Sir Edmond Hillary's Footsteps

The picturesque town of Wanaka has only 3,000 or so permanent residents, but during the summer months, the clear, cool waters of Lake Wanaka, the expansive Mount Aspiring park and the majestic ranges to the south of town draw tens of thousands of visitors. The hostel bustled with activity even in the early morning; sweet and savory scents from all over the world wafted from the large kitchen as travelers fueled up for a long day of tramping, swimming and kayaking.

We geared up for a morning peak climb hike, pulling on boots and packing a picnic lunch for the summit. Our goal was Rocky Mountain, overlooking Diamond Lake and Lake Wanaka from the south. After an intense first twenty minutes of steep stairs and muddy traverses, the path settled into a steady climb up the 775 meters from the car park to the peak, through alpine meadows and tree-topped forests.

From NZ Developed

Near the top, the trail narrowed as we switched back and forth across the steep face, until we bounded over loose rocks and boulders to finally reach the top. New Zealand’s most famous resident, Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Mount Everest, would have been proud, I’m sure.

The summit, no matter how high the climb, is always exhilarating.

From NZ Developed

We stopped for while, enjoying the panoramic views over Lake Wanaka and the town and the glacier capped mountains to the south, before heading back down, picking our way carefully across the rocky paths and slippery forest walkways.

From NZ Developed

From NZ Developed

Lunch wasn’t meant for the summit; peanut butter is far less interesting after an intense workout. We picnicked at a beach on the lake instead, and leisurely made our way back through the town. After a quick shower, we hit the town center, strolling between shops and people watching as we enjoyed a well-deserved local brew on a sunny sidewalk. Dinner was another grill session -- if there’s one piece of advice we’d share for anyone traveling to New Zealand: hit some good hostels and use their kitchens! Cooking our own meals gave us a real boost.

The sidewalk through Wanaka harbor is lined with tiles representing years in history, sponsored by local businesses and families. We started in the 1600‘s and got a quick lesson in world and NZ history before hitting a few of the local pubs. Nightlife in Wanaka, like everything else, is relaxed. No jam-packed bars, no nightclubs with long queues, no drunk frat boys. Just cold local beer and fantastic views.

We didn’t stay out too late though. Tomorrow we’re up early for a long drive to Manapouri, where we begin what’s sure to be another highlight: an overnight cruise on the remote Doubtful Sound in the far south Fiordland region. Much more on that to come.