We couldn't contact any of the relatives in Gisborne because they were, according to the TV news, without internet or mobile phone or phone connection. The news looked like Gisborne was in complete We were able to change our Air New Zealand flights from Auckland to Sydney to Wellington to Sydney.
We caught a very early morning departure from Wellington to Sydney which happened to be on the same plane as Celia and Michael.
Marlborough shuttle to Blenheim Airport (1/2 hr drive from Picton airport) to catch an even tinier plane (4 windows) to Wellington.
We left a beautiful, sunny, windless day in Blenheim to arrive in windy overcast Wellington. Farewelled Deb who is heading home today. Caught taxis into the city.
Dropped our bags at Boulcott Suites and had breakfast at Machete Cafe. I stayed to sort out of flight chaos because the cyclone hit Gisborne and we can’t visit Ron’s relatives who live there.
Everyone else went to the Te Papa and met Deb there! She was making the best of her last day in Wellington.
Last day on the Queen Charlotte Track. Te Mahia to Anakiwa 14km. 1km uphill to get back to the track from Te Mahia resort.
Celia and Michael walked up from Te Mahia resort to cross the track and go downhill to Waterfall Bay. The boat picked them up and after a scenic tour of Grove Arm they went back to Picton to the same apartments we had at the start of the walk.
The rest of us walked on to Anakiwa 12.5 km once we had reconnected with the Queen Charlotte walk. It rained lightly for the first hour then it was dry but cool - good walking weather and we made pretty good time despite the wet track.
Arrived 3.5hrs after we left Te Mahia.
It was wet underfoot a bit slippery and squishy but we had wet pants, gaiters (I did) and I stayed pretty clean (some didn’t!).
Caught the Cougar lines boat back to Picton and stayed at the same apartments as before. Dinner at the Oxley Hotel. Another great pick by Michele and Cressida.
Wet, raining and very windy 35kmph gusts. Luckily we were fairly protected most of the walk. 22,125 steps - 15.33km.
Very slow with photos and updates because we finish the walks and have dinner and go to bed!
Picton to Ship Cove via Cougar lines.
Then started the Wal from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge.
Routeburn Falls Lodge to Routeburn Shelter.
We have survived and finished the walk! Had a welcome drink at the Glenorchy pub and the bus back to Queenstown.
Day 2 Routeburn Track: Lake Mackenzie Lodge to Routeburn Falls Lodge.
None of my photos show the true slope of the terrain we’ve been walking through. You can see at the start of the day we are down by a lake or river and by lunchtime we are far far above it.
Walked up rocky “steps” and steep switchbacks for an hour. Then came upon stunning Ocean Peak viewpoint with fabulous views right down to the river below and across to the surrounding mountains and snow covered peaks.
Morning tea amongst the peaks. We were not helicoptered up here - we started down there at the level of the river and slogged all the way up!
Easy walking along narrow paths with steep drop offs for the next few hours around to Harris Saddle Shelter. Lovely, sunny weather so walking on a thermal tshirt.
Lunch at Harris Saddle Shelter with flushing toilets and hot tea, coffee, milo or miso. Some people (Deb included) decided to do the 2 hour round trip to Conicle Hill.
The rest of us enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the sun on the wide decks of the shelter and ambled along fairly easy tracks (unless you hate downhills) with a a fair amount od downhill including rock “stairs”. If it hadn’t been for the first hour it would have been a perfect walk.
Dinner was wonderful mushroom soup to start, rack of lamb and vegetables (or Salmon) for main followed by chocolate ganache slice - the GF version was lovely - for dessert.
Off to the routeburn at 6:15am.
Caught the ultimate hikes bus from Queenstown to Te Anu.
the mountains! No internet now for 3 days! 🎉
We got off the bus and put our raincoats on our packs and raincoats on our bodies and hefted our packs onto our backs. The first hour and a half was a very steep uphill. Lucky we were keen!
