South Island Southland Region 2021 Invercargill to Te Anau

Invercargill to Te Anau

Southland Region South Island

New Zealand

2021

Invercargill

We had a great time in the Catlins and could do it all over again, but new explorations await.

We visited Invercargill last year and did the motor museums so after we catch up on chores we will check out what's on offer.

Just a short 50 km trip to get here today arriving with the rain, we booked in for 10 days at the NZMCA Park and watched as the park filled up so very popular here.

Staying here 10 days

Nice looking sheep

Invercargill Estuary Walkway

We had a nice 5km loop walk from the NZMCA Camp today. The tide was out giving us a chance to see the birds feeding, it would be nice to do it again with the tide in.

It is also the start of the cycle/walkway to Bluff that is on our to-do list.

Tide is out

Spoonbills

Invercargill Queens Park

The big walk today from NZMCA Park to Queen Park to look at the beautiful gardens 14kms return. The weather here is dull and dreary but at a comfortable temperature while walking.

Entrance

Chinese Garden

Huge Aviary

Rose Garden

Japanese Garden

This one is alive

This was is not

Water wheel

War Memorial

Invercargill

Yesterday we had a bit of a wet bike ride out to Sandy Point winding our way along all the back gravel roads and then onto Oreti Beach.

There are heaps of walks out at Sandy Point for future things to do. But today we did all the chores including washing the motor home at

Ezy Clean Car Wash, Self-service car wash,110 Ettrick St, Open 24 hours. We had done a lot of gravel roads so nice to be clean again, it only cost $16 with wax and gave Frog a good workout while I feed the machine tokens.

Grey skies

Whale Bay

Sun out for 5 minutes

Invercargill has everything!!

Oreti Beach

Tonight's sunset walking around the estuary

Waihopai River Walk/Cycle Loop Track

We walked the riverside track to the Waihopai Dam, then back along the flood bank on the other side of the river all up from camp 16km.

It's a great exercise track with plenty to look at but if we were to do it again we would come back on the same side of the river. The track has gravel, but on the left, on the return, we were walking on grass that was grazed by sheep so more difficult and not great if riding a bike. It's been another grey day with light showers.

Tomorrow is a town day as the COF is due.

Decided 16km is over my limit

Frog

The bridge looks a bit sad

Waihopai River

Photo of the girls

Replica

Invercargill

We have used our 10 days for this month in the NZMCA Park so moving on today. We would like to give everyone concerned that made this park available a big thank you, and to Ian Mckay super job you are doing with your flair for all things nautical we love it.

Last night we had one last walk around the estuary, we will back still have the stuff to do in Invercargill.

Dipton

Hill Scenic Reserve

Derek Turnbull Track

Not far from Invercargill, we decided to have a stopover beside the river at Dipton tonight.

On the drive today we took a side road to Forrest Hill Scenic Reserve for a hike up the hill we were rewarded with a lookout on the loop track.

Just come back from a walk along the river edge.

Today hike

We only did the loop

No wetas here

Farmland view from the lookout

Today's hike

Tonight's Park

Riverside walk

We are enjoying the peace in a beautiful setting now we have turned the generator off!! we needed to charge the bikes.

Lumsden

After parking up at the Lumsden NZMCA, we walked to the town centre for a look around.

Lumsden

Around the Mountains Cycle Trail

Started the trail from the NZMCA park at 10.30am. We were lucky with the weather it was forecast for rain today, although overcast excellent temperature for riding.

We cycled from Lumsden to Athol where we had a light lunch and got back to Lumsden at 3.00pm all up 67kms. The ride is very easy with beautiful scenery, it's just having to do it as a return trip that makes for a sore backside for me.

Lumsden NZMCA park

Lumsden

Around the Mountains Cycle Trail

Started the trail from the NZMCA park again this morning heading to Mossburn 41km return

Bit of a boring ride mainly straight beside the road so nothing to break the pace.

Te Anau

Last night we decided on Te Anau, we were going to go to Central Otago but flipped at the last minute. With Autumn colours started and learning about the Autumn festival in Arrowtown we booked into the holiday park there for 6 nights over the festival. They have a special 3 nights pay for 2 thanks Kiwis fly the coop for the tip.

In the meantime booked into Te Anau NZMCA for 10 nights. We were here last year but still have the stuff to do.

Te Anau Sunset

Our neighbours

Te Anau

This morning we biked around town and the lakefront. Then booked the 2 pm tour to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, it starts with a 20-minute boat trip across the lake to the caves.

We would recommend this tour 100% sadly there is no photography in the caves so borrowed a few from the web that doesn't show the full glory.

Bike Ride

From Te Anau to Manapouri and back on the cycle track 65km return. We went as far as the track end last year, there is still about 4 km of the main road and then the track starts again from the Manapouri end which was a surprise. It was nice and cool with overcast weather, we had lunch at the cafe in Manapouri before the ride home.

We Walked to Ivon Wilson Park and around Lake Henry, ending up across the road from the Bird Sanctuary. We were in luck getting a nice view of the Takahe such a special bird.

Te Anau

Walked to town for market day, all things Tartan was happening in the community hall and the park outside providing entertainment.

Brought a photo of a cheeky Kea printed to Acrylic.

We thought the water plane was going to take off but he was just parking it at the mooring for the night.

Te Anau

Kepler Track

Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay Hut on Lake Manapouri and return.

Access the track at Rainbow Reach (15 minutes drive from Te Anau) by crossing the big swing bridge spanning the Waiau River.

12km return hike from the car park. The full track is 60 km in length so beyond our fitness, but we hope to do some more before we leave Te Anau.

We had rain showers along most of the walk, and although it didn't put people off being Easter Sunday the huge car park was full.

12km-3hrs

Waiau River.

2nd swing bridge

robin/toutouwai

We walked to Shallow Bay Hut

Lookout

Peat swamp

Spirit Lake

Shallow Bay Lake Manapouri

Te Anau

Kepler Track

Today we went in at Rainbow Reach the same place as yesterday.

After crossing the big swing bridge spanning the Waiau River and about 200mtr along the track we have a choice of direction. We took the track heading to Te Anau Lake outlet control gates another entrance point to the Kepler track we walked 5km then returned all up 10km seemed easy after yesterday.

Tomorrow we plan to do the other half starting at the control gates.

Kepler Track

Brod Bay to Te Anau

We took the Kepler Water Taxi to the sandy shores of Brod Bay and walked the 11 km back to town, passing the Wildlife Centre to view the rare Takahe along the way.

Just under 3 hours walking, then on top of that the short boat ride.

It would have been about the same distance walking if we had parked at the control gates and return hiked to Brod Bay. The water taxi cost $25 each, both ways make for an enjoyable day.