Since we are staying in Queenstown, not far from the Arrowtown turn off, we decided to take a stroll along part of the Lake Hayes walkway. If you are familiar with the area, we parked at Bendemeer Bay and walked north towards the Lake Hayes picnic area.  Click here for more information on the Lake Hayes walkway.

Lake Hayes  is a completely stunning location. It’s apparently one of the most photographed places in New Zealand and I can see why. We started out about 9am and met a few people out and about.  Some were walking their dogs, some running or cycling along the track, a few people were out on the lake on paddle boats or kayaks.  There were even a couple of brave souls at the camp ground … in the water!

We were fortunate enough to see a Tui which we don’t have locally at home, and also a couple of Australasian crested grebes out on the water.

The track around the lake is about 8km long.  We didn’t go the whole distance and walked for about 30 minutes. We then parked the doglet’s Nonna on a seat in the picnic area, while we continued with the doglets a little further before turning around and heading back.

All keen to get going at the start of the walk!

The message about clean, green New Zealand clearly didn’t strike a cord with those who left their rubbish on the lake side…. grrrr.

Doglet #1 being brave and going for a paddle with Dad (with some encouragement).

Doglet #2 didn’t need so much encouraging as she was straight in …

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