On my final day in the South Island I drove from Wanaka to Queenstown, did some sightseeing and jumped on a plane to Auckland.
My day began at midnight where I stayed up until the clocked rolled over so I could change my flexi-time airfare to a later time in the day allowing me to see more during the day.
![Cardrona Hotel](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1-IMG_20160914_075127-1024x640.jpg)
I chose to drive from Wanaka to Queenstown via Cromwell as the previous day I had done the faster Crown Range route (via Cardrona). Along the route I stopped at Lake Dunstan to take in the amazing scenery.
![Lake Dunstan](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2-P1290346-1024x640.jpg)
![Lake Dunstan](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3-P1290355-1024x729.jpg)
I then continued through the Kawarau Gorge and stopped again at Arrowtown.
![Arrowtown](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/4-P1290371-1024x640.jpg)
![Arrowtown](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/5-P1290374-1024x641.jpg)
When I got to Queenstown it was very busy and it took quite a while to find a carpark. After walking around the town for a little bit I decided it was pretty boring and had enjoyed staying the few days in Wanaka which is much more authentic small town New Zealand.
![Lake Wakatipu](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/6-P1290385-1024x683.jpg)
![Lake Wakatipu](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/7-P1290316-1024x640.jpg)
In the early afternoon it was time to head to the airport for my flight to Auckland.
![Old and New Air NZ Planes](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/8-IMG_20160915_130519-1024x577.jpg)
I was fortunate that my entire trip had great weather and the departure from Queenstown was no exception, the view was spectacular and reminded me of flying over parts of Europe.
![Southern Alps from Above](https://brad.net.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/9-IMG_20160915_145222-1024x683.jpg)