South Island Canterbury Region 2021 Lewis Pass

Lewis Pass

Canterbury Region South Island

New Zealand
2021

Reefton

We had an uneventful trip to Reefton this morning only stopping at Lake Brunner for a look at the lake and camp we stayed at late year, they were doing improvements at the time.

We have done all the walks in this area last year so keen to move on through the Lewis Pass.

Spending tonight in Reefton at the Strand free camping site so convenient in town. We walked down the main street and as expected found stuff we needed to buy, we looked in on the hairdresser but she was booked out all week so no need for supporting small towns there.

The West Coast has been a complete contrast to last year once again in drizzle rain.

Reefton tonight's stay

Lake Brunner

Hanmer Springs

We have spent 3 nights at Pines Holiday Park on nzmca camp saver in Hanmer Springs.

We left the West Coast in the Rain travelling over the Lewis Pass with no enthusiasm to stop for walks.

Hanmer Springs surprised us, it has more shops and housing than we expected.

Yay, we managed to get into the hairdresser here well overdue for a tidy-up, and she is relying on visitors to the area to keep her going so happy to oblige. We also cruised the shops and managed to get some finds.

The next day we spent a couple of relaxing hours at the mineral pools, there is lots of variety with the pools and something for everyone young and old.

We managed to get a walk-in on our third day in the drizzle, about a 10km - 3 hours loop from camp. Taking in the Forest Art Carving and Conical Hill Lookout.

There is much more to do here if you like biking, tramping, swimming, dining, or just chilling out with a massage and private spa.

Waikari

Well, we got it a bit wrong today and wasted a fine day. It could have been worse and driven 56km on a corrugated narrow gravel road only to find a current Red Alert.

Lake Taylor – 4WD access only.

Due to recent weather damage, the road to Lake Taylor Campsite is restricted to 4WD access only.

We stopped to overnight in Waikari because we needed to make a phone call Monday before going bush.

It pays to look up remote Doc camps before making plans for current alerts.

Rakaia

We are at Rakaia Motor Camp on nzmca camp saver for locked down. We are the only motorhome on the hill overlooking the camp and trees. The lower level has permanent residents and the facilities, we can use the dump station otherwise self-contained.

Next week we will need to take the 50km trip to Christchurch to pick up our scripts and get the first covid jab.

After that like everyone else, we will wait and see what happens.

We are pleased we weren't at the Wooded Gully Doc Camp when the lockdown was announced. We did go there only to find it muddy everywhere and more rain coming, so decided not to stay there. Moved onto Rangiora Eco Holiday Park for one night yesterday having a look around Rangiora before ended up here at Rakaia.