OverSixty April 2023 Digital

OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2023 37 TRAVEL  Majestic Queenstown Continued from page 32 Stunning scenes on the hike to Rob Roy Glacier, from left: Matukituki River; friendly sheep; snow-capped peaks Photos: Diane Godley DESTINATIONS around the lake back to Queenstown, or in the other direction around the golf course, returning by ferry. We were back by afternoon and with the clouds crowding in, we decided to go up the mountainside on the gondola. "e cost for the gondola is $46, but you can combine your ticket with lunch or dinner, or with luge rides – which aremore like go-carts than luges and attract lots of young families – to extend your time up the mountain. "e following day we decided to head to Rob Roy Glacier, a small hanging glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park, about 100km fromQueenstown via Wanaka. Considered a moderately challenging hike, it takes around three and a half hours for a return trip. From the carpark, you walk through a farm (with hundreds of contented sheep munching on lush green grass) until you get to a suspension bridge that crosses the Matukituki River. From there, the track winds steadily upwards. Wearing knee guards and using stocks, I didn’t have toomuch trouble ascending, but coming down was another story. My advice: if you have knee issues, check the steepness of the walk before you head out. Admittedly, people of all ages were on the track: I saw a woman who was at least 75 towards the end of the track, as well as much younger people turning back only a third of the way up. Although my knees were sore for sever- al days afterwards, I didn’t regret going for a moment – it was as spectacular as it was dramatic, with meadows, mountains, cli$s, waterfalls, rivers and glaciers all packed into one hike. We stopped for lunch on the banks of the river opposite Bridal Veil Falls, which was also the perfect place to take photos of the glacier. If you are short on time and have deep pockets, you can take a helicopter %ight over the mountains, some landing on the peaks that allow you to walk on top of the world without a sweat – or knee pain. Of course, if imbibing on the country’s cold-climate wines is more your thing, you are spoilt for choice in Queenstown, too, with many cellar doors open in the region. It is also well stocked with micro breweries. Perfect for young and old, there is never a dull moment in Queenstown.