Queenstown December 6-7

From Te Anau we travelled to Queenstown and were struck immediately by how much more packed with tourists it is.  We stayed in a really lovely place recommended by Jay and Phyllis.

We took the Gondola up to the top of the mountain for the views.

The peninsula seen here is a botanical garden which we walked around.

And a visit to the bird sanctuary.

The red crowned parakeet and the wood pigeon above are both endangered species, as are the kea and the kiwi.  We got to see a kiwi feeding, but it was in the dark, no photos, due to the nocturnal nature of the bird.  Many of the bird species in NZ are threatened with extinction due to the introduction of stouts, possums, and rats.  Turns out the only mammals indigenous to NZ are 2 species of bats and aquatic mammals.  All land mammals here now were brought by humans.  First rabbits and possums for fur trading, then stouts to control those populations.  Rats and mice from ships. The insect and plant populations are also suffering.  The NZ Dept. of Conservation is working hard to try and restore balance.  Very sad.

Walking around town we saw this nod to Christmas.