Hiking in Wanaka: The Golden Tussocks of Roys Peak Track
One of the advantages of staying in Wanaka is the variety of hiking tracks, most of which reward you with stunning panoramic views of Lake Wanaka from the summit. I chose Roys Peak Track, which is highly recommended online; its trailhead was merely 5 kilometers from our campsite. In order to secure one of the limited parking spots, we headed out early in the morning. Even though the drive was less than 10 minutes, it offered a visual feast—a vibrant transition from the tranquil blue lake and lush greenery to fields of golden tussock.
The trailhead is nestled in a valley. I felt a sense of the divine being surrounded by golden tussocks shimmering in the light. The landscape was incredibly cinematic, reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings; it immediately brought to mind the epic battle scenes between the armies of men and the Orcs.
The trailhead of Roys Peak Track
Diamond Lake
The Reality of Hiking Estimates: A Lesson at Diamond Lake
There was a sign at the trailhead indicating that the first landmark, ‘Diamond Lake,’ was just a 10-minute walk. We thought, ‘Great! This will be a breeze.’ We couldn’t have been more wrong! Those time estimates are merely for reference. If you’re like us and don’t exercise regularly, it’s best to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Plus, the breathtaking views along the track kept distracting us; we spent ages trying to capture every captivating landscape, or simply losing track of time snacking while soaking in the picturesque scenery.
We ended up cutting the hike short before reaching Lake Diamond, as fatigue set in and we had a tight schedule for our next destination. However, despite not reaching the end, it was still one of the best experiences of our journey. Next time, if I were to revisit New Zealand, I would definitely ensure I had enough time to complete the entire track to the summit.
An overlook of Diamond Lake
Queenstown’s Culinary Legend: Is Fergburger Worth the Hype?
After the hike, we headed to the renowned adventure capital, Queenstown. Before the trip, every single friend of mine who’s been there told me, ‘Fergburger is a must-try.’ I googled it and found that CNN hailed it as the best burger on the planet, which really stirred my curiosity. I vowed that no matter how long the line was, I would stick it out until I got a bite.
No kidding, Fergburger is truly worth the hype. When I arrived, the line was seemingly endless, but I jumped in without a second thought. The queue was like a mini United Nations—people of all ethnicities gathered there for one shared goal. It didn’t even take that long to order—just an hour or so! The ordering process was seamless; the staff were incredibly professional, finishing my order with just a few quick taps on their screens. Then, I was back to waiting for another 30 minutes. But believe me, every minute of the wait was absolutely worth it.
After grabbing the burgers, I rushed back to the campsite. I couldn’t wait to share them with my wife and kids. Even though they had cooled down a bit, the moment my wife took a bite, she declared it the best burger she’d ever had.
The famous Fergburger queue in Queenstown
My Fergburger—sorry, I already took a bite!
A Campervan Nightmare: Trapped in a Downtown Queenstown Campsite
The campsite in Queenstown was right in the heart of downtown—small and cramped. I actually had a bit of a nightmare there while trying to leave early one morning. We were headed to Milford Sound, a four-hour drive, so we wanted to hit the road as early as possible.
What I didn’t realize was that one of the gates stayed locked until 6:00 AM. When I pulled up at 5:00 AM, I found myself trapped. The path was barely wide enough for the campervan, making it nearly impossible to reverse. There I was, struggling to maneuver this massive beast in the pitch dark. It took me 30 agonizing minutes to escape those tiny roads. Even now, whenever I look back on it, I still feel like it was a really close call. I really learned the hard way to thoroughly scout every route before driving a vehicle of that size.