Welcome aboard Air NZ Link Flight 2011 to Wanaka

On Wednesday of this week Air New Zealand withdraw's it air service to Wanaka. Before it ended I  wanted to take the opportunity to fly the service. Grabaseat fares of $45 each way and Airpoints made it possible for me to fly one of New Zealand's most scenic routes on the 8th of January 2013...
 

My ride to Wanaka... Beech 1900 flying NZ2011 flown by Brett and Alister...   

Our flight path today took us south towards Ashburton with great views of Lake Ellesmere

The changing face of the Canterbury Plains... green and circles as dairy becomes more prominent

The braided Rakaia River.

Ashburton

The headwaters of the Rangitata River

Mount Cook and Mount Tasman

Fairlie

Approaching Lake Tekapo with Mount Cook and Mt Tasman behind

Lake Tekapo

Lake Pukaki looking up towards Mounts Cook and Tasman

Top left, Lake Ruataniwha with the hydro canal flowing down into the headwaters of Lake Benmore while in the top right is Lake Pukaki

Lake Ohau

Benmore dam was spilling water - it must have been a spectacular sight on the ground.

Real Central Otago scenery on the GPS approach into Wanaka

The Clutha River

Bouncing along as we approach Wanaka airport and pass the Pisa Range with is dusting of new snow