Te Araroa, New Zealand 2016/17
Follow us on our Four month adventure of walking 3,000km the length of NewZealand
Relaxing coffee and pie first
1st Feb Wednesday, Te Araroa 123 2,931km camp site Riverton to Invercargill 2,964km (33km) Late start this morning after two coffees at the camp site where the kitchen didn't open until 7:15 and the WiFi wasn't walking. Walked into town of Riverton to the local...
Where’s the rain?
31st Jan Tuesday , TA Araroa 122 2897km (Ports Water Race Track) next to mining equipment. To 2931km camp site Riverton. Tent Where's the rain? The Hiker from Martins Hut yesterday said that there was a 90% chance of rain first thing this morning, but instead at...
Ports Water Race Track
30th Jan Monday, TA Araroa 121 2856km to 2897km (Ports Water Race Track) next to mining equipment. Another early start at 6:40 this morning with everything packed after having a protein bar and a cup of tea. Camp site was nice with the soft pine needles making a soft...
Tough morning in the tent
29th Jan Sunday, Te Anau 120 Telford Campsite 2816kms to Pine forest 2856km (40km) Thank goodness we camped in a sheltered area as 4 o'clock this morning my tent was at first getting thrown about by the winds and then came the rain, I had to move fast and grab my...
I’m so cold
28th Jan Saturday, Te Araroa 119 2787km to Telford Campsite 2816kms tent (29km) tent Last night was one of the coldest nights I've had , simular to Deception River back near Arthur's Pass, I was so cold I went out of the tent twice during the night to only see a full...
Sheep country
27th Jan Friday, Te araroa 118 Kiwi Burn swing-bridge 2,741km to 2,787km tent (walked 33kms) (13kms by car) Tent Packed up the tent this morning with it still drizzling and then crossed Mararoa River via the last swingbridge. The other option of walking the...
Rain while setting up tent
26th Jan Thursday, TA Araroa 117 Taipo Hut, 2,700km to Kiwi Burn swing-bridge 2,741km (41km) Tent Second breakfast was at Boundary Hut, no water as it's been turned off for the winter in the event of the pipes freezing up. My first breakfast Going was easy to...
Mouse attack
25th Jan Wednesday, TA Araroa 116 Queenstown 2676km to Greenstone Carpark by car then walked to Taipo Hut, 4 bunks 2,700km (24km) From Queenstown we arranged a bus ride to get to the trail head to get us to Greenstone via Glenorchy. Costing 55 dollars. getting to...
Zero day in Queenstown
Te Araroa 115 24th January, Tuesday Lazy day with a lazy start, sleeped in until 7 o'clock. After a coffee it was time I visited the 4 square to do my shopping to last me for the next 8 days on trail. cost about 120 dollars with not to much in the way of luxury...
Arrowtown, here I come Queenstown
23 Jan Monday. Te Araroa 114 Arrowtown 2648km to Queenstown 2676km (28km) Waking up at 5am isn't what I wanted especially that we planed not to start walking until 8 o'clock, but since I've been on the trail it's seems to be the norm. Had left overs from last night,...
Cold river crossings and fresh snow on the hills
22ed Jan Sunday. Te Araroa 113 Macetown 2635km to Arrowtown 2648km (13km) Slow start this morning as it rained all night under our tin roof, it was cold but it would have been colder in our tent outside in the rain. Thank goodness for this historical bakers house that...
Macetown we putout a fire in a bakery so we can sleep
21 Jan Saturday. Te Araroa 112 Fern Burn Hut 2609km to Macetown 2635km (26km) Camped last night as the hut was full and thankfully it was a dry night but a little cold for me, but I sleeped through out night until I heard Ken get up at 4:30. One hour latter we both...
Wanaka and fish and chips, long days walk
20th Jan Friday. Te Araroa 111 Lake Hawea 2560km (Lucy) Fern Burn Hut 2609km (49km) real kms was probable 44km we took short cuts. (Tented) hut full After a big breakfast at Lucy's place, I was then dropped back off at the main shop in Lake Hawea to meet up with Ken....
Lake Hawea
19th Jan Thursday. Te Aroaro 110 Stodys hut 2539km to Lake Hawea 2560km (Lucy) (21km) Cold start for the morning but quickly warmed up as Ken and I made our way up just past Mt Breast to where we stopped for breakfast at Pakituhi Hut. The views over Lake Hawea and...
I’m totally exhausted
18th Jan Wednesday. Te Araroa 109 2512km Tin hut private hut to Stodys hut 2539km (27km) Yesterday Ken and I passed the 2500km mark, so it's less than 500km to go. We are travelling in the windy part of the country and last night it rained heavy. Hopefully it will be...
Today: passed the 2,500km mark
17th Jan Tuesday: te araroa 108 2482km stream to 2512km Tin hut (private) (30km) Early start of 6:30 and I feel much better than I was last night. Leaving behind Lake Ohau with a full rainbow and great views. We must have done over half the 800 meter climb yesterday,...
Lake Ohau and the winds
16th Jan Monday. Te Araroa 107 2446km just out of Twizel to 2482km next to stream, tent (36km) I had a late start this morning as I was waiting for Ken to arrive from Twizel, where he resupplied and had a big breakfast. I myself had a great breakfast, basic but it's...
Zero day, Just relaxing
15th Jan Sunday Te Araroa 106 Zero day, Just relaxing 2446km just out of Twizel over looking salmon farm Food packing and a visit to the supper market to resupply for the next 7 days that will get me down to Wanaka At the camping ground behind a local...
Views of lake Tekapo from the tent
14th jan Saturday: Te Araroa 105 2368km tent with a view over Lake Tekapo to Tekapo 2389km Woke up really early this morning from the cold, Ken was awake and was keen to head off at a silly time like 4:30 that time of the morning to get to the town, I wasn't. But we...
My feet have swollen up
13th Jan Friday. Te Araroa 104 Stone hut 2,333km to 2,368km (35km) tented Nice to stay in a hut for the night last night after the horrible night in the tent. I'm still travelling with Ken, it's great travelling with someone now, it takes your mind off the discomfort...
Rough night at Rangitata Gorge in the tent
12th Jan Thursday. Te Araroa 103 Bush Stream carpark, Rangitata Gorge Rd 2316km to stone hut 2333km (17km) Strong winds and rain pushing and twisting by tent side to side last night to the extreme. Not much sleep for me as water poured into my tent soaking everything....
Rangitata River Hazard Zone
11th jan wed. Te Araroa 102 Manuka Hut 2283km to opposite side of Rangitata river 2316km + 8km (41km) Rangitata River Hazard Zone Manuka hut Travelling alone again today, hadn't seen anyone all day expect the guy I shared the hut with that asked a million questions...
Start with a slow pace, the four of us
10th Jan Tuesday. Te Araroa 101 Rakaia Gorge camping ground 2245km to Manuka Hut 2283km (38km) The drive out to the start point to avoid the river, that's impossible to cross safety, took 30 minutes and at 8am, the four of us took off at a slow pass with Brenda...
Lake Coleridge
9th Jan Monday. Te Araroa 100 2228km Ryton River to Lake Coleridge 2245km (17km) Tented Rakaia Gorge camping ground we stayed at tonight No breakfast, just a coffee to get started at 6:30 this morning. Road walking isn't very interesting, my shoulder blade is a bit...
The Hilton of all huts
8th jan sunday. Te Araroa 99 Hamilton hut 2198 to 2228 Ryton River (30km) Tented Great 20 bed hut at Hampton three rooms two of them for sleeping and the other was kitchen/dining area. There was no pressure this morning to get going and with someone getting up early...
Arthur’s Pass , let’s try it again Tony
7th jan Saturday . Te Araroa 98 Cora Lynn Carpark 2183 to Hamilton hut 2198 (15kms) Harper River Track Late sleep in this morning, I wish I could have anyway as I wake up the usual time of about 5:30 with the kia birds making a racket of a noise outside the window....
Goat Pass Hut , then onto Arthur’s Pass
6th Jan . Te Araroa 97 Goat Pass Hut 2163km to Arthur's Pass (Bealey) 2181km The rain never came as forecasted and progress to the main highway was easy with a final river crossing just to insure my boots were wet before I hitchhike into Arthur's Pass. Finally got a...
the Deception River, extreame cold night
5 jan Thursday. Te Araroa 96 River crossings, the Deception River, Arthur's Pass Morrison footbridge 2,150km to Goat Pass Hut 2,163km Last night I tented and it was very cold, probable the coldest I've been on the trail so far, it felt I hadn't slept at all, touching...
Cold river crossings
4th Jan Wednesday: Te Araroa 95 Locke Stream Hut 2,127km to Morrison footbridge 2,150km (23km) Tented The river is still flooded but slowly coming down accordingly to my rock markers I was looking at yesterday. Locke Stream Hut looking out at the river Crossed a...
A hot pool and it’s only me
3ed jan Tuesday. Te Araroa 94 Hurunui Hut 2,104km to Locke Stream Hut 2,127km (31km) Harper pass Route I was awoken by the bird life outside, it wasn't that cold at 5:30 as I made porridge and a green tea. It was still dark in the cabin so the veranda had the morning...
Watch out for the Balls
2ed jan Monday. Te Araroa 93 Hope Half Way Shelter 2079km to Hurunui Hut 2104km (25km) Possum keeping me awake last night, I banged the walls a couple of times and it did the job and disappeared. Thankfully I had all my gear inside, I've heard stories of other's...
Hanmer Springs and hot breakfast
1 Jan 2017. Te Araroa 92 Boyle Village 2060km to Hope Half Way Shelter 2079km (19km) Rain last night and this morning, wake up early this morning to find my maps wet and a couple of my clothes items as well. The drop box I picked up yesterday that contains...
I’m so tired
Sat 31 December, TA Araroa 91 Left Anna Saddle 2041km arrived Boyle Village 2060km (19km) Another early start at 6:15, maybe no longer early as its becoming the norm. Crossed three swing bridges today and passed an old hut Rokeby Hut which I didn't bother to have a...
Sun shine and hello Canterbury
30th Friday December. Te Araroa 90 (tent ) Upper Waiau(1998km) Forks campsite to Anne Saddle(2041km), tent next to river. 43km Tented last night for the first time what seems to be a long time. yesterday's climb over the Waiau Pass was really challenging,...
Long day the Blue Lake
Te Araroa 89
Rest day then start on the Trail with Tony
27th Dec and 28th Dec Saint Arnauds1945kms to 1975kms Upper Travsers hut Rest day and now getting ready to start the track again I spent two days in Saint Arnauds one night at the backpackers and then another night with the family at the DOC campsite. Tony had arrive...
Crazy time to wake up
26th December 2016, Te Araroa 86 Days Good food and a shower Red hut 1928km to Saint Arnaud 1945km Crazy time to get up and start walking at 4;40 this morning, what was I thinking? I had no light as the lamp I did has i sent it back to Christchurch as it didn't really...
tragic history
25th December, Te Araroa 85 It’s Christmas day Hunter Hut 1910km to Red Hill hut 1928km On Christmas morning we started on the trail at 7:30 and then arrived at Porter’s Creek hut at 10:10 for our second breakfast where I had my last coffee with milk. We were warned...
River crossings, I’m not keen
24th December, Ta Araroa 84 days Mid Wairoa Hut 1893km to Hunter hut 1910km Here I sat in the Mid Wairoa hut reading my notes for the next section, I've read then a couple of time now as its the section of the track i haven't been keen about. Today is going to be a...
Knee pain, I give up
23ed December, Te Araroa 83 Richmond Alpine Track Old Man hut 1869km to Mid Wairoa Hut 1893km (24km) I woke up early, looked outside and all I could see was blue sky. I didn’t want to waist a moment in case the weather turned to the worst so by 6:30 I was climbing...
Should have stayed in my hut
22ed December, Te Araroa Richmond Alpine Track 82 Slaty hut 1861km to Old Man hut 1869km (8km) As predicted the weather has changed for the worst, three of us were in the hut for the night and by 8 o’clock, the guy that arrived late last night had packed up and...
Hunter’s missed out
21 December, Te Araroa 81 Rock Hut 1840km to Slaty hut 1861km (21km) Another early start at 7:15 leaving behind the hut that became full very quickly last night and now quilt with everyone still sleeping. The beagle dog I sore the previous day was tired up outside...
Richmond Rangers
20th December, Te Aroaro 80 days Richmond Range Pelorus river 1816km to Rock hut 1840km Last night was very warm but come morning it was a total different story. Two other TA walkers also camped alongside the river and they told me that a local said it was ok to...
Positive test, a life changing moment
19th December, Te Aroaro 79 day Smith Farm Holiday Park 1773km, Zero days in CHCH then back on the trail at Havelock. 7 days off the track where I headed down to Christchurch to see Eunhwa and to spend some time with my brother on his 50th birthday. The road from...
Queen Charlotte Sounds
11th December, Te Aroaro 71 day Queen Charlotte Sound track Communication building 1753km to Smith Farm Hoilday park 1773km free camp (20km) Peaceful sleep last night with the tent on the soft grass and its going to be an easy 20km walk to the Holiday Park. Started...
Free camp and Weka free
10th December, Te Araroa 70 day Queen Charlotte Sound track 1,727km Camp Bay Campground DOC to Communication building free camp 1,753km Nice and early departure, leaving behind the quite campsite to carry along the track with the hope of better weather. First couple...
Losing my travel partner
9th December, Te Araroa 69 day Furneaux Lodge 1715km (Queen Charlotte Sound track) to 1727kmCamp Bay Campground DOC (12km) Nice sleep in this morning in really confortable beds with electric blankets and the heater going all night to dry everything out. The living...
Ferry to the South island
8th December, Te Araroa 68 day Goodbye North Island hello South Island Picton 1703km to Ship Cove 1715km (Queen Charlotte Sound track) Boarding the ferry at 1:30am after waiting in the terminal for over three hour wasn’t very exciting. They took my walking sticks off...
Wellington
7th December, Te Araroa 67 day Levin- Wellington –Picton (Next day on morning ferry) Some how I have lost a couple of days of blog, but basically Eunhwa had really sore feet and we once again called Anna-Marie and she come down and picked us once we exited the...
Fantastic views
3 Dec. Te Araroa 63. Tararua Ranges Nichols hut to Parawai Lodge 23km, Early start this morning of 7:40, frost was on the ground with blue skies in all directions. Nichols hut In side Nichols hut Last night Climbing to our highest point of 1350m which was a great...
Cooking fuel running low
2 Dec. Te Araroa 62 Te Matawai hut to Nichols hut (8am to 5:30pm) I forgot to refuel my gas cooker while we were in Levin, we have enough if we reduce our cooking to just once per day and lucky for us, we have a lot of food that's doesn't need cooking such as...
Tararua Ranges. the race was on to beat the coming rain
1 Dec. Te Araroa 61 Levin to the second hut,(Te Matawai hut) Great weather for the next three days, that's what the weather man said, very unusual and a welcome relief from the overcast days and drizzle we have had on a regular base since starting this challenge 60...
Too dangerous cross
30 Nov. Te Araroa 60 Mangawhai-Makahika Track, Blackwood Stream (1521km) The plan for this morning as to get up early and head off and get to Levin where we have a bed for the night. Heavy rain last night and it continued for most of the day, Packed everything while...
Please, no noodles now
29 Nov. Te Araroa 59 It was a day of river crossings, thankfully it was just above ankle deep, first we started to remove our boots and used our plastic shoes but after a while, we both got tired of that and just crossed, now with wet socks but happy not having to...
Time to return to the trail
28 Nov. Te Araroa 58 After our disappointing trip down the Whangarei river, or the 2 hour trip that ended abruptly. We headed straight down to visit my auntie and my dad where we stayed and recovered for a week in Whangarei and did some sight seeing 28 Nov. Te Araroa...
Our canoe trip ended in Disaster
19th Nov: Te Araroa 49 7:30 o'clock start with our barrows all lined up and ready to go. Three hours latter we were on the river edge at Whakahoro, getting ready for our exciting 5 day adventure down to Whangarei. We were the last to get into our canoes as Eunhwa was...
Getting ready for Canoeing
18th friday Nov: Te Aroaro 48 Zero day in Ohakune We brought forward our planed booking for the canoe trip down the Whangarei river. Today the river level was very high and no canoes were going on the river today or there has been for the last five days due to the...
Tongariro Crossing, not going to happen
17th Nov: Te Araroa 47 Tongariro National Park Crossing. One of our goals was to cross the Tongariro Crossing which is part of the TA trail, I have done this in the past and with perfect weather it's one of the best short walks you can do on the north island. So nice...
4 river crossings, it’s getting to difficult
16th November: Te Araroa 46 Camp at Juntion on trail to free camp on Waione/Cokers Track Difficult day, four river crossings and the last two were a bit deeper on me , past my knees and just below my waist with a strong current and therefore with Eunhwa being shorter,...
last night with a warm cabin . bless
15th November: Te Araroa 45 Taumarunui campsite to 42 Traverse trail camped on the trail. then onto Tongariro National Park the next day. So nice to have a warm cabin for the night, it didnt have an onsuilt but it had a heater which we turned on the moment we walked...
Earthquake night
14th Nov, Te Araroa 44 Leaving behind Waihaha hut with the plan to walk 20km for the day and use the Alpine hut at the 1020km marker, that we found on the map so that would mean it would be only one km from the farm road where this would lead us down towards...
1,000km mark
13 nov: Te Araroa 43 Bog Inn hut 985km to Waihaha hut 1000km we made it. 1,000km we made it, we are one third of the way through our trip. Hard to beleave that we have been on the trail for 43 days so far and living in the tent most of the way. Couldn't really...
Bog Inn hut
12 Nov: Te Araroa 42 Te Kuiti Camp site 911km to Bog Inn hut 985km (Got a lift 914 to 965kms) Pureore Forest Park Rain, heavy rain for today. Started at Te Kuiti after viewing the statue of the New Zealander Sheep shearer on the edge of town. Te Kuiti they say is the...
Te kuiti campgrounds
11th Nov . Te Araroa 41 Made it to Te Kuiti camp site with a surprise that the camp site supports TA hikers with a 50% discount on a tent site. 8 dollars each. We went shopping and then spent some time with the wifi to get everything updated. Asked the camp manager,...
Long day walking through farmland
10/11/2016. Te Araroa 40 855km camp on side of road on green grass (exited from Hihikiwi Track) to 885km camped next to a nice stream. Many beehives along the day Sore some a wild goat on the track today, it was to quick for me to get my camera out to...
Hihikiwi Track mud pit
9/11/2016. Te Araroa 39 The Tahuanui Track Best walk for a longtime. The Tahuanui Track climbs steadily up a ridge through stands of tawa to the summit ridge where several tracks converge on the 959m summit of Pirongianice. The first couple of hours the track was a...
Relaxing afternoon
8/11/2016. Te Araroa 38 Today was a morning of pain. Earn start, thank you local farmer in allowing us the use of your green grass. My toe was screaming out with pain , the antibiotics obviously have kicked in yet, it felt that my toe was twice it's size and super...
Ingrown toe nail problem
7/11/2016. Te Araroa 37 My Toe problem Rain during the night, and it was so comforting to be in such a comfortable bed for the second night in a row. 6:30 am i was up, and with the boot wax I was given, I gave my leather boots a good clean and wax coatings. My toe...
Pookeako’s every where
6/11/2016. Te Araroa 36 Hamilton, passing through The trail angel lady was kind enough to drop us off at Hamilton Paknsave supermarket so we can prepare ourselves for the next day. It was a good thing we got a lift, the roads were narrow and it was just road walking...
A true trail angel
5/11/2016. Te Araroa 35 Wake-up , time to go Early start this morning 6:30am, breakfast had to wait until 2hours, the weather couldn't make up it mind which required many stops to put on/ off rain coats. Passed through many farm lands where cow, would follow us and...
Highway walking.
4/11/2016. Te Araroa 34 Mercer Hotel 719km to
Zero day
3/11/2016. Te Araroa 33 Zero day in Mercer Hotel, 719km Total rest day, it was great with the knowledge of not having to pack up our house this morning and with the plan to treat ourselves to coffee and hot breakfast not made out of a dehydrated pack. McDonald here we...
Hot shower and free campsite
2/11/2016. Te Araroa 32 Wairoa Reservoir 681km to Mercer Hotel 719km Early start, Pim studied the map and found an alternative to the bush walk that required a 200-300 meter hill climb along the muddy track, as we had heavy rain during the night it was an easy...
It’s cold
1/11/2016. Te Araroa 31 Hunua Falls track 669km to Wairoa Reservoir 681km Late start, why ? It was really cold. In the shade of the valley we walked along some of the best tracks to date, well maintained and easy going. But then, we turned off to follow the Te Araroa...
Road walking, I’m so over it
31 Oct. Te Araroa 30 Leaving Auckland behind with last minute Shopping to last us for the next 5days . First time using the alarm o'clock this morning set at 5am, good thing as it turned out as, as we were leaving the closed camp ground, the workers were turning up...
made it to Auckland, that’s 500km done
30 Oct. Te Araroa 29 Early start this morning with packing up the tent while it was still dark and then spent an hour over in the kitchen charging up our batteries and having breakfast at the camp site just north of Auckland. As we walked along the beach heading...
River crossing, it’s to deep
29 Oct. Te Araroa 28 20% done The crossing of the Okura River at low tide meant that we had plenty of time to walk 10km this morning. Cold and windy as we waited for the tide to change and even a cup of tea and noodles didn't make us warm. An hour before the low tide...
No, go away
28th Oct. Te Araroa 27 No go away Getting closer to Auckland and starting to get excited, The help along the way from total strangers have been great. Mainly road walking today to get to the point where we had to time our crossing at Okura River for low tide. Bit slow...
Bar Meal and a rest
27th Oct. Te Araroa 26 Had our first lunchtime bar meal while on the track, come midday or more like 2pm, we finally exited the walking track and by this time Eunhwa was really slow and tired and it took all my patience to say nothing and to be supportive. I had tried...
Freedom camping
26 Oct. Te Araroa 25 Freedom camping After the rains from the previous day, the tracks was muddy and progress was slow in the morning where by midday we had only done 9kms. But in the afternoon we put in the hours and finally stopped and camped for the night at 7pm....
knock knock, can we please camp for the night
25 Oct. Te Araroa 24 Beach and Mt Tamahunga Morning was low tide so we pushed on for 4 hours straight so that we would be finished with the beach before midday. We passed a few dead penguins along the way and from a distance we could see a sole walker, couldn't work...
leaving behind the clouds of sand flies
24th Oct. Te Araroa 23 We left behind the clouds of sand flies, and headed to Mangawhai Village. We made good time and distance today of 26kms which is about the the distance we would like to do most days. On average we do 3km per hour and generally we walk in...
A lazy start for the morning.
23ed Oct. Te Araroa 22 Waipu 418kms What a great start for the morning, up and out of bed at 6 o'clock and was the first in the kitchen preparing breakfast with lentils, curry paste and onions which was surprisingly nice with toasted sandwiches cheese and black tea to...
Waipu where the Internet is slow
22ed Oct.Te Araroa 21 Waipu, here we are, didn't take long to get into town and with today's goal is to update Eunhwa's blog and catch up with a few emails. We camped at the back of a Pub which offered a good discount for TA walkers, showered and washed our clothes...
The cow attacks Eunhwa
21th Oct. Te Araroa 20 6:30 start, no breakfast with the goal to push ahead and make it to Taurikura to arrive at the water edge for a lift to the other side of the bay. Eunhwa counted a minimum of 1,200 steps down to the foot of the hill. There we passed farmland...
Running out of water
20th Oct, Te Araroa 19 Ocean Beach We started our 9km walk on the Ocean Beach with little water between us, day was hot with high tide pushing us up onto the soft sand. We should have filled up just before we left the forest track where there was a stream just before...
River crossing at Taiharuru River
19th Oct Te Araroa 18: Nikau bay camp site to South side of River crossing (Taiharuru River) Early start this morning, we were lucky as James offered us a 7km lift to get us back onto the trail which would save us 2 hours walking As James was giving us a lift, he told...
hot herbal tea and a warm room
Te Araroa 17 18th Oct: Whananaki South near Captain Bouganville monument to Nikau Bay Campsite Our goal for the day, get to Nganguru which was about 20kms away. Meet the couple along the road cycling new Zealand and they were half way in their three year...
Did we cheat today?
17th Oct, Te Araroa 16 Oakura (backyard) to South of Whananaki Southtent near Captain Bouganville monument Did we cheat today? Our host this morning made us eggs on toast with coffee which was another nice treat and for a couple of hours we had the comfort...
Fresh fish for dinner, what a treat
16th Oct, Te Araroa 15 day Stayed at Beachside Holiday Park Boat trip (Opua - Waikare $20pp)7:30 start, we left the warmth of our cabin at Beachs Holiday Park We had two options to get around the Waikare inlet to start the Russel...
Waitangi Treaty
15th Oct Packing up the tent in the rain isn't fun, but not long after first light and without breakfast, we were heading back to the main road that would take us down to Waitangi. Walking through the rain this morning was slow going and we became grumpy with each...
Kerikeri then onto Waitangi
14th Oct - start out 12:30pm. We had a late start in Kerikeri this morning, a good rest in a cabin at the Backpackers and resupply at the shopping centre the previous day, we felt much better even with a late start of hitting the trail. It's surprising the...
Arriving into Keriker
13th Oct Stayed the night at Paketi campsite (DOC) last night, thankfully we didn't have to pay anything. The only thing we used was the water and the long drop toilets. There wasn't any kitchen but they did have a shower there but i wasn't brave enough to stand...
possum valley
12th Oct , Puket Forest We continued down the river after a peaceful night sleep camping high above the river on the grass and moss. Water as you would expect was cold and with no sign of life, in the deeper areas the water was brown probably due to the surrounding...
Exiting the Forest and Rangers, hamburger time
Exiting Raetea Forest and Maunga Taniwha Range 11th Oct Much warmer this morning, easy start at 7:20am. Walked down through the farm, past the farm house with the barking dogs and onto the national highway were we walked until Mangamuka, milk and bread and...
Thank you Kellogg’s for supporting us and our journey
10th Oct Cold morning, hard to get out of the sleeping bag so while still in the bag, I turned on the gas stove up and boiled water for Eunhwa 's korean soup, every thing was wet from the night dew but by 8:10am we were making our first hill climb on the track,...
forest walking from Herekino
9th Oct, Te Araroa 8. Start of Ketea track Eunhwa woke before me at about 6am Eunhwa wanted to get going, it was cold and I wasn't keen so we lay in for another hour. A 45 minute walk, we passed 2 tents, one of course being the boys just before the main road and the...
Te Araroa 7, Herekino Forest
8th Oct Early rise and hit the road at 7am. Pleasant walk before the Herekino Forest which has the reputation of being the toughest section of the entire Te Araroa track. Been told that we will have mud up to our knees and the chance of losing the path was high.From...
Te Araroa 6 rest day
7th Oct Rest day at YHA Ahipara, posted camera to Christchurch save weight 700grams, great fish and chips and generally lazy day. Eunhwa managed to catch up with here blog and updated her adventure so far to her Korean friends. Our feet were still tender but having a...
More sand on the 90 mile beach
6th October 7 this morning start and not long after that the rain came down. Panic to find our wet weather clothes and we were really lucky that it was to our back and pushing us along the beach, a very difficult day for Eunhwa especially after 3pm where her feet were...
90 mile beach and sore feet but still pushing on
5th Oct Great day weather wise, Te Araroa 4 Eunhwa was in much pain, her blisters on the pad of her foot were filled with liquid and blood. She screamed with pain and at times just wanted to throw in the towel and give up for the day. Midday we rested as the high...
Body aches
4th Oct, Te Araroa 3 day 40km walked 26km from Twilight to campsite. Today was tough, really tough, my whole body aches from my heavy backpack. Eunhwa had problems with her knee but she worked through it. Out of 8 people we were the last to arrive late at 18:15 with...
Finally we start on the beach
3ed Oct, Te Araroa day 2 Day 1 - lunch 2 packs of korean food (like minute noodles but with rice) Monday 7 : 30 am we got packing and headed for the road to hopefully catch the morning traffic, got our lift 10am by an English young couple in a campavan they purchased...
Te Araroa 1, Getting to our start point, Cape Reinga
Te Araroa day one, 2ed October 2016 Flight Christchurch to Auckland then onto Kerikeri The flight from Auckland to Kerikeri wasn't the best, the pilot came over on the PA announcing that we were going to experience severe weather, thunder, lightening and worst of...