Queenstown, New Zealand: Ben Lomond Saddle

Our first full day in New Zealand the weather was beautiful. We decided to take on Ben Lomond (mountain). We started from Queenstown and went up 1000 meters to the Saddle. What a view! I had expected the view over the town and the lake, but being at eye level with the tops of distant mountains took me by surprise.

All the fit and young were continuing on another 400 meters of elevation to the summit on an unmaintained steep trail. There is a gondola that could be used to gain the first 350 meters. I could see ourselves taking that option in the not so distant future.

Queenstown is super touristy. I don't think we have come across such a shiny new touristy town outside China. I would have minimized our time there had I expected this.

The trip from Hobart, Tasmania to Queenstown, New Zealand consisted of an evening flight out of Hobert, spending the night in the Melbourne airport, and a before sunrise departure to Queenstown. A very long day(s). However, the views of New Zealand's west coast lakes and fiords from the plane were more than awesome.
















Landing at Queenstown.


We had a private room at a very busy hostel, with a view to the Skyline Gondola and Ben Lomond peak beyond. The "scar" around the Skyline Gondola route is cleanup, mostly tree removal, after a September 2023 weather event.






The first afternoon we took a nap to recover from the airport "overnight", then a tour of the local grocery stores, and walked down to the nearby lake beach for a quick look.






The walk up to the Ben Lomond Saddle starts at the Tiki Trail at the bottom of the gondola, ascends steeply through a forest passing impressive zipline towers, and then intersecting with the main track at the top of the gondola the start of several MTB trails, and a luge track, not to mention the nearby paragliding center. Take your pick of these outdoor activities! And enjoy the straight down view to Queenstown CBD.












After 30 minutes or so we were above the tree line with very nice views down to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, and beyond. From here it's a steady walk up a wide, well-signed, well-maintained trail, shared with MTBers, to the Ben Lomand Saddle. A total elevation gain of 1000 meters. Note that the patch of dead trees in some of the photos is an eradication of an invasive fir tree.




We stopped (1st below) about 4/5ths of the way up for lunch #1. Then upwards with the views improving with each step.






We reach the Saddle, ate lunch #2, watched other hikers go up and down from the summit 400 meters above us, and hung out for almost an hour enjoying the sunny weather and great views down to Lake Wakatipu below, and in the other direction it's just mountain after mountain .






The reverse walk down was slow and hot. We ran out of water near the top of the gondola, but were not in any trouble - lesson learned though.

Tasmania: Hobart River Derwent

Hobart is set at the mouth of River Derwent. We explored several points along the way.

Derwent River: we walked the 4km long Montrose Boardwalk that precedes the MONA (1st below).



MONA Museum (Museum of Old and New Art): an overpriced private contemporary art museum. The collection is not particularly original or thought provoking, whimsical at best, vulgar at worst. There were some Picasso ceramics (1st below) we liked, and it's always interesting to come across a Keifer (2nd below - as there is one at the NCMA in whose purchase with state money caused a stir 30+ years ago).





The MONA is 95% underground with rooms, massive caverns, and tunnels cut out of the native sandstone.














Some of the art is erotic, some whimsical, some self-indulgent.




Ai Weiwei Intentionally Dropping an Ancient Vase


Reflection?


Botanical Garden: the walks to and from the garden turned out to be rewarding too (below).










Battery Point: A well preserved older neighborhood (below) and also views of the splendid blue Derwent River and Hobart Port.