Hello, everybody! We are currently in the town of Wanaka at the lake with the same name,
located an hour away from Queenstown.
Today we will tell you about this place and two other small towns: Glenorchy and Arrowtown.
Stay with us!
Wanaka has all four seasons with temperatures from -2 to 15 °C in winter and 10 to 25 °C in summer.
The population of town is about 8 000 people.
However, thanks to tourist flow, the current unemployment rate is just 2%.
Most people work in tourism and hospitality.
So, all visitors and guests of the town can have a really great time in local cafes and bars.
The region stays quite popular throughout a year,
because of many different outdoor activities and camping options.
Places here are incredibly beautiful.
Mountains surround Lake Wanaka and Lake Havea.
It goes without saying, that such landscapes make tracking the most popular activity among visitors.
The main tracks lead to the tops Roys Peak, Rob Roy and other unbelievable spots.
There is the most photographed tree in New Zealand and one of the most popular places in the world.
At least, that’s what local guides say.
Thanks to its beauty, the region attracts filmmakers.
Peter Jackson created some scenes for his epic movies The Lord of the Rings and
The Hobbit in different spots near the town.
Many New Zealand movies were shot on the background of the magnificent nature.
Every year more and more people consider Wanaka as a wedding ceremony place on the top of the mountain
with unbelievable views to remember for the rest of life.
Wanaka gives lots of energy, so those, who prefer outdoor activities, come here for new experiences.
Great tracks for mountain bikes are very popular.
Those, who like off-roading, may have a good time here, slogging through rough terrain.
A beautiful Cardrona Ski Resort is one of the main attractions in winter.
In addition, plenty of sport and youth festivals take place in Wanaka.
If the weather is bad for outdoor activities and you are already tired of bars and cafes,
there are other interesting places to see.
For example, Puzzle World, which is right behind me.
Puzzle World is a very famous place in the town, museum of puzzles and optic illusions for all ages.
Near Wanaka, you may also visit Toy Museum, the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.
If you are interested in old-fashioned vehicles and aircrafts, National Transport Museum is the right place for you.
On the way from Wanaka to Queenstown, there is an unusual installation.
Women from all over the world leave their bras on the fence
within the breast cancer campaign to increase awareness of the disease.
Right now we are close to Queenstown, in the small Arrowtown with population of 2000 people.
There are not so many things to do in the town, however, it is well-known as a former settlement of gold seekers.
Arrowtown was overtaken by gold rush, which has not spared New Zealand either.
On the way from Queenstown to Arrowtown, it is good idea to stop by crystal Lake Hayes
and make some beautiful pictures.
The nature of the region is full of picturesque landscapes,
that is why many Hollywood and New Zealand movies were shot here.
For example, Top of the Lake, a mystery drama TV series, was created in Glenorchy.
Of course, most of scenes were shot for The Lord of the Rings and The Wolverine - one of X-men film series.
Because of the resemblance of Lake Wakatupu to Loch Ness in Scotland, The Water Horse was made here, too.
The Lovely Bones by Peter Jackson, Willow by George Lucas and all other movies were born in the Queenstown region.
In 2010 some of the scenes of America's Next Top Model were shot here.
In Glenorchy, where we are now, many outdoor activities are quite common,
such as fishing, hunting, water sport, hiking and others.
If you are planning to travel to The South Island, it is a must to visit the region.
The local nature will never disappoint you!
Thank you for watching! Bye-bye!