Queenstown to Moeraki

Started the day checking out of our Queenstown Airbnb. Then on to Cromwell for our first real fruit ice cream of the trip at the Freeway fruit farm just outside Cromwell. Yum! Continued on a ziggzaggy route through the central Otago region, known for its vineyards, though anything but the lush countryside you might expect. Very dry pasture lands, cows, sheep, farming, and lots of low mountain vistas.

We took a few detours, one found us at the very intriguingly named Poolburn Adventure Hub, a run down looking building from the road, but with great reviews. Inside it was very welcoming and had great coffee. Had we been hungry, the cheese toasties sounded tempting. It had a small garden to sit in and a greenhouse growing veg for the cafe. It also had rooms and really did seem to be a center for biking and other adventures. Very nice guy behind the counter.

Took another detour suggested by a someone in the New Zealand Travel Tips Facebook group - to Waipiata for pies. Got frozen ones could eat later. Unfortunately, they gave us a steak pie instead of vegetarian. Pretty disappointed!

Towards the end of the drive we came across field after field of sunflowers. I took a “few” pictures….

Made it to Moeraki and found that our Airbnb was kind of a crazy resort unto itself, in the tiny, quiet village of Moeraki Harbor. It deserves its own post! Ended the day with a walk to the local Moeraki Tavern for a delicious dinner on the outside deck overlooking the harbor. Fresh pan-fried blue cod and chips for me and nachos for Doug.Read more