Wanaka & Dunedin are within driving distance from Queenstown, but less frequented by tourists. After an adrenaline filled stay in Queenstown, Dunedin is a perfect anti dote to it.
Wanaka is around 90 mins hilly drive from Queenstown, and there is nothing to do in this town except the Puzzling World.
Puzzling World is enough reason for you to drive from anywhere to this average town. Puzzling World is a physical world of puzzles which we used to wonder about after reading on email forwards.
You would need atleast 2-3 hours to see this place, so leave after breakfast, so you could either be back to Queenstown in a day or drive forward to Dunedin.
There is the Great Maze in the Puzzling World, and its a great brain exercise. Brilliant fun if you are inclined towards such challenges.
Some architectural mysteries which a layman would not figure out on how it was achieved. There is a room which looks a perfect cube from outside, but 2 persons standing in a opposite corners would look like a giant and a dwarf. This technique was used in The Lord of the Rings.
Then there is a room, which appears parallel to the earth but you feel you are walking uphill when you are walking straight, you would stand at an angle, but feel very comfortable, then there is water flowing upstream... just cannot imagine the room architectural genius..
Then there are lots of mind teaser paintings in a gallery to marvel at.
Wanaka is around 90 mins hilly drive from Queenstown, and there is nothing to do in this town except the Puzzling World.
Puzzling World is enough reason for you to drive from anywhere to this average town. Puzzling World is a physical world of puzzles which we used to wonder about after reading on email forwards.
You would need atleast 2-3 hours to see this place, so leave after breakfast, so you could either be back to Queenstown in a day or drive forward to Dunedin.
There is the Great Maze in the Puzzling World, and its a great brain exercise. Brilliant fun if you are inclined towards such challenges.
Some architectural mysteries which a layman would not figure out on how it was achieved. There is a room which looks a perfect cube from outside, but 2 persons standing in a opposite corners would look like a giant and a dwarf. This technique was used in The Lord of the Rings.
Then there is a room, which appears parallel to the earth but you feel you are walking uphill when you are walking straight, you would stand at an angle, but feel very comfortable, then there is water flowing upstream... just cannot imagine the room architectural genius..
Then there are lots of mind teaser paintings in a gallery to marvel at.
Maze in Puzzling World, Wanaka
Dunedin is a 4 hrs drive from Wanaka, and its one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. If you ever drew a sheep on a cartoonishly small hillock, then be prepared to see such sights en route.
Dunedin is the southernmost major city in New Zealand. Its famous for its old architecture, Otago peninsula, and of course Albatross and Penguins wildlife tours.
Glendinning House
If you are in New Zealand , I would recommend you to experience a Bed & Breakfast accommodation atleast once in your stay. We chose this place based on Trip Advisor, and Jocelyn - the owner, upgraded to us the best room in the house since it was empty.
It was my first experience in a B&B, and the love and affection of the owners, will always be a sweet memory throughout.
Beautiful airy rooms, homely feel, and after staying in matchbox hotel rooms, you feel grand.
Jocelyn prepared us the most wonderful organic breakfast despite of us being vegetarian and she never ever having vegetarian guests. It was one of the most innovative dishes I had, using ingredients from the garden behind her house.
You can spend hours talking to her, with a cup of coffee, where she learns more about you and you learn more about Dunedin.
Dunedin is the southernmost major city in New Zealand. Its famous for its old architecture, Otago peninsula, and of course Albatross and Penguins wildlife tours.
Glendinning House
If you are in New Zealand , I would recommend you to experience a Bed & Breakfast accommodation atleast once in your stay. We chose this place based on Trip Advisor, and Jocelyn - the owner, upgraded to us the best room in the house since it was empty.
It was my first experience in a B&B, and the love and affection of the owners, will always be a sweet memory throughout.
Beautiful airy rooms, homely feel, and after staying in matchbox hotel rooms, you feel grand.
Jocelyn prepared us the most wonderful organic breakfast despite of us being vegetarian and she never ever having vegetarian guests. It was one of the most innovative dishes I had, using ingredients from the garden behind her house.
You can spend hours talking to her, with a cup of coffee, where she learns more about you and you learn more about Dunedin.
Yellow Room in Glendenning House
 |  Vegetarian Breakfast by Jocelyn |
City
The city center is just 15 mins drive downhill from Glendinning House, and there is an old world charm to the city. The railway station being a highlight. Also there is a Cadbury factory for which you can have a tour.
Elm Wildlife Tours
We chose Dunedin, for the very reason to see penguins in their wildlife. Elm Tours are the most famous operators in Dunedin with favorable reviews. Now you can add more one to it.
They pick you up from your accommodation around 3 pm, drive you to the Otago peninsula which takes about 30 mins. Then you can have the optional tour of the Albatross in a care center. Albatross has one of the biggest wing-spans among the birds.
After that , you drive further to the tip of the peninsula. You are at the southernmost tip, with Antartica all the way in the direction of your nose, South America to your left and Africa to your right !
The city center is just 15 mins drive downhill from Glendinning House, and there is an old world charm to the city. The railway station being a highlight. Also there is a Cadbury factory for which you can have a tour.
Elm Wildlife Tours
We chose Dunedin, for the very reason to see penguins in their wildlife. Elm Tours are the most famous operators in Dunedin with favorable reviews. Now you can add more one to it.
They pick you up from your accommodation around 3 pm, drive you to the Otago peninsula which takes about 30 mins. Then you can have the optional tour of the Albatross in a care center. Albatross has one of the biggest wing-spans among the birds.
After that , you drive further to the tip of the peninsula. You are at the southernmost tip, with Antartica all the way in the direction of your nose, South America to your left and Africa to your right !
 Blue Eyed Penguin |  |
It gets very windy, so wear warm clothes, otherwise Elm Tours provides you with wind cheaters. Now the real hike starts , and you walk towards a view point, where you can see hundreds of seals basking on the rocks, swimming in the waves, playing with their children, etc. Cannot go closer to them as they are wild and can attack humans.
Next we walk uphill and downhill to a secluded beach where penguins come out and find spots for laying eggs. Elm Tours have made bunkers, where you can hide & look through your binoculars for these endangered species. We saw the two-footed penguins and also the Blue eyed penguin which is the world's smallest penguin.
You return back home around 9 pm , and you are totally exhausted, but it was an enriching experience. The vast pastures, the endless ocean, thousands of sheep, cute little penguins, - just out of fairytale.
Next we walk uphill and downhill to a secluded beach where penguins come out and find spots for laying eggs. Elm Tours have made bunkers, where you can hide & look through your binoculars for these endangered species. We saw the two-footed penguins and also the Blue eyed penguin which is the world's smallest penguin.
You return back home around 9 pm , and you are totally exhausted, but it was an enriching experience. The vast pastures, the endless ocean, thousands of sheep, cute little penguins, - just out of fairytale.
Heritage Railway Center, Dunedin