After our time in the geothermally active centre of the north island of New Zealand, we have now changed island. Queenstown is on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, we were there for new years eve and fireworks over the lake, and were fortunate enough to have rented a place with a glorious view.

We celebrated the new year with a hike up to the peak of Ben Lomond. The track leaves from Queenstown, which is at an altitude of about 300 metres, but you can take the first part on the gondola, up to about 800 metres. Then a fairly vigorous climb up to 1748 metres. The kids were finding it a bit tough at 1525 metres, so we stopped at an outcrop for a snack, then I carried on to the summit while they started the walk back with Annie.

The view from the top was stunning, with the New Zealand Alps and lakes laid out below.

Towards the end of the week we went to the north end of lake Wakatipu, to a village called Glenorchy, where there is a nature reserve, and a splendid view over to moutains topped with glaciers.