up warm and headed towards the lake. As we walked around we could see the sun on mountains. Stunning view.

We virtually sprinted round the lake to the magical place where the mountains are reflected in the lake. When we had been at the same place a few days before we hadn't been able to see the snow capped mountains as it had been too cloudy but today it was clear. It was breathtaking. We stood and soaked in the fabulous view for ages and only left when we realised how cold we were getting.

Tried to take a photo of the four of us by mountains before heading back to the car park and feasting on a fry up in the cafe - delicious.

Then set off down highway 6 towards Haast. Haast was a major disappointment - there was nothing there! Continued through Haast Pass, through the Southern Alps. The scenery was spectacular.

As we were coming near to Wanaka we drove past Lake Hawea and then onto Lake Wanaka. The colours especially along by the lakes were amazing. The sky and lakes were of such vivid blues and the trees were rustic browns and reds.

Drove into Lake Wanaka and checked into the Aspiring Campervan Park. Although not on the lake, as we had wanted, it at least had good views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Walked into Lake Wanaka and stopped at a pub where we had the best ever ploughmans lunch. It was enourmous and had every sort of meat, cheese, bread and pickle you could want.

Afterwards Keith and Sarb went off to burn photos onto CD whilst Jo and Ruth braved the local supermarket. Laidened down with shopping we all made our way back to the campsite.

Were too stuffed to have dinner after our ploughmans so settled for a few glasses of wine instead.