One of our favourite New Zealand road trips is Christchurch to Tekapo via Rakaia Gorge and Geraldine. A bonus this time was a coffee and muffin stop at the Staveley cafe, located near the Mt Somers turnoff. Well worth a visit.
We had two nights booked in Tekapo, and a place we hadn’t stayed before, the Tekapo B2 Lakeview Apartment. Turned out to be a delightful one bedroom elevated cabin, with mountain and lake views. After completing the Cowans Hill walk and explore around the lakefront, we were ready for dinner. We found a Japanese restaurant which was very nice. For our next and final night we booked McKenzies. Always top quality and also a celebration of someone’s birthday .. Sue (55!).
View from our Cabin 
B2 Lakeview Apartment 
Cowan Hill walk 
Sheepdog statue 
Church of the Good Shepherd 
So far we had been blessed with fine weather, and the next day was another “cracker”. We headed up to Tekapo’s nearest ski field, Round Hill.
A perfect “Bluebird” day, no crowds and reasonable snow conditions. Not enough snow however for the legendary Heritage rope tow. This is a long, vertical run which is probably beyond us! Round hill has T- bar lifts, so after many runs the intrepid couple were worn out.
First ski of the season 
Aoraki Mt Cook 
Lake Tekapo 
Bluebird! 
The infamous Heritage run. 
Morning tea
After a pleasant birthday dinner at McKenzies, it was time to depart Tekapo for the Ohau Lodge and ski field at Lake Ohau. This was a first time visit for the Old Pharts, and they were really looking forward to it.
Another Bluebird day awaited us at the ski field, after a bone jarring drive up the access road. As a bonus, a fellow Hamiltonian, Jim Fitchett was to be there for the day. Nice to ski a few runs with the silly Old Bugger!
Lake Ohau 
The author and Jim Fitchett 
Bluebird 
Scenic Skifield! 
The Lake from the Lodge 
Ohau Lodge
After an excellent 3 course set menu dinner at the Lodge, a comfortable nights sleep and hearty breakfast, it was time to continue to Wanaka.
However, there was a stop we wished to make on the way. This was to visit the Clay Cliffs, near Omarama. It is a twenty minute drive from the main highway, and well worth a visit.
