Highlights of the Day
We drove over an hour to Wanaka for a flight lesson, but the twin-engine plane was under maintenance, so I opted out. On the way back, we visited Puzzling World, where we tackled the Great Maze and explored mind-bending illusion rooms. Lunch by the lake led us to the famous Lonely Tree, followed by a stroll past campervans. A stop at Patagonia Chocolates for dark chocolate ice cream was a treat, and Jones Fruit Stall surprised us with pricey Manuka honey. Back in Queenstown, strong winds greeted us, and we ended the day with a delicious seafood dinner.
Logistics
Accommodation: HIGHVIEW APARTMENTS QUEENSTOWN (highly recommended)
Transportation: Rental Car
We drove for over an hour to Wanaka to learn how to fly a plane.
The distance was only 70 km, but the road was full of sharp turns, making it a tough drive. At times, our speed dropped to just 15 km/h. I fell asleep shortly after we started. When I woke up, my husband said, “Good thing you slept, or you would have gotten carsick.”
At the airport, I was told the twin-engine plane I booked was under maintenance, and only a single-engine one was available. That felt unreliable, so I decided not to fly.
On the way back, we passed a lavender farm but didn’t go in. Further ahead, we saw a place called Puzzling World and decided to check it out. It had a Great Maze and an Illusion Room.
The Great Maze stretched 1.5 km and was the world’s first 3D maze. Most people walk 3 to 5 km before solving it. Under the scorching sun, we kept trying and failing but finally found all the towers. Then, we had to return to the starting point. At that point, both of us lost patience and took a shortcut through a secret exit.
The Illusion Room had six sections, each designed to trick the mind.
One of the most impressive rooms made high places look low and vice versa. The best proof was a chair on a track. When someone sat on it, the chair effortlessly slid upward. But once at the top, it wouldn’t come down on its own—you had to pull it back down. After stepping out and checking our photos, we realized the floor had a 15-20 degree slope.
Another room featured portraits of famous figures like Einstein and Lincoln. As we moved, the eyes seemed to follow us, though it was just an illusion.
Even the restroom was fun. A huge mural depicted ancient Romans using communal toilets, complete with rows of stone benches for seating.
For lunch, we planned to eat at a specific restaurant by the lake but couldn’t find it. Instead, we spotted a Chinese restaurant and decided to give it a try. The food was decent, and the lake view was stunning.
After lunch, we visited Lonely Tree, a famous Wanaka landmark. It stands alone in the water, symbolizing independence. My guess is that it once grew on land, but rising water levels turned it into a tree in the lake. The walk from the restaurant took about 10 minutes. We took some photos, checked it off our list, and then enjoyed a lakeside stroll.
Along the lake, we saw many campervans and modified trucks. Some had small storage compartments and fold-out beds, allowing travelers to sleep wherever they parked. While this isn’t my travel style, it seemed like a fun way to explore.
A well-known chocolate shop, Patagonia Chocolates, caught our attention. Since it was too hot for chocolate, I opted for a dark chocolate ice cream. It was rich and delicious. Later, back in Queenstown, I realized the same shop had a branch there too.
Before heading back, we stopped at Jones Fruit Stall, a famous fruit market. It was the first place in New Zealand where I saw such a wide variety of fruits. We bought some apricots, peaches, and plums—all fresh and tasty. The biggest surprise was their Manuka honey. Even the cheapest bottle cost NZD 60–70 per jar, while the premium ones were several hundred dollars—much pricier than what Costco sells in the U.S.
Because of our stop at the fruit stall, we luckily avoided the tough mountain road on the way back.
By the time we returned to Queenstown, the wind had picked up. We ended the day with a simple seafood dinner, which turned out to be quite good.
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