New Zealand South Island

I left Queenstown and took a bus to Dunedin. Dunedin was a town established by Scottish immigrants in the early 1800's. New Zealand experienced a major gold rush similar to that of, and at the same time as, the gold rush in California..about the mid 1800's. More gold was pulled out of this region than in California. Dunedin experienced a major boom at that time and became the center of commerce for New Zealand. I toured an old home in the area, and of course a brewery!

Speights (pronounced like weight) was established in 1876, and kept the thirsty New Zealand gold miners satisfied.
From Dunedin it was on towards Christ Church, and got a chance to view the New Zealand southern Alps. A rare view of Mt Cook, which is usually shrouded in the clouds was a highlight.

Tomorrow I'll go through Fairlie, a small farming town on my way to Christ Church. Hope to visit a farm home there

New Zealand Talk:
Car body shop is a "panel bender"
If you want a mug of beer, you as for a "handle"

Good on ya!!
-Bill

Sheep Shearing - Sequence Walter Peak Farm, Queenstown, New Zealand

Shearing sheep - Queenstown, New Zealand

Mustering the sheep - Sheep dog

Walter Peak Country Sheep Farm Tour - Queenstown

March 5, 2012 Dunedin, New Zealand

On Monday I went on a tour of the Walter Peak High Country sheep farm. The farm was reached by a 12 mile steamer boat ride across Lake Wakatipu out of the city of Queensland, New Zealand.  The ride was a tour in itself. The steamship, the TSS Earnshaw, is believed to be the oldest working coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. It will celebrate  its 100th year anniversary this year. Judging from the black coal smoke rising to the sky out of the stack, they must have a historical exemption from clean air rules!

The sheep tour was amazing primarily because of our tour guide at the ranch - Lindsay. His dry humor and knowledge of sheep farming was incredible. He showed us all how to muster the sheep using a sheep herder's best friend, the sheep dog, then went on to demonstrate shearing a sheep. After shearing, the sheep dawns a new name - SHORN  

I'll try to attach two videos that tell the whole story. Also attached are pictures of the steamer and the ranch. This really brought into perspective one of New Zealand's largest agricultural industries - sheep farming.

On south to the city of Dunedin which  in the gold rush days (1860's) was the hub of New Zealand.

Yours in travel

Bill

Milford Sound - Text

Milford Sound, New Zealand
Sunday March 4, 2012

Today I went on a tour of the Milford Sound. Actually a Fijord as it was a glacier valley carved on the coast of the South Island during the last Iceage some 11,000 years ago. To be able to see this incredible valley that meets the sea, a tunnel had to be drilled through a mountain of solid rock. This was done just  before WW II, suspended during the war, then  completed shortly after. An amazing 5 hour drive  through farm country, then the mountains takes you there from Queenstown. Queenstown is a winter and summer sports mecca, much like our ski resorts, a lively village with lots to do. I'll stay here a couple of days then move south down the Island for a couple of days before heading across the "ditch" to Melbourne Australia.
Totally I lucked out with some beautiful sunny weather!!
See you in a few days
- Bill

Milford sound - New Zealand's Fijords