Cruise to New Zealand and Australia

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Tuesday, 4 February 2025 - Planned to see Maori rock art in Timaru, but rain made the excursion impractical; Cal joined another excursion to Lake Tekapo, stopping at Burkes Pass, viewing historic churches, the famous New Zealand Collie sheepdog statue, and the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo, enjoying the turquoise glacial waters and scenic mountain views.

australia2025 — On our way west we stop at Burkes Pass for a rest stop. It is quite a stop.

australia2025 — An old truck sitting in the yard.

australia2025 — There are several old trucks and cars in the rest stop yard.

australia2025 — Many old structures create a draw for tourists.

An old door.

australia2025 — Rusting truck with interesting patterns of color.

australia2025 — Great old car photo opportunities.

australia2025 — A fence made of skis, and there is lots of ski activity in the area. We are far from the coast and much higher.

australia2025 — A surprising stop in the mountains of New Zealand which attracts tourists to stop, along with the very nice restrooms.

australia2025 — Just down the road is the historic St Patrick's Church, the oldest Union Church in New Zealand built in 1872.

australia2025 — In the 19th century, Scottish shepherds came to work on the pastoral runs of the eastern South Island. Without the border collies, this high country could not function as a successful sheep ranch without the border collies they brought with them. To honor these 'canine Scots,' a statue of a collie was raised at Lake Tekapo.

australia2025 — Lake Tekapo is the destination, a big lake encompassing 32 square miles.

The water is crystal clear coming from glaciers in the surrounding mountains.

australia2025 — Lake Tekapo is 2,300 feet above sea level so much higher than the coastline.

A little snow tops the mountains of the Mount Cook National Park.

australia2025 — Large brown trout and rainbow trout are fished in Lake Tekapo.

australia2025 — The meltwater from the Southern Alps is tinged with a light turquoise color from the glacial silt. This gives Lake Tekapo its distinctive color.

australia2025 — The New Zealand Collie sheepdog sculpture.

The sculptor was Innes Elliott of Kaikoura, with a dog called Haig, belonging to a neighbor, as the model. A plaster cast was made, sent to London in 1966, and there the bronze statue cast.

australia2025 — Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd built in 1935, and is the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin.

australia2025 — The church is one of the most photographed in New Zealand and features an altar window that frames views of the lake and mountains.

australia2025 — The colors of the water are amazing.

australia2025 — A small stand of trees on the far shore.

australia2025 — Pigs in a field, all animals must be free-range in New Zealand, even pigs.

To keep the pigs safe from the weather, over sized dog houses were built.

australia2025 — A walk through the town leads to the Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru.

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