I woke up early around 8:30 am in the chilly morning, knowing that a visit to the breathtaking Arrow River and Queenstown awaited me. The night had been rough; it was bitterly cold. I regretted not heating up the car before going to sleep last night; the cold woke me up four times. Each time I was awake, I started the engine and turned on the heater. While waiting for the car to warm up, I rolled up my sleeping bag and took a moment for a quick bathroom break. I left immediately, planning to brush my teeth later. Driving up the small winding gravel road, I glanced back at the riverside and its mountain. This was an incredible spot—the most beautiful free camping site I have ever visited, and I’ve seen quite a few so far.
Chilled Awakening and Scenic Departure
At the end of the gravel road was the highway to Queenstown, just about 30 kilometers away. My first stop was a Lord of the Rings filming location, and I was quite excited. This was the place used for the two statues at the side of the Anduin river, just a 6-kilometer drive from here. Turning left before the main bridge, the road led uphill, surprising me as I had imagined a descent toward the river. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the drive, even though I couldn’t recall the movie part very well. Unfortunately, the copy of Fellowship of the Ring that Daniel gave me in Sydney only played until the first half of the movie, stopping before they reached Rivendell, which was quite disappointing.
I enjoyed the view of the river and could recognize some elements. The highway beside it looked magical, adorned with colorful yellow trees. Following the gravel road, I reached a vineyard where I had to turn around and head back towards the highway. After a left turn, I crossed a large bridge with ongoing road works, forcing me to slow down to 30 kilometers per hour.
Magical Arrowtown: A Cinematic Encounter
Excitement filled me as I headed to my next Lord of the Rings movie location. The weather was favorable, and the location was easily accessible. This particular scene had captured my imagination as a child, showcasing the magic that eradicated the evil Black Riders. It was the moment when Arwen summoned a flood to escape from the pursuing Black Riders. Interestingly, the film location for this scene and the one where Arwen was chased in the forest by the Black Riders, visited the day before yesterday, were nearly 200 kilometers apart. In the movie, they seamlessly connected these distant locations, creating an incredible cinematic illusion.
Therefore, I headed to Arrowtown before reaching Queenstown today. Arrow River, the river used for the scene I just mentioned, was my destination. After a 30-minute drive, I parked my car behind the main street, next to the river.
Arrowtown, a quaint historical village known for its gold mining, greeted me as I parked. I found myself in an open forest, surrounded by breathtaking colors. Although the river lay right in front of me, I had to take a small detour due to small creeks blocking my direct path along the river. The movie location was approximately 200 meters upstream.
Arrow River
I followed the detour, capturing the beauty of the park with my camera. The surroundings were pleasant, and I noticed some Chinese tourists capturing moments with their cameras.
Upon reaching the entrance, my camera unexpectedly ran out of power. Although inconvenient, it provided an opportunity to return to my car, a decision I had already intended to make for breakfast. I strolled back, grabbing a coke and a leftover chocolate chip muffin from yesterday. While enjoying my snack along the river, I could clearly identify the filming location, even though the scene was shot long ago, and the autumnal colors of the trees had since changed.
I meandered along the rugged river trail until it led me to the water’s edge. With nothing but water stretching ahead, I chose to retrace my steps. Along the way, I couldn’t resist capturing the river’s picturesque moments through my lens. Venturing downstream, I discovered a quaint island, separated by the small creek flowing from the nearby car park on the other side.
Chinese Historic Village: Glimpses into Gold-Seeking Struggles and Cultural Riches
Following my serene stroll by the river (approximately 20 minutes of pure tranquility), I ventured towards the enchanting Chinese historic village. Once home to gold-seeking inhabitants, the tales showcased in the exhibits were nothing short of fascinating. Exploring the area, I captured captivating snapshots and even peeked inside one of the meticulously restored houses, unlocking a glimpse into the past.
The endeavor of those Chinese settlers, striving to gather resources for a modest life back in China, held a captivating narrative. Following this, I headed to my car and explored the charming town further, starting with a visit to the quaint public library. In my quest for a parking spot, I couldn’t resist capturing the picturesque small church nestled in one of the streets. Although the town was delightful, my lens focused primarily on that one captivating church and the myriad scenes surrounding the idyllic Arrow River. Ah well, sometimes a single frame tells the story beautifully.
Finding the local library closed, I chose to journey to the Queenstown library instead, just a mere 20 kilometers away. The drive towards Queenstown unfolded along a scenic route, presenting me with opportunities to capture the beauty through my lens.
Hostel Revelations
Having safely parked my car and settled the parking fee at 50 cents per hour, I stepped inside. After stashing my laptop on the charger, I took a leisurely stroll, exploring the library’s DVD collection—unfortunately, no sign of “Lord of the Rings.” Undeterred, I decided to watch a movie while awaiting my laptop’s charge. When I finally powered up my laptop, I delved into typing some reports, with a particular goal of uploading today.
Fast forward two hours, and my laptop was nearly charged. Grateful for my 3 gigabytes of data in New Zealand, I used my mobile as a tether to the internet. The library lacked Wi-Fi, and the surrounding networks were exorbitantly priced. While there, I also secured a reservation at a highly-rated hostel I had discovered the day before, eager to experience its promised quality based on the glowing reviews.
Adjacent to the library stretched out a vast rugby field. After concluding my library visit, my stomach’s growls signaled it was time for lunch, and I was famished. I grabbed a coke, some bread, peanut butter, and jam, then made my way to the field. Basking in the pleasant sunshine, I savored my meal while taking in the picturesque surroundings. To my left, majestic mountains graced the landscape (see picture 4 below), and a medium-sized peak stood directly in front of me. A cable car ascended toward that very mountain, catching my eye and prompting a decision to explore it later in the day. My itinerary was packed, but the allure of the cable car adventure was too tempting to resist.
Through the Streets of Queenstown
Returning to my car, I decided to head towards the hostel. Plugging the street name into Google Maps, I continued on, realizing it was just a brief 3-minute drive from my current location. As I reached the town center, I found myself captivated by its charm—it was truly a delightful place. The streets were bustling with pedestrians, prompting me to slow down. Despite the presence of crosswalks at every turn, it seemed that few opted to use them. Engaging in the search for parking became an unintentional practice, offering me several landmarks after just 10 minutes. With glimpses of the lake enticing me, I eventually secured a two-hour parking spot after a bit of exploration. After parking, I took a moment to purchase a ticket.
Armed with my camera, I couldn’t resist capturing some moments. A mere 5-minute stroll from there led me to the Absoloot Value hostel. Initially skeptical about the name when booking, I soon discovered that it lived up to its value. The boulevard offered breathtaking views of the lake, and Queenstown proved to be an enchanting town to explore. Charming small restaurants dotted the streets, each tempting me to visit. If only time allowed, I’d have loved to try them all. Tonight’s dinner would be a famous hamburger, adding a flavorful note to my Queenstown experience.
The Absoloot Value Hostel
With the ticking clock of my limited parking time, I briskly made my way to the hostel. After checking in, I inquired about the nearest barber, and the helpful staff pointed me in the right direction. Armed with the key to room 360 on the third floor and a complimentary towel, I was pleasantly surprised to find a hostel that offered free amenities like towels.
Ascending the stairs to my dorm, I discovered two bunk beds—one of them featuring a cozy double bed. Every bed boasted convenient power sockets, and a small refrigerator adorned the room. The setup instantly appealed to me, reminiscent of the delightful rooms I’d experienced in Indonesia. The presence of a fridge was a pleasant surprise, and I decided to stock it with snacks later.
After settling in, I took advantage of the bathroom facilities—an equally delightful discovery. A bathroom shared among four people, as opposed to the usual crowds in hostels, was a luxury. The shower experience was particularly enjoyable. Post-shower, I hurried to the street and serendipitously found a barber. Timing was on my side as the woman welcomed me with, “Hello, just sit down, you’re next.” In a mere minute, two others entered and had to wait. The haircut was exactly what I wanted, and I happily paid 30 dollars for the service.
Cable Car Adventure: Queenstown’s Breathtaking Views
Opting for immediacy, I set off for the cable car ride without delay. With an hour and a half remaining before my parking time expired, I aimed to make the most of the adventure.
Navigating Queenstown is a breeze; it’s practically impossible to get lost in this easily navigable town. In just 10 minutes, I strolled towards the hill with ease. Upon entering, a friendly staff member tried to entice me with a special pass offering exclusive benefits, including a bobsled ride down the hill seven times. Politely declining, I made my way to the ticket desk. Opting for a return ticket priced at 30 dollars, I joined the queue.
Securing my own private car, I seized the opportunity to capture some splendid pictures during the ascent. The view from the top surpassed all expectations: Lake Wakatipu, the majestic mountains, and the cityscape formed a perfect panorama. Bob’s Peak, the very location where I stood, began to cast shadows over a portion of Queenstown, adding a touch of dramatic allure to the scene.
Spending half an hour soaking in the breathtaking scenery, I descended from the peak. What an incredible day it had been. As I made my way back to the car, I chose to extend my stay until 6 pm. Parking was a bit pricier at this location—2 dollars per hour instead of the previous 50 cents. However, the upside was that parking would be free from 6 pm until 9 am the next day. Since I planned to depart around 6 am, I knew I’d be long gone before the parking fees kicked in again.
Evening Stroll: Restaurants Galore in Charming Queenstown
Heading back to my car, I couldn’t resist capturing images of the myriad restaurants that lined the streets—they were truly abundant. The bustling culinary scene made me envision myself living in this charming town, relishing the opportunity to explore and savor the offerings of every restaurant.
I settled the car park fee, placed the ticket on my windscreen, and left the vehicle. Upon returning to the hostel, I decided to pass the time there. It was there that I met my roommates—a couple from the UK and a friendly Chinese girl named Yvette. As I shared my plans for tomorrow, Yvette expressed interest in joining me, offering to contribute half of the fuel costs. Agreeing to the arrangement, we decided to embark on the journey together. The plan for tomorrow was set: a day trip to Milford Sound awaited us.
Nightfall and Dorm Life: Reflecting on Narrow Escapes
As night fell, I dedicated my time to typing reports and initiating my first upload for the New Zealand articles. The dorm provided a fantastic atmosphere, prompting me to capture some memorable pictures. Engaging conversations with fellow residents filled the evening. Our room even had a television, and as we tuned in, the news reported on the current flooding situation in Christchurch. I was astonished, considering I had been there just five days ago. Contemplating this, I acknowledged it as the fourth natural disaster I had narrowly avoided. The sequence included the eruption of Mount Sinabung in Sumatra, the Jakarta flooding as the second, and the third in Malang, where my timely departure preceded the eruption of the Kelud volcano. Finally, the fourth disaster, in Christchurch, a substantial flooding event has unfolded, marking the most intense sequence of rainfall since the 1970s. The fortunate aspect of these events was that I wasn’t present at the specific place and time, allowing me the flexibility to easily adjust my itinerary or, as is the case now, have nothing to alter at all.
At approximately 1 am, I finally retired for the night, noting that Yvette had already packed her belongings. I programmed the alarm clock for 5:30 am, and anticipation bubbled within me as the weather forecast promised an awesome day. Reflecting on my time here, I felt incredibly fortunate—nearly a week in New Zealand, and only one day marred by rain. I had mentally prepared for the worst, expecting rain, fog, and clouds, but fate had smiled upon me.
