“On a Mish” #431 Bob Fortune’s Cove (Part Two). Bobs Cove, Queenstown. Otago. 9.2.2025. William Rees must have been buzzing when he first saw Lake Wakatipu and the location that would very quickly become ‘A Town Fit for a Queen’. Long with the incredible views, the Queenstown area would also become famous and populated thanks to gold. In a very short amount of time what was a small farm in a remote spot became “Canvastown”, thanks to all the miner’s tents. One of the visitors in the early days was a man named Bob Fortune. Bob would take people of boat rides up the lake and if the weather soured, he would sneak into a small cove for shelter. Now well over 150 years later I’d find myself just above the cove at my good mate Mark’s house congratulating him on the quality investment he made by purchasing one of the last properties above Bob’s beautiful bay / cove…
Directly across from Mark’s house is a small knob which sticks out over the bay. While hanging out I saw many people wandering up the track to the top of the knob and I knew it would be only a matter of time before we were one of those people. After consuming what some might call too much food (not us!) and a quick trip into town for supplies, we needed another stroll. The trip into town was amazing as it had been a while since I had been there, and the place had changed heaps. More buildings, cars and people proved that Covid-time tourism was well behind us and things were in full swing in New Zealand’s tourism capital.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of Queenstown was a welcoming change of pace for the senses. To go from people packed streets to a peaceful private road with a couple of quiet souls on it was a new norm I was looking forward to getting used to. Once again, I had to commend Mark on the land he had purchased.
With all the jobs taken care of it was time to go for a wander up the small peak on the end of the Bobs Cove Peninsula. I could tell the top of the knob would give commanding views of the area and I was excited (and nervous) it get myself to the top. As usual, the crown for most excited went to Georgie and she powered along the trail with purpose towards our goal.
From Mark’s place I could tell that the last climb was rather steep, thankfully we were warmed up by the time we reached the base. With an almighty grunt we scrambled up the track and were then gifted an outstanding view as a prize. Out one side was the sheltered bay and small area where Mark’s and the other houses of the cove have been built. And then out the other was views along Lake Wakatipu at the massive mountains that rise skyward around it. I knew I was going to be sore once we got back, but the sights made it a mish worth going on.
After getting back we chilled for a while as I needed time to rest my weary broken bits. Once recovered-ish we were back at it getting the place ready for Mark’s Whanau to stop by for a BBQ. It is always great catching up with Mark’s Fam as I have known them for a long time, and they are really good people. The evening couldn’t have been better for cooking and consuming good grub outside, this visit to Bob Fortune’s Cove couldn’t have gone any better!
Early-ish the next morning I was up before sunrise as there was rain in the forecast and after a warm, dry night I didn’t want to have to deal with a wet tent before I left. Aided by torchlight I quickly packed my tent away, finishing as the first spits began to fall. My timing was spot-on as not long after getting my gear away the heavens opened, and rain began to thunder down. With my gear safely away, I could just kick back and watch the place soak in the liquid sunshine.
My time at Bob’s Cove sadly came to an end, but good things must end so we can begin to appreciate them. After saying goodbye to my bro with the same name Georgie and I hit the road and began our quest north. Almost immediately I was shocked back into reality as I hit Queenstown / Frankton Road traffic and had to crawl along before finally escaping town. This made me even more grateful for my time chilling at Mark’s and it reinforced how good an idea it was for him to purchase a place in this little slice of paradise. Shot Houli, you did real good buying a home in Bob Fortunes magical cove!
