The weather forecast for today was not favourable. Up to 28 mm rain, starting around the middle of the day.

We got ourselves organised and were on the road by 7.30 am.

We followed a path along the foreshore of the Shotover River, this little beach area being in Frankton.

After 8 km, we were in central Queenstown. Life looked quite scenic and pleasant. Council workers cleaning public facilities, and pressure cleaning the paving.

Gilbert Rees is regarded as the founder of Queenstown, establishing a sheep farm around the site of the Hilton hotel, where we had coffee yesterday.

Frankton, the area we stayed for two nights was named after his wife Frances. Walter Peak is named after his son.

It started to spit with rain very lightly as we left Queenstown, so we put our rain jackets on.

We were to stay in the main road all the way to Glenorchy, 45 km away.

I’d read that the road shouldn’t be too busy. That was wrong. It was super busy with lots of campervans, hire cars and trucks. Some of the tourists were a bit close!

The road was in excellent condition seal wise. Verges were narrow to non existent.

Fortunately there were several ‘slow lanes’ on the climbs.

It was very hilly, with pinches up to 14.5% gradient, testing my legs on a loaded bike.

None of the climbs were particularly long. I think the longest climb was about 2.5 km in length.

Lots of sharp pointy bits!

The plan had been to ride 89 km today, going out through Glenorchy to Paradise and returning to Glenorchy.

The forecast changed our plans. It’s gravel from Glenorchy, rain usually diminishes views, and it was forecast to bucket down in the afternoon.

The light drizzle was becoming heavier and we stopped at a very convenient shelter, donning our over boots to keep our drier.

We were cautious on the descents, as roads can be slippery in the rain.

The views were still great. Rain offers alternative perspectives.

A series of photos follow from just outside Queenstown through to the outskirts of Glenorchy.

We stopped at Mrs Wooly’s General Store as we arrived in Glenorchy. It seemed every tourist vehicle that passed us had stopped there too.

There were some very impatient people wanting their coffee before people ahead of them. I felt sorry the young staff working under such pressure.

We found somewhere dry to sit, very close to our bikes. We had a nice early lunch and moved on to our accomodation only a few blocks away.

We sat outside Mr Glens (essentially a pub with food) adjacent to Mrs Glens (a bakery). Our accomodation is next door, where Tony is standing with our bikes.

Mrs Wooly, Mr Glen and Mrs Glen ….there is a theme.

We were far too early to check in (1500), so sat outside for an hour or so, putting some extra clothes on. A table inside close to the bikes freed up and we did enjoy the additional warmth.

A lovely Sri Lankan worker, named Fanta, allowed us to head up to our room around 1330, and we were very appreciative.

The bikes are stored in their alcohol store area. We cannot access them until 8 am when Mrs Glen opens.

Glenorchy is the gateway to the famous Routeburn walking track. SItuated on a shelf of flat land at the head of Lake Wakatipu, it is a base for horse treks, jetboat rides, helicopter flights or jumping out of mechanically perfect aircraft.

Lord of the Rings had location sites in the area too.

After a great dinner at Mr Glens we went for a walk around town. It is very quiet and appears most of the tourists are day trippers.

We wandered down to the foreshore adjacent to the mouth of the Rees River and the path has been flooded. Extracting ourselves we got wet and muddy feet.

We walked out along the jetty and could see the valley ahead is scenic, even with the low clouds.

We enjoy breakfast at Mrs Glens at 8 am, so it will be a later departure. Distance wise tomorrow is not long (69 km) but around 1,200 metres climbing.

Tomorrow we retrace our steps back to Queenstown then head to Arrowtown.

The weather forecast is good! Sunshine and no rain!

Thanks for reading, Ooroo 😊❣️