• About
  • Contact
  • Contact Us

Follow my adventures at @cheryltaysg!

  • Home
  • Cars
  • Motorsports
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Lifestyle
  • Photography
  • About
  • Contact

New Zealand: Postcards from Wanaka

0 Comment
 03 Dec 2015   Posted by Cheryl Tay


Wanaka is just over an hour’s drive from Queenstown, easily accessible by highway or you can choose to go through the mountainous Crown Range Road, which offers this view.

CTT_9507

Wanaka, like Queenstown, is great in the winter and the summer. Located in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand, it is just over an hour’s drive from Queenstown and sits at the southern end of Lake Wanaka. It is also known as the gate to Mount Aspiring National Park, which holds several mountains and glaciers, making for a pretty backdrop in photos.

What I did in Wanaka:

1) Rob Roy Glacier Walk

We met our guide Chris Riley from Eco Wanaka Tours at the marina car park at 9am, where we left our car and took his van into the Matukituki valley. The one-hour drive through several fords had a lot of scenic photo opportunities and Chris would gladly stop for you to get out and take more shots. We then arrived at the Raspberry Creek car park, where we left the vehicle and packed our backpacks before starting the walk.

The Rob Roy Glacier guided walk starts through this farmland filled with sheep and the trek into the alpine rainforest begins at the swing bridge that crosses the West Matukituki river. The entire walk to the highest lookout point and back takes about five hours, so please make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, as well as enough water and food. There are fresh streams along the way you can refill your bottle with, and there is one public toilet booth you can use. The climb up can get quite tiring, with steep inclines, but there are relatively flat areas for you to catch your breath on.

Along the way, Chris pointed out many photo spots to us, so we used that as rest stops too. Chris, 57, is a very experienced guide (and a legend!) and has trekked this particular path at least 100 times. He is so familiar with every tree, flower and rock, and he knew the best spots to get photos, taking us down to the river and all that. He is also super fit, walking quicker than us even though he had a heavier backpack!

Chris is also very proud of the fact that there is nowhere else in the world, except Nepal, where you can get a view like that with lush greenery set against glaciers with just a 2.5-hour walk up. A picnic lunch was prepared for us, at the top of the hill, complete with hot tea. (All from the huge backpack he was carrying!)

The walk down was a lot faster, but by the end of it all, my feet were a little sore from all that trekking! We tried chasing some sheep for photos in the farmland area, before getting back to the car park. It was 5.30pm by the time we got back to our car in Wanaka.

There are other tours by Eco Wanaka Tours which might interest you, such as the cruise to the Mou Waho Island nature reserve – a one-hour bush walk will take you to this lake at the top of the island. So, you will get a photo of a lake against the big Lake Wanaka! You get to plant a tree as part of this experience too. Then there are also the heli-hikes to the Alpine Lakes or Misty Mountains – heli-hikes mean taking a helicopter up to the mountains, before a short hike. They have special guided walks for places where the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies were filmed too.

Tip: Use a backpack – I would advise against sling bags or carrying anything in your hands. Bring a jacket just in case you feel cold at certain parts of the route, but after all the climbing, you would end up perspiring and not needing it.

Price: min. 2 adults; adults NZ$275, child (under 16) NZ$185
Time: 9am to 5.30pm
Website: www.ecowanaka.co.nz

CTT_0168

CTT_0154

CTT_9679

CTT_9708

CTT_0067

CTT_9759

CTT_9818

CTT_9885

CTT_0034

CTT_9911

CTT_9919

CTT_0019

CTT_0150

CTT_9563

CTT_0233

CTT_9572

CTT_0202

CTT_0205

2) Wild Hills Safari with Ridgeline Adventures

This is the best way to experience the roads less travelled in Wanaka. Riding in a 4WD from Ridgeline Adventures, our guide Mark picked us up from our accommodation and took us to a private high country farm that is the size of 85 football fields. This farm is not open to public, but Ridgeline Adventures has exclusive access to it.

We got to see farming life and we could get near cattle, sheep, horses and even alpacas in their natural environment, set against a backdrop of beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks and glaciers. This farm has been around for over 100 years and it is so big, we barely even covered a third of it in our four hours there.

Mark drove us to a viewpoint at the top overlooking Lake Wanaka – an exclusive view because no one else is allowed here. It was so quiet and peaceful up there, and Mark made us some hot tea, as well as had cookies and other snacks if we were hungry. After, we walked down through the meadows for a while, before Mark drove us to the beach where Wanaka’s first farmers stayed.

This trip is not physically demanding at all, as we were mostly driven around. The ride can get a bit bumpy, but nothing we cannot handle.

Tip: Bring colourful shawls or jackets to stand out in photos against the blue and green hues.

Price: Adult, NZ$225; Child (up to 15 years), NZ$125
Website: www.ridgelinenz.com

CTT_9684

CTT_9566

CTT_9601

CTT_9609

CTT_9676

CTT_9705

CTT_9724

CTT_9765

CTT_9786

CTT_9816

CTT_9897

CTT_9931

CTT_9556

CTT_9530

3) Explore Lake Wanaka’s photo points

There are Insta-worthy spots around Lake Wanaka, such the Wanaka Tree (see below) and they have all 24 points mapped out nicely for you. Look at the map below and there are orange Instagram points to mark out these photo points. Photo points 1 to 9 can be done either by walking or cycling, whilst points 10 to 24 can be done as a scenic drive. You can visit them in any order you wish, or just choose some to go to. The website shows pictures of each point, so you can decide which ones of the most scenic places around Wanaka, Cardrona, Luggate, Hawea and Mt Aspiring National Park to visit.

CTT_9982

TownMap_web_no_operators Price: Free
Website: www.lakewanaka.co.nz/new-zealand/Wanaka-photo-walk

Where I stayed at Wanaka:

1) Lime Tree Lodge

This is a place I will definitely come back to stay at again. Hosts John and Pauline, owners of the Lime Tree Lodge, used to own a farm and they sold it off then moved to Wanaka and built this lodge. It is about a 10-minute drive from the main area of Wanaka, away from people so you are not disturbed.

I fell in love with the place immediately.

There is a common fireplace area, dining hall and kitchen that all guests are allowed to use, as well as a swimming pool and a hot spa tub. Rooms were spacious and comfortable, easily rivalling hotels with the amenities provided. Each room comes with its own toilet, and both the rooms and toilets have heaters. Toiletries, bathrobe, bath slippers, lots of towels, and even an electric blanket are all provided.

Lime Tree Lodge is such a pretty place that I cannot stop taking photos. It is often booked for weddings too, with large lush gardens around to host a party. You can also take a helicopter from the Lodge over to the mountains for your photoshoot.

Breakfast is included and you can inform them a time of your choice, depending on your itinerary for the day. Pauline was feeding us so much and John cooked the eggs for us. In the afternoon and evening, an inhouse chef is available to prepare meals for you. Beyond all of these, Pauline and John are also happy to play tour guide if you need them. They will send you to the supermarket, or bring you cycling if you wish.

This level of personalised service is so refreshing and makes me feel very spoilt. I started missing them terribly after we left, wishing we could have stayed with them longer!

Price: approx. NZ$300/night for guestrooms, NZ$500 for the suite
Website: www.limetreelodge.co.nz

CTT_0305

CTT_0310

CTT_0029

CTT_0311

CTT_0093

CTT_0095

CTT_0102

CTT_0306

CTT_0294

CTT_0272

CTT_0275

CTT_0315

CTT_0277

CTT_0288

What I ate at Wanaka:

1) Francesca’s Italian Kitchen

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen is a popular Italian restaurant in the main area of Wanaka. Using fresh produce and quality ingredients, Francesca’s serves up authentic Italian cuisine including homemade pasta and wood fired pizzas. They are full every day, so you must call to make reservations, especially at dinner. I felt very warm and cosy in the restaurant with all its wooden walls, accompanied by the buzzing of different conversations across the room. Food was served quickly and I had a pasta main, along with an appetiser. For the price, food was decent.

Price: Pizzas, NZ$20-25; Pasta mains, NZ$23-26
Website: www.fransitalian.co.nz

CTT_0319

CTT_0321

CTT_0326

2) Bistro Gentil

From Italian, we go French, this time at Bistro Gentil. Helmed by award winning chef James Stapley, with Mario Rodrigues as Head Chef, the modern French menu uses fresh in-season ingredients from their kitchen garden and from the region. This is a more high-end restaurant and they have a fine selection of wine, which is served in a unique way. The bottles are all lined up in a shelf and with a stored value card from them, you can select the type of wine you want and dispense it yourself.

Only open for lunch and dinner, they have a seven-course tasting menu where each dish is paired with wine, or you can just opt for a la carte. The menu is not extensive, with enough range for choice. I took their special for the day, which was beef, and I enjoyed it tremendously – flavourful and juicy in the right places.

Price: Mains, NZ$34-42
Website: www.bistrogentil.co.nz

CTT_9980

CTT_9977 CTT_9954

CTT_9961

CTT_9951

CTT_9967

Look out for more of my New Zealand posts!

Related Posts

  • New Zealand: Postcards from Mt CookNew Zealand: Postcards from Mt Cook
  • [HENAN, CHINA] The breathtaking views of Yuntai Mountain[HENAN, CHINA] The breathtaking views of Yuntai Mountain
  • Mount Bromo – Mount Ijen – Madakaripura WaterfallsMount Bromo – Mount Ijen – Madakaripura Waterfalls
  • What happens when a photographer needs to get photographed?What happens when a photographer needs to get photographed?
  • [FITSPO] Sandra Riley Tang[FITSPO] Sandra Riley Tang

Share and Enjoy !

0Shares
0 0
Written by Cheryl Tay

  • Search Cheryl Tay’s posts

  • About Cheryl Tay

    563588_392090887491821_131620790205500_1178808_177312844_n_resized


    First establishing herself in the world of cars and motorsports, Cheryl Tay is a sports and fitness blogger who advocates living an active and healthy lifestyle. Founder of body image movement Rock The Naked Truth, Cheryl overcame over a decade of eating disorders and is now passionate about helping people with similar struggles. She also has a running club ROCKrunners and a tri-enthusiast club ROCKtri.

    Rock The Naked Truth encourages others to be comfortable in their own skin and to learn that there is more to life than just being a slave to the numbers on your scale. Truly, life has more meaning than just forcing yourself to look good - it's most important to be happy and feel good about yourself!

    Previously...
    > Fitness columnist for Yahoo! Sports
    > Founder of ELITE (fitness competition)
    > Motoring writer for TODAY
    > Columnist for Rev / Run magazines
    > Official photographer for ONE Championship
    > Media manager for Formula Drift Asia
    > PR manager for PETRONAS Syntium Team
    > Business development for Kartright Speedway
    > F1 youth speaker for Singapore GP
  • Recent Posts

    • Summing up 2020…
    • Goodbye, Golf
    • The N*ked Athlete
    • Rock The Naked Truth x Our Bralette Club
    • Me Too.
  • Archives

    • 2021 (1)
      • January (1)
    • 2020 (14)
      • November (1)
      • September (2)
      • August (1)
      • July (1)
      • April (4)
      • March (1)
      • February (2)
      • January (2)
    • 2019 (23)
      • December (4)
      • November (3)
      • October (5)
      • September (1)
      • August (1)
      • June (3)
      • May (2)
      • April (1)
      • March (1)
      • February (1)
      • January (1)
    • 2018 (21)
      • November (2)
      • October (1)
      • September (1)
      • August (1)
      • July (3)
      • June (2)
      • May (3)
      • April (1)
      • March (3)
      • February (3)
      • January (1)
    • 2017 (35)
      • December (1)
      • November (4)
      • October (4)
      • September (5)
      • August (5)
      • July (3)
      • May (7)
      • March (2)
      • February (1)
      • January (3)
    • 2016 (55)
      • December (7)
      • November (3)
      • October (3)
      • September (5)
      • August (2)
      • July (3)
      • June (2)
      • May (5)
      • April (1)
      • March (7)
      • February (8)
      • January (9)
    • 2015 (149)
      • December (4)
      • November (8)
      • October (12)
      • September (15)
      • August (19)
      • July (16)
      • June (16)
      • May (16)
      • April (8)
      • March (13)
      • February (14)
      • January (8)
    • 2014 (469)
      • December (16)
      • November (26)
      • October (20)
      • September (16)
      • August (38)
      • July (52)
      • June (64)
      • May (71)
      • April (49)
      • March (55)
      • February (29)
      • January (33)
    • 2013 (135)
      • December (23)
      • November (30)
      • October (31)
      • September (38)
      • August (13)
  • cheryltaysg

    We just wanted a reason to dress up. #dressupnigh We just wanted a reason to dress up.

#dressupnight #marinabaysands #dinnerout
    Tired af but still had a little energy left to hia Tired af but still had a little energy left to hiao for a few shots.

📷: @jaredmbateman

#cheryltayworksout #teampurpose #triathlon #triathlete #trifit #trilife #trilove #trigirls #getfit #lovefit #fitforlife #fitness #fitnesseveryday #instafit #igfit #ironmantri #ironmantraining #teampurpose #purposeperformancewear #purposeasia #iamspecialized #specializedsg #aeroiseverything
    When a pole dance lesson becomes a hiao impromptu When a pole dance lesson becomes a hiao impromptu photoshoot.

Thank you @divapolesg for the trial class! I had so much fun, even though I had trouble trying to look graceful lol. Need to take a leaf out of the books of @silver_ang and @jyanyoga! And @censkiii YOU WERE MISSED TODAY.

#divapolesg #poledancing #polefitness #trysomethingnew #asiangirls #fitgirls
    About last night - belated birthday dinner and dri About last night - belated birthday dinner and drinks for @angelrun.diary, followed by acai bowl for dessert, plus lots of girl talk heehee.

I first knew Wendy when she joined the SCSM Women Squad in 2017, organised by my @ROCKrunnersSG club. She eventually joined ROCKrunners and was a very active member, helping me out in the committee. With her help and the rest of the committee, RR was able to thrive for so many years.

Even though I've ceased RR, I'm really grateful that some friendships have continued, like this one with Wendy... who, with @dadtokeepfit, always generously open their home to us over festive occasions. Between the 2 of them, they have kickass homemade muah chee and fried bee hoon lol.

Here's to a lasting friendship!

#rockrunnerssg #friendship #cheers #dinnerdrinks #birthdaydinner #theflyingsquirrel
    This is the EXACT uniform I wore for 4 years at TK This is the EXACT uniform I wore for 4 years at TKGS. Whipped it out of my cupboard today to film something with @jadeseah who is from the same school! 🤭🤭🤭 Who else still keeps their school uniform? 

Happy I could still fit into it!

And, does the TKGS pinafore still come with a zip by the side? I love it because it accentuates the curves haha. And the belt is sewn on but I ripped it out ssshhhh.

All the memories!

📷: @jadeseah, after 1000000 shots lol.

#tkgs #demureandresolute #tanjongkatonggirlsschool
    You're the yin to my yang 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍 You're the yin to my yang 🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍

#infinitysign #yinyang #bbtforlyfe #bbtsistas #infinityandbeyond #yintomyyangjiamin
    Who doesn't love Super Ring! So bad yet so good 😅😅😅 I love food and I think I eat too much junk sometimes, but it's all about moderation. I try to clean up the diet where I can, I work out and I remember to take Pruvit pure therapeutic ketones every day too.

The ketones do help me a lot in terms of better energy levels, managing the body composition by reducing body fat and having more mental focus and clarity. So much that ketones can do for you - it's not a quick fix weight loss supplement or meal replacement.

It's a ketone supplement that helps to put your body into ketosis without having to be on a restrictive/strict keto diet so your body will burn fat for energy instead of carbs (glycogen).

Hence, you get the benefits of being in ketosis without having to suffer.

Feel free to DM me if you wanna find out more - I can prep an Experience Pack for you or share more about current promotions!

And if you wanna get Pruvit, do use my referrer link (via my link in bio).

#justpruvit
    When your workout buddy turns up in a matching top When your workout buddy turns up in a matching top to your tights 😍😍😍 plus taking a gazillion selfies in the mirror to get one where we were looking at the camera + nobody walking past behind. Swipe to see our series hahahaha

#girlswhoworkout #fitgirls #lovefit #fitforlife #getfit #fitnesseveryday
    Went boxing the other day at @thering_sg and my ar Went boxing the other day at @thering_sg and my arms were aching for days after!! Trying out new activities with friends is always fun, whew. We work hard and play harder! Lol!!

(Psst, INYOURCORNER50 for 50% off one week trial and JAB25 for 25% off class packages)

#theringsg #inyourcorner #boxing
    You know you had a bloody good time when you are s You know you had a bloody good time when you are still posting photos after 2 days 🤣🤣 and talking on the radio about it this afternoon (cc: @latimerbarbara).

#yachtparty #yachtouting #lazarusisland #girlsonly #bikiniempire
    Welcome to Bikini Empire. Unfiltered, authentic, h Welcome to Bikini Empire. Unfiltered, authentic, hilarious.

#giveusarealityshow
#yachtparty 
#boating
    These girls making sure that I'm really drinking L These girls making sure that I'm really drinking LOL. Omg yday was such an epic party. When I arranged this, I knew it was gonna be a blast because these girls are so spontaneous, candid, unpretentious, adventurous and unabashed - as quoted by @rriley.

We kicked off with Mr Don Julio 1942 (whom @clairejedrek brought along and never left him) at 9am with a drinking game by @rriley that got @latimerbarbara buzzing first thing in the morning. Plus more gin that got @victoriacheng a little over. And then everything just went whooooosh from there. Ded from so much laughing, at stupid things like the maxi pad float, capsizing the kayak and being awed by the microwave oven.

Swipe for more nonsense pics LOL.

Give us our own reality show!

#yachtparty #bikiniempire #beachlife
    "You have to stop expecting people who don't love "You have to stop expecting people who don't love themselves to love you the way you love them." It's true. I had found love within myself. I knew how to give my full self to someone when I made the commitment. But I have to accept that not everyone understands love as I do. A lot of these guys I thought I'd wanted hadn't found love for themselves yet. How could they possibly be ready for the love I was ready to give?

- This is an excerpt from the book The Modern Break Up and it hit home so hard.

Also wearing this pretty toga piece from @pinksaltswimco - comfy, flattering, great material!

#allthefeels #selflove #rockthenakedtruth #doyouloveyourself #loveyourself #selflovejourney
    I JUST touched up my eyelash extensions the day be I JUST touched up my eyelash extensions the day before and wasn't too keen on jumping into the water, but these girls wouldn't hear of it so... RIP to some of you lashes. 🤣🤣🤣

#boatjumping #peerpressure #beachtime #yachtparty #lazarusisland
    Couldn't have asked for a better day with these gi Couldn't have asked for a better day with these girls! 10/10 will do it again. Plus my core is sore from all the laughing and trying to balance on the giant floating mat.

Swipe to see what an awesome time we had.

P.S. I'm wearing another pretty piece from @pinksaltswim.co!

#yachtouting #yachtparty #lazarusisland #girlsonly #beachlife
    Tried boxing for the first time at @thering_sg wit Tried boxing for the first time at @thering_sg with this bunch and it was so fun! Woke up with sore arms this morning, whew. Would do this again!

#boxing #theringsg #girlpower
    As you get older, it gets harder to make good frie As you get older, it gets harder to make good friends... friends that will not judge, friends who will order half the menu with you, friends who will talk to you on the phone when you need a listening ear, friends who love your laughter and friends who love hearing you tell stories. Grateful for this group!
    Valentine's Day dinner with my forever loves! One Valentine's Day dinner with my forever loves!

One of the reasons why I'm motivated to work hard in life is so that I can bring them out and buy them meals and gifts and take them on holiday (when we can). Of course it's not always about the money, it's also about spending quality time with them and I really enjoy their company, quirks and all.

I know they will always have my back no matter what, even when I make mistakes or do things to upset them. This is true love. ❤❤❤

Oh and I promise I have other skirts.

#valentinesday #familyfirst #familytime #familylove #vday2021
    "Excuse me, I think you're in the wrong outfit." 🤣🤣🤣

I couldn't find my leather skirt, pants or boots, so I just pulled together what I had. And while taking this photo, all I thought about was not getting my legs burnt by the bike hahaha.

#yamahayzfr1 #motorbikes #class2 #cannotridebutcantakephoto #canrideoneday #cannotrideyet
    This is what happens when you rush out of the hous This is what happens when you rush out of the house after a shower and forget to comb your hair. Here at @grityardsg to shoot their V Day Special workout - so cute to see all the couples coming to sweat together!

P.S. This irritating @joykuan is running a poll on her IGS with this photo asking if I'm sucking in my tummy or not. Whaddya think? 😏

#boliaopoll
    Load More... Follow on Instagram



Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Tay. All Rights Reserved.