We had a very nice break from hiking with our visit to Milford Sound. Mind and body refreshed, it was time to get back on the trail. We began with a nice farm track heading into the mountains.
Takitimu Forest
Category: hiking
Queenstown to Greenstone
Queenstown was an exciting place for a break from hiking but I was happy to get back on the trail. Less shopping, more walking.
Hitting the pause button in Queenstown
From the gold mining ruins of Macetown, we walked down to Arrowtown. Unlike Macetown, Arrowtown is a happening place, bustling with tourists. It has that somewhat tacky but fun feel of an old west gold town re-creation, not unlike Ballarat (Australia), Tombstone (Arizona), or Dawson City (Yukon).
We struck gold!
After enjoying Wanaka with Alison and Brian, we set out on the final section of mountainous walking on the Te Araroa.
Wanaka, New Zealand’s most picturesque town?
The walk from Lake Hawea to Wanaka is along a pleasant cycle track. We saw many people out for fun rides and jogging and lots of happy dogs.
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Lake Ohau to Hawea
We had a wonderful break at the Lake Ohau Lodge. All rested up, we were ready to hit the trail again. We began by following the A2O (Alps to Ocean) cycling track for a few miles. This is a continuation of the same cycling route we rode from Lake Tekapo to Ohau a few days earlier.
Cycling from Lake Tekapo to Lake Ohau
It was a beautiful morning walking down through wavy golden grass to the sparkling turquoise Lake Tekapo.
The highest point on the Te Araroa
We’ve made it to the highest point on the Te Araroa trail! After Wayne shuttled us around the Rangitata River, we rejoined the trail with some wisps of rain cloud still in the air.
Rakaia River to Rangitata River
After a night in the little town of Methven, we met up with Wayne from Alps2Ocean. Wayne shuttles cyclists and trampers all around this part of New Zealand and he offered to take us back to the trail on the south side of the Rakaia River. We met Wayne at the Primo Cafe, which felt like sitting in someone’s living room. Small towns have the most interesting and unexpected shops.
Harper River
It took us six days to walk from Boyle Village to Arthur’s Pass and we were looking forward to a shower and a comfy bed. Every last room was booked up for the big race, so we caught a ride back to the trail and stayed at the unassuming Bealy Hut.
Eating Snow Around the World 