Timaru to Picton
South Island 2023
Timaru
Old Seadown School (POP)We left the Lakes and headed toward Christchurch stopping at the Seadown POP for the 2nd time and staying 18 nights payment is by donation and gave $200 as apprection.
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| It is a short drive to a dump station |
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| We look like we are on our own but plenty are using this POP with some permanent |
Caroline BayNot far from the camp to Caroline Bay, we went here a lot for the dogs they love to socialise and Lexi would have a swim.
There is another beach close to camp but swimming is prohibited and it is pebbles and harder to walk.
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| Caroline Bay |
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Dogs are only allowed until the end of September because the penguins start to nest here
Christchurch Weedons NZMCA Park We stayed 10 days October is that time again for maintenance on the motorhome, this year the electrical and self-containment certificates are due on top of the service on the motor and water ingress on the home. |
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| There is also a dog run for off-leash time |
Kaiapoi
We stayed 10 days at the Kaiapoi NZMCA Park, a convenient camp with a dog park next door and a dump station and supermarket across the road.
It's not far from the beach and forest park.
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Heaps of walking and riding here
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| We didn't intend to do 11kms but we got lost haha |
Cheviot
Conway Flat Ocean Edge (POP)
We stayed 4 nights cliffside with views
Kaikoura NZMCA Park
Stayed 4 nights with bad winds that blew the roof off the shed in the park.
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| Kaikoura Beach |
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| We walk here from camp |
Ward
Free camping
This is not the ward beach pop, it is a free camp further south that is not on any apps we stayed 3 nights beside the beach and river.
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| Our only neighbour was an overnight trucker |
BlenheimWaterlea Racecourse is a very popular (POP)
I have decided I like Blenheim it would be a nice place to settle in our old age lol Taylor Riverside Park is a lovely place to walk with the dogs and Lexi loves to have a swim, it is an off-leash huge park so they have an wow of a time playing chase and met and greet other dogs.
Motueka
NZMCA Park
It is easy to spend 10 days here, there is walking and biking with places to visit. The estuary walk behind the camp is dog-off lead. We wanted to come back to say see ya to Lynda and Selwyn before heading back to the North Island.
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| I took this photo last time we were here in March we had just picked up Mini and Lexi they are 11 months old now in this photo |
Kina Beach
We took a drive to Kina Beach there is a camp here but for what it has to offer it is cheaper to stay at the NZMCA in Motukea.
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| Nice beach to walk at low tide |
Pelorus
We have spent a lot of time in the Doc camp up the road in the past, but they don't allow dogs so the Pelorus Tavern is a great place to stop if you have dogs. It is free to stay if you eat in or a gold coin donation if you don't, needless to say, we had 2 very good meals here and most of the staff are family and into motorbikes and are lovely. Frog brought their t-shirt to say we have been there and done that.
It is now time to head back for supplies at Blenheim before heading out to the coast and a Doc Camp.
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| Camping is out the back of the tavern |
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| Lots of resident chickens so watch out for poo and keep your dogs on a lead |
Rarangi
We got a Doc pass since we are heading to the North Island, there are some Doc camps we can stay at that allow dogs South of Auckland.
Rarangi Doc Camp here in the South Island allows dogs so we stayed 7 days. Whites Beach Doc Camp just over the hill has a no-dog policy, we went to Whites Beach last year and did the walks that nearly killed me so happy not to be doing that again
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| There is a golf course and kid's playground up the road |
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| Rarangi Beach had moody weather when we arrived |
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| Soft pebble beach best walked at low tide |
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| I was surprised there are heaps of houses out here |
Monkey Bay
Beside camp is a lookout and walk over to the caves.
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| It looked nice for a swim except for the smelly seaweed |
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| Lookout view |
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| Rangari Beach is not good for swimming when we were there, it had thumping waves with an undertow current. |
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| Second cave Lexi is not interested in caving |
Wairau Diversion Reserve
It's a short drive to the Wairau Diversion River mouth, there is freedom camping here.
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| There is a lavender farm just above the trees in the photo it has fresh flowers for the season and looks stunning |
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| Wairau Diversion River mouth |
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| Lexi went for a swim in the river and Mini got her feet wet |
Picton Round Trip
Approx 80 km round trip going up the bays to Picton and coming back via the main highway.
It rained last night making for a muddy, skinny, hilly road, and the dogs got car-sick. Motorhomes and large vehicles are not recommended.
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| Robin Hood Bay |
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| Port Underwood |
Picton
Moving on from Rangari we went back to Blenheim and stayed at the racecourse, we needed to stock up etc for our trip over to the North Island on the 29th of November as we get off the ferry in rush hour traffic and head straight to a Doc Camp.
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| Photo from the Bluebridge dining room looking over the front of the boat heading out into the straight. |
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| We had a Dog-friendly cabin Lexi trembled until we got into the cabin so it was well worth it. |
