New Zealand day 6 Hike & lake dinner cruise

March 15, 2026

Today we are remaining in Queensland. We had a slower start to the morning before loading up and driving to the small town of Glenorchy. 

From here we split into two groups. One plans to stay in town and explore while the other half goes to the Routeburn Track (in New Zealand a track is a hiking trail) for a hike. We do not know how far we will hike, we are bound by time to return to our hotel and clean up for our dinner cruise. It was about 30 minutes longer to get to the trailhead. This is a popular multi day hiking trail here in New Zealand and the trailhead is a very nice facility with restrooms and attractive landscaping.

We started off crossing a footbridge over a river and we were immediately met by gorgeous river views.

As we stepped off the bridge, I was immediately in awe. Both sides of the trail were covered in beautiful green, moss, and a variety of trees and brush; a very different trail than what we have previously been on.

There are a number of steep and pointed peaks in this area. We get views of them through the trees. 

Everywhere we look is this beautifully green colored moss. It lines the trail, cover trees, and rocks.

We noticed this old broken off tree that has another tree sitting in its cracks. We joke that it looks like the bigger one is eating the smaller one.

Another foot bridge crossing a river with a very good flow of very clear water. For as substantially built as these bridges seen, they have a very low people weight limits.

The trail has not disappointed. It’s one of the more beautiful ones I have been on. Being in a new country brings new foliage that I have not yet seen.

We have another river. This one has a waterfall just underneath it

The trail  slowly increases in elevation, but remains beautiful with continued foliage.

We now are paralleling the river we have crossed. The water is incredibly pretty. It is crystal clear and a beautiful transparent blue color. 

It is almost time to turn around and head back to the car. There was one last bridge. I plan to cross. I will have lunch on the other side and then turn around. 

As I cross the bridge, I am again struck by the beauty of this water.

After turning around, I come back to an area that I had bypassed on the way out. It is a small beach area alongside the river. 

Jo

On the side of the trail, we found this New Zealand pigeon sitting in the tree, much larger and more colorful than US pigeons 

We return to the trailhead and our cars. Today was only 7 miles, but it was incredibly beautiful. 

We returned to the hotel, took showers, changed clothes, and got ready for our next adventure; a ride on a historic steamboat across the lake to a farm where we will have dinner

As we arrive to what they call the farm, it is stunning. Beautiful gardens surrounding attractive buildings.

We had an absolutely phenomenal dinner and then went to the farm show. There is a demonstration of sheep shearing, and a working dog, hurrying the sheep to the pen. 

We returned to the ship and were treated with a beautiful sunset on the way back to town