In the morning we chat with a man that recommends we take the steamboat across the water to the gravel road at Walters' Peak instead of the busy highway to Te Anau.
It sounds like a good idea so we cycle back to Queenstown. We discover the bike route along the water that is below the road and quite enjoyable.
We make the noon steamship, the Earnslaw, in time although I miss the Saturday market at the waterfront at Queenstown which has jewellry, paintings etc. It is only 45 minutes across.
At Walters' Peak there are brilliant flower gardens around the few houses. We partake of high tea which includes free coffee, tea and snack cakes, I have 3 helpings.
We watch a sheep herding demonstration with a border collie and then a sheep shearing demonstration. The sheep doesn't want to participate but has no choice. It is interesting.
The road is lovely and quiet and the gravel is not too bad-we are up close and personal with the surrounding mountains. Approximately 30 km we have a river crossing.
There is a very steep winding climb for 3km, it is very tough. I have to stop a few times to rest and manage to angle the bike so I can get back on it to continue riding. We rest at the top.
After a couple smaller climbs, I feel too tired to continue to DOC camping so we cross a field, sheltered by a hill out of the wind and set up tent.
Day 39 cycling 42KM
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