South Island Canterbury Region 2021 Timaru to Lake Tekapo
Timaru to Lake Tekapo
Canterbury Region South Island
New Zealand
2021
TimaruWe have started traveling today after 3 weeks at Rakaia Motor Camp in Covid level 4,3 lockdown, now in level 2 first stop is to get groceries in Ashburton. Then onto Timaru, Caroline Bay staying the night and walking around the beautiful park and beach. The Cockatoo enjoyed a head scratch in the aviary, rewarding me with a bite drawing blood.
Waimate
Last year we looked the town over, so we decided to do some walks this time. Studholme Bush Scenic Reserve tracks are uphill hiking but with great views as a reward. Highlights a pair of Kereru nesting we have never seen that before and the White Horse Monument. 
Pair of Kereru nesting
Waterfall
Last year we looked the town over, so we decided to do some walks this time. Studholme Bush Scenic Reserve tracks are uphill hiking but with great views as a reward. Highlights a pair of Kereru nesting we have never seen that before and the White Horse Monument.
Pair of Kereru nesting
Waterfall
White Horse Monument
Lake Wainono WetlandWhen best-laid plans go astray, we had a 5-hour hike planned today starting at a car park that didn't exist with a tree down across the track and no way to turn around Frog had to back out for kilometres.There is another car park at the other end but is it phantom? not willing to take another risk we took the third option in the middle of the lake with only a view. Sanders FallsConsolation prize short walk to a small waterfall before heading to Awamoko NZMCA for the nights.
Kurow We had a good night at Awamoko NZMCA we were the only ones here, it was like having your own rural address and it was perfect.There is never a rush to get moving in the morning so after breakfast we visited Elephant Rocks and Anatini Geosite, a recommended detour off the main road and we enjoyed it.The wind started to get up by the time we got to Kurow, just up the road at the Waitaki Dam it was howling. We stopped to take photos of the wind blowing the water over the dam then decided to head back to Kurow Motor Camp on camp saver thanks for the shelter for a great price. All plans quickly forgotten to cross the Aviemore Dam (the wind would have been side on can you imagine that!!) to do the Deep Stream Track.We are in the red zone for wind and tomorrows forecast is for rain, so happy to be on camp saver to wait it out. 
OmaramaWe drove across the Aviemore Dam this morning and hiked the Deep Stream Track.
After having lunch at the Benmore Dam, we did the uphill Benmore Peninsula Walk it is enjoyable with great views, made better by the logging.
Driving through to Ahuriri Bridge Doc (free) Camp Site just up the road from Omarama, we decided to spend tonight
Lake McGregorWe stopped to visit friends staying at Ohau B this morning. The camp only had a few spare campsites and looked like a nice place to stay on such a lovely day especially if you're into fishing.We got a tip to have a look at Lake McGregor on the way to Lake Tekapo, we have decided to stay the night $20 non power per night.
Lake TekapoWhat a beautiful day, tomorrow is going to be a different storey weather wise so we made the most of it.Just up the road from Lake McGregor is our first walk for the day.Peninsula WalkwayJust under 6 km - 1.30 hr good walk with great views made all the better with no wind and lovely views. 
Mt John Walk TrackWanting to make the most of the stunning weather we decided to do the Mt John Track the longer track is just under 9 km - 3 hr and well worth it on a windless day like we had. (There is a shorter walk up to the summit) but not as rewarding.Lake Tekapo today was a remarkable turquoise colour that can easily be seen from shore and enough to take your breath away.We fueled up well at the cafe at the start of the walk, there is also a cafe at the summit but we knew that was closed today.Tonights stay NZMCA Tekapo.
Frog
Mt John Observatory 
Flat along the shore otherwise climbing
Tonight's parkLake TekapoWe decided to walk to town for a rest today lolIt is a nice walk along the waterfront from camp to town. So happy we made the effort yesterday, the cloud has come in and the sun has gone to sleep so it is cold.Moving on tomorrow heading for Fairlie.
Nice view along the waterfront
Looking over to where the camp is amongst the trees
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Lake Wainono Wetland
When best-laid plans go astray, we had a 5-hour hike planned today starting at a car park that didn't exist with a tree down across the track and no way to turn around Frog had to back out for kilometres.
There is another car park at the other end but is it phantom? not willing to take another risk we took the third option in the middle of the lake with only a view.
Sanders Falls
Consolation prize short walk to a small waterfall before heading to Awamoko NZMCA for the nights.
After having lunch at the Benmore Dam, we did the uphill Benmore Peninsula Walk it is enjoyable with great views, made better by the logging.
Driving through to Ahuriri Bridge Doc (free) Camp Site just up the road from Omarama, we decided to spend tonight
Driving through to Ahuriri Bridge Doc (free) Camp Site just up the road from Omarama, we decided to spend tonight
Lake McGregor
We stopped to visit friends staying at Ohau B this morning. The camp only had a few spare campsites and looked like a nice place to stay on such a lovely day especially if you're into fishing.
We got a tip to have a look at Lake McGregor on the way to Lake Tekapo, we have decided to stay the night $20 non power per night.
Lake Tekapo
What a beautiful day, tomorrow is going to be a different storey weather wise so we made the most of it.
Just up the road from Lake McGregor is our first walk for the day.
Peninsula Walkway
Just under 6 km - 1.30 hr good walk with great views made all the better with no wind and lovely views.
Mt John Walk Track
Wanting to make the most of the stunning weather we decided to do the Mt John Track the longer track is just under 9 km - 3 hr and well worth it on a windless day like we had. (There is a shorter walk up to the summit) but not as rewarding.
Lake Tekapo today was a remarkable turquoise colour that can easily be seen from shore and enough to take your breath away.
We fueled up well at the cafe at the start of the walk, there is also a cafe at the summit but we knew that was closed today.
Tonights stay NZMCA Tekapo.
Frog
Mt John Observatory
Flat along the shore otherwise climbing
Tonight's park
Lake Tekapo
We decided to walk to town for a rest today lol
It is a nice walk along the waterfront from camp to town. So happy we made the effort yesterday, the cloud has come in and the sun has gone to sleep so it is cold.
Moving on tomorrow heading for Fairlie.
Useful Links