Day 4. Raining...

It is Scotland! Ok a day of not much: Coffee, then travel down to Queenstown (actually Arrowtown - just outside). We went via the Cardrona pass. Very dramatic - even in the fog and the rain - the drop down into the Ortago valley has lots of alpine switchbacks.

We decided to stay in Arrowtown as its quieter than Queenstown and close to Coronet Peak (Paragliding site out of ski season). We had trouble finding somewhere to stay there though as several weddings were on in the area that weekend. The backpackers lodge was full but we managed to get rooms at the New Orleans Hotel right in the middle of Arrowtown.

Arrowtown is an ex-Goldrush settlement from 1860s - it has a real feel of old-west about it. We went for a wander up tracks at the back of the village, stopping by the remnants of the Chinese encampment remains. Many chinese came over in the goldrush to try making a fortune before returning (only a few settled). We got a bit of a view of the town nestled in the shelter of the mountains, but with the rain and mist we felt it was time to go and try out the local brews.

The Arrow brewery site has seen brewing since the town was established - and the beer is pretty good today. As was the venison pie we had to go with it. Hope weather improves...