South Island Canterbury Region 2021 Fairlie to Lake Brunner

Fairlie to Lake Brunner

Canterbury Region South Island

New Zealand

2021

Fairlie

It was a short drive from Tekapo to Fairlie.

We had dinner middle day at the pub the lamb shanks were perfect, and the entertainment was supplied by a rugby club passing through from Christchurch.

Staying tonight at the Fairlie Holiday Park on NZMCA Campsaver.

Lake Opuha

A short drive from Fairlie and well worth it, we had a look at the three free camps and the Dam before choosing the north camp. Apart from a few day visitors, we had the camp to ourselves so peaceful with perfect scenery.

The Lake is man-made and built for irrigation so the lake water level gets very low in summer.

Boats are allowed, there were a few on the lake.

Opuha Dam

Tonight's park

Mt Nimrod Doc Camp

(no internet or phone coverage)

We had a night back at Fairlie Holiday Park after leaving Lake Opuha we drove to Pioneer Doc Camp. Unfortunately, we couldn't cross the ford we didn't even try, it has a steep in and out and we could tell just by looking at it we would bottom out. We enjoyed the drive and now know for future reference this camp is off the list.

We had a day in Fairlie lunching at the pub and buying summer clothes then back to Fairlie Holiday Park.

This morning we departed but not before trying the Fairlie Pies at the bakery.

This time we got into Mt Nimrod Doc Camp, we did walk up the drive first to make sure it was ok for the motorhome. We were the only ones staying at night it is beautiful with the Kowhai in flower and lots of birds singing.

Mt Nimrod Loop track

Got to be one of the nicest hikes we have done, although the climbing starts from the word go I managed it ok. The waterfall was spectacular with the water flowing through a rock arch something new and a wow sight.

The walk is further than stated and took longer, just under 5km-3.15hrs.

So if you don't mind heights and a bit of rock climbing this is a must-do walk, especially at this time of year with the Kowhai out.

Good footwear is needed, I recommend boots to protect the ankles and dry weather the track would be tricky if it had been wet.

Loved this waterfall

Greats views

Otaio Gorge Doc Camp

(no internet or phone coverage)

We traveled through the gravel back road from Mt Nimrod to Otaio Gorge Doc Camp nice quiet camp once again the only ones here. Unfortunately, there are no walks here apart from a small walk along the river to the swimming hole, there's bad algae here so I would be surprised if anyone still uses it for swimming.

We stayed one night, but if you enjoy reading a book and have a Doc Pass it would be a quiet place to stay.

Timaru

We had 2 nights at the Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru to catch up on shopping and laundry.

A good place to stay, $6 for us, we usually stay at Caroline bay but this makes a nice change and a lot quieter.

Peel Forest

We had a short stop at Temuka for gas, Winchester for Diesel, and the dump station at Geraldine.

There are short walks in Talbot Forest in Geraldine so we did those before heading to Peel Forest.

The weather forecast is nasty near the divide for a few days, we are booked into the Peel Forest Doc Camp.

There are plenty of walks that suit us here so here's hoping the weather will be ok.

The Internet seems ok but does fade at times, a lovely camp on power.

The First Doc camp we have stayed at that has everything we need, including hot showers and a washing machine and dryer.

Peel Forest

This will be our 5th night here at the Peel Forest Doc Camp, it has been nice and peaceful with only a few other campers coming and going.

We did the walks for 2 days after the rain stopped and today we are resting and catching up on the washing.

We will need to come back to finish the tracks unfortunately, we have stuff booked in at Christchurch.

Peel Forest has been one of the best forests we have walked with huge Kahikatea, Mataï, Tōtara trees being the feature and huge Kōwhai flowering everywhere. There is also plenty of birdlife that we have seen on our walks.

Photos don't show how huge these trees are

Today's walk loop track taking in Acland Falls Track, Allans Track, Deer Spur Track, and Fern Track.

Today we did another short walk before we left the Peel Forest

Christchurch

Staying for 6 nights at Weedon NZMCA. It's that time of year again where we need to get the motorhome serviced and a COF, but first tomorrow we need to wash it after the roads we have been on.

On the way, we stopped to do the Rakaia we did the River Terrace Walkway.

Peel Forest

We got our service on the motorhome done, cof, washed, and renewed the registration and insurance so several thousand dollars lighter.

Looked at the shops and got our second covid jab. The only sightseeing we got done was a drive through the Lyttelton Tunnel and back over the Dyers Pass, skinny steep windy roads over there in a motorhome.

We were going to do more in Christchurch but couldn't wait to get out of the city.

So here we are back in Peel Forest for a few days to finish off the tracks. We did Emily Falls first, we were going to do Rata Falls the next day but it is closed.

Frog decided to do the Little Mt Peel hike, so I stayed back and finished off the map I have been working on.

He took 6.34 hours to do 8.36 kilometres so steep. He got back with his knees very sore, so happy I didn't even attempt this one.

Methven

We drove about 6km up the road after leaving Peel Forest Camp this morning to have a look at the little church that got badly damaged in the big earthquake.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/96460350/mt-peel-church-of-the-holy-innocents-reopening-after-earthquake-repairs

Then headed to Mayfield and Mt Somers to have a look, turning around at the end of the tar seal the gravel road to the lakes looked more like mud.

Hakatere Station Stone Cottage 1865 is here, we stopped for a look and have lunch in the car park.

There are plenty of walks out this way but all are a bit long for me.

Next, we headed to Methven staying at The Blue Pub for free so will go for Dinner.

Glentunnel

We had a walk around Methven before heading to Awa Awa Rata Reserve to do a walk and look at the Rhododendrons in flower, not all were flowering but still nice.

We did the loop hike via the Ridge and Scott Saddle Tracks taking 2 hours to do 6 kilometres.

Rakaia Gorge Track was on the list to do but we got there to a howling gale, so carried on to Glentunnel Holiday Park on NZMCA Campsaver it is a large camp with nice facilities.

Tonight's park

Lake Brunner

And just like that, we are back in the West Coast Region at Lake Brunner Motor Camp, after doing a slow loop over the Lindis Pass down as far as Timaru and inland taking 2 months.

Today we had a look at Darfield, then only stopped in Arthurs Pass for lunch it was cold!! The roads over were busy today and we even had a light snow shower.