The last week in November I had to fly to Queenstown for work and decided to spend the weekend exploring the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand. After my meetings finished on Saturday I made my way through town to the Ben Lomond track.
After weaving my way through the crowds on the lakefront, I found the track that would take me up towards Ben Lomond. I followed the walking track as it wound up through the forest, getting only the occasional glimpse of the lake. I eventually came to the bush line and could see the peak ahead of me in the distance.
It was hard to get a sense of perspective but the trail climbed steadily through the tussock grass and the ever changing views made for a pleasant walk. After reaching the grassy saddle, the track started to climb much more steeply towards the summit. As I made my way along the rocky ridge, the clouds started to build and the wind had picked up a little too.
I made it to the top and was able to enjoy the 360 degree panorama of the mountains spread out around me. From the snow-capped mountains in the distance to the more rolling hills around Moke Lake it was great to just sit and watch the changing light over the landscape that seemed to be laid out beneath me.
From my perch on the summit I could also see back down the valley towards Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu some 1,400 metres (over 4,500 feet) below me.
Sitting up on the top of the mountain it was hard to imagine how hectic the town of Queenstown is. Even the lake looked peaceful from here as the sound of the jet boats, jet boarders and other water craft didn’t carry this far.
In addition to a few other hikers, I was joined at the top by a couple of curious Kea. This pair of naughty Alpine Parrots were keen to attack any unguarded rucksack in the hopes for finding some food, and managed to pull the map out of the side pocket of my rucksack when my back was turned!
After retrieving my map, I left the Kea to their games, I started making my way back down towards Queenstown. The track followed an old water pipeline that used to provide water for the town before briefly being converted into a hydro electrical system. As the track wove down through the forest, it would cross parts of the abandoned pipeline, parts of which were simply abandoned alongside the track.
On my was back through Queenstown to my hotel, I made a quick stop at our favourite ice cream shop. We normally stop and get ice cream and sorbet from the Wanaka shop, but I was very happy to see that they had a place on my route back through town.
After dinner, I went back to my hotel and spent the evening watching the light change over the mountains and the boats darting around on Lake Wakatipu. Being tucked away around the peninsula from the main town meant that I got to enjoy a peaceful evening well away from the hustle and bustle of the town.
The next morning before my flight back to Christchurch, I took the trail along the edge of the lake back into town. The early morning cloud was just starting to lift from Ben Lomond far in the distance.
After picking up some lunch, I found a spot by the lake to sit and watch the world go by. From jet boats, to the historic Earnslaw steamer it felt like the entire town was buzzing. Although the lake and mountains are really beautiful in this part of New Zealand, Queenstown is definitely a bit busy for me!