We stayed here to meet up with friends. But the weather was foul! So windy and wet that we were forced to get up at 3.30am to pack away the awning that was at risk of being ripped away in the gales!
This campsite was a bit of profit-clinic (extra for showers, extra for washing machines, extra for wifi, extra for everything), we wouldn't have stayed here through choice had our friends not been here. But they return frequently to enjoy the lakeside views and dog-friendly environment.
I also met with another friend from the pro-nature group - Carol. We talked about Wanaka's changing urban environment and the poisoning that continues in that area. What was interesting was - like Hanmer Springs that we stopped at the following week - the place had completely transformed since we were there last.
The town was buzzing with classy wine-bars, organic chocolate shops and designer-clothes.
There was a cosmopolitan of public - tourists and residents (and both, like us), but there was definitely many Poms in the high street and lots of evidence of them moving into the new (and very scenic) residential areas around the lake. In fact, the new builds had extended so far, that the two towns of Wanaka and Albert town had now merged to become one large conurbation. Carol wasn't happy about the loss of habitat - for wildlife and her own walks!This touristy buzz isn't the side of New Zealand I particularly enjoy - we moved on, aware of the need to move Northwards by the end of the month and also that the main arterial route - the SH1 was still out of action..
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