Balancing the Budget - paid camp to Freedom camp

Thursday 16 April

Always hard to leave Glendhu Bay - but when you awake to such perfection it feels almost impossible. Our lakeside rain had fallen as snow on the mountains around us again, looking fabulous in the morning sun ☀️ The golden glow on the snows of the Treble Cone range behind the campsite reception block was so beautiful.

We packed up in a leisurely fashion and cruised out of the campsite shortly before 11am. Mt Aspiring was signposted to our right, but we turned left and followed the lakeshore, past a very busy Roy's Peak carpark, into Wānaka itself.

Quick stop in Wānaka out at the Three Parks area, so Louis could swim, and I swung by Sallies yet again - high turnover at this store so always new stock! The red autumn leaves of the tree planting in the New World carpark were brilliantly coordinated with the store's logo!

After a cheesy scone in Banjo on the roadside, we set off for Lowburn, following the west side of Lake Dunstan for much of the trip. A quick dump station visit to empty old water and fill with new, a real fruit ice cream at Jackson Orchards for Louis (despite the chilly temperatures and a wind chill factor making it feel even colder!) then we headed back a wee way up the lake on the Lowburn Freedom Camp and parked up close to our spot from 3 weeks ago.

It was cold but sunny as I took my stroll down to the boat ramp bay arm - and Lake Dunstan was looking fabulous and reflective surrounded by golden autumnal willows and poplars! The clouds were pretty cool too - stretching up the valley and turning golden as the afternoon/evening progressed.

Had a long chat with a fellow camper outside his Jayco on the way back - like us, fuel prices and availability are limiting their travel, but they are determined to enjoy every day even if the journey does cost way more than planned!

I also spotted the funkiest van ever - zebra print paint, with a sliding door slide-out and a fake turf balcony!

We had a quiet evening with leftovers rehashed for dinner, a video chat with Abby & Harley and a walk under the stars. Wrapping up warm for the night as it’s gonna be cold… again 🥶