South Island Canterbury Region 2020 Lindis Pass to Waimate
Lindis Pass to Waimate
Canterbury Region South Island
New Zealand
2020
We drove over the Lindis Pass this morning by the time we reached the summit the rain had started it is a stunning drive and would have been so much better in fine weather.
Canterbury has welcomed us with steady rain so time to hunker down at Ahuriri Bridge Doc Camp just up the road from Omarama.
This morning woke to a fine day with snow cover
Quailburn Clay Cliffs
Fascinating visit, wonderland...
After the cliffs, we turned left at the end of the road to take in the Quailburn scenery.
Ohau, Glenbrook, Twizel
We have had a day of eye candy, tonight we have settled into Twizel Holiday Park on NZMCA camp saver lovely camp with very good facilities. Paid for 2 nights but may stay longer getting the bikes out tomorrow weather permitting.
Lake Ruataniwha
Twizel
Went for a bike ride and ended up on a bone-shaking road beside a wildlife sanctuary that goes for kilometres, 26km round trip.
wildlife sanctuary
Looking out to Lake Benmore
Mt Cook National Park
Staying a few nights here to do some tracks while the weather is so beautiful
We visited the information centre, it has some interesting history with photos.
Tonight we are staying at the Doc Camp.
Hooker Valley Track
The walk was 10.8 km return and took us 3 hours 20 minutes with a good stop at the other end.
The first stop was the Alpine Memorial, then onto Mueller Lookout, Hooker Lake is 1 and a half hours. It is all easy walking but I did get a windburn face and the swing bridges had a good wobble on in the exposed areas
Alpine Memorial
Mueller Lake Lookout
Mueller Lake Lookout
Lake Pukaki
Staying tonight at Lake Pukaki Car Park (free camping) although I did see a donation box so will check that out.
We decided to leave Mt Cook this morning the wind gusts were getting scary and with a gale-force wind and rain warning in place for this afternoon it was safer to move.
There is no wind here at Lake Pukaki yet, with the same warnings in place we are hoping we are in a sheltered place.
We can see a bike track so will get the bikes out and explore.
Lake Pukaki
25km bike ride along the lake to the dam and back
Lake Tekapo
Last night we had gale-force winds at Lake Pukaki,
Even though we moved to a more sheltered spot it still kept us awake, so pleased we moved from Mt Cook camp when we did.
Today we are parked at Lake Tekapo NZMCA camp, we had a walk around town and visited the famous stone church and now ready to have a restful afternoon.
Lake Tekapo
Sunset tonight feeling relaxed
Lake Tekapo
Leaving today but couldn't help taking one more photo
Orari Gorge
Staying tonight at Orari Doc Camp. Lovely camp
On the way here we stopped at Burkes Pass and visited Three Creeks Trading Post, loved it here even though we didn't buy anything but would have if we weren't renting the house out.
We did the Orari Gorge walk this morning through the bush to the sound of Tui, we saw juvenile Tui everywhere. Some steep long climbing up the hills so stopped a few times to get the heart rate down.
West Melton
Staying a couple of nights at The Willows NZMCA Camp
Waimate
It's been a walk through the park day, 2 parks in Timaru and 1 in Waimate
Tonight's stay at NZMCA Waimate
Staying a couple of nights at The Willows NZMCA Camp
Christchurch
Weedons NZMCA staying until Saturday hope to catch up with our son Phil he's flying down for work.
Christchurch
We are going to have an expensive week; we started the day with a wash.
Then decided even though a bit early we get our COF no worries right, wrong we failed on 2 front tyres.
No worries right, we will go to Carters and get the recommended tyres Robin already did homework on them, wrong there is none in stock.
We ended up finding 2 and can get them sent by courier, please nothing goes wrong with this our COF runs out on the weekend.
We at least have got a clean motorhome and a new Rego.
Next, service for the motor.
Timaru
Staying the night at Caroline Bay will go for a walk at sundown looking for Timaru Penguins.
The most exciting thing we saw today was a traction engine going down the highway
Timaru
Caroline Bay Park
It's been a walk through the park day, 2 parks in Timaru and 1 in Waimate
Tonight's stay at NZMCA Waimate
Omarama
Last night in the Canterbury region stayed here on the way to Christchurch, travelling a road we haven't been on before to get here. Much less snow than last time, tomorrow we are going back to Wanaka on our way back to Queenstown, where we left off to get our service done on the Motorhome in Christchurch.
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