Methven to Lake Coleridge Canterbury Region South Island 2022
Methven to Lake Coleridge
Canterbury Region
South Island New Zealand
2022
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Methven
We decided to try the Methven Trotting Club.
Last year we called in but they hadn't prepared the parking so didn't know where to park. It will be a great spot in summer, but still a little wet for a front-wheel drive so we parked with the front wheels on the gravel and all was good.
Costs $5pp per night has a water tap onsite, is dog-friendly and wifi is good.
Methven Loop Track
Enjoyable 12.7km walk with a stop at the Blue Pub for lamb shanks and a beer.
We started at the racecourse and the Enchanted Forest, if you have young kids at least do the forest it is so cute.
Enchanted Forest
Resting place
View along the way
The Garden of Harmony is in full blossom
Blue Pub
Easy loop walk
Mt Hutt
We took the Jimny up to Mt Hutt Sky Fields, not somewhere we would take the motorhome so we were amazed to see one in the top car park.
The car park was full
View from the car park
Following photos of the view on the way down
I can see the Rakaia River where we are going for a hike
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
From Mt Hutt, we drove over to the Rakaia Gorge Walkway.
It was hot when we started and the weather changed to freezing just as we got back to the car park.
We went all the way
The water is incredibly blue
Plenty doing the jet boat rides today
Looking back to the road bridge
2-minute side track to the mine
Not a good hike if you don't like hills
Out and back, challenging for this old girl
Lake Coleridge Village
Moved from Methven to Lake Coleridge Village the road is sealed all the way to the village, but to venture further to the Lakes it is gravel.
The road on the north side of Lake Coleridge has a heap of small Lakes well worth the drive and walk to Lake Ida.
The Pop is in a paddock we managed ok with front-wheel drive, but could be doubtful in wet weather. Pets by prior arrangement only, no wifi/phone at camp, but some in the village. There is a donation box at the gate and a 2-night stay limit, but we asked for 4 nights so we could do the walks.
There is a dump station opposite and for short walk flush toilets, also no shops so don't forget anything.
We shared the sheep paddock
Trailrace Track
After parking, we walked through the cemetery and down to the river the path took us back to the power station.
Lake Coleridge Power Station
Lake Coleridge
We drove here in the Jimny to do the Lake Hill Walk, stopping first to look at the intake for the power station. There are warning signs to stay away from the intake, which makes my imagination run wild.
Lake Coleridge is 5km from camp
View from the road
View from the carpark
Lake Hill Track
The track starts back up the intake road and was overgrown and steep in places, so wouldn't rave over this track.
View of the lake along the way
Turn around point, where the track meets the road that goes towards Lake Ida
Out & back and mostly easy hike
Drive
After the hike, we drove out to the end of the lake on the south side to see what we could see. It is a narrow road that shows kilometres of remote!! farmland.
Lake Ida
We enjoyed the drive and then walk to Lake Ida through alpine plants in this remote part of the country. Beside the road, there are lots of small lakes that are used for in-season fishing.
After the walk, we drove to the end of the road to what they call the braided rivers, there is a free camp but the road is narrow gravel and corrugated.
Lake Evelyn
Lake Selfe
Lake Selfe
Views along the walk
Lake Ida
Lake Ida
Alpines flourishing
Out & back moderate to easy hike
The end of the road looking over to Lake Coleridge from the other end
View coming back along the road
Last day and the weather turned freezing, so we rugged up to do the walks around the village.
Loop walk easy
Summary: If you want to visit the remote middle of the South Island and view how remote farmers live, with stunning views this is the place to visit, we are so pleased to experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
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