17th February 2026 at 08:05 - Damian
Yesterday we drove from St Arnaud down to Okarito stopping at Punakaiki and Greymouth. We've got a chill out day here before heading over Haast Pass tomorrow to Albert Town.
17th February 2026 at 07:59 - Damian
On the second day at St Arnaud we walked around the lake counterclockwise from West Bay. Early start of 0700 as it's a 23km walk to the pub at Alpine Lodge. Windy on the lake but nicely cooling as we walked the circumference.
17th February 2026 at 07:54 - Damian
Our favourite bird, the South Island robin. It was jumping at my legs and socks catching sandflies while I was playing online chess on my phone outside. Could you ask for better than that?
17th February 2026 at 07:52 - Damian
After two nights at Momorangi we drove into Blenheim where we stocked up on 1kg(!!) salad leaves from Thymebank, did a bit of supermarket shopping and had delicious pies from Burleigh Pies.
Then a short drive up Wairau Valley to St Arnaud/Nelson Lakes where we pitched up at the West Lake Jetty DOC campsite for three nights.
We spent a lot of time chatting with the beautiful eels by the jetty.
The following day we hiked up Mt Robert in the morning mist and cloud and looped back down in bright sunshine with spectacular views.
17th February 2026 at 07:43 - Damian
We made it in good time to Wellington for our 1330 Bluebridge sailing. Enough time to spare to grab a pie from Salut in downtown (see previous pic).
A quick shop in Picton for groceries and then on to Momorangi DOC campsite for two nights.
We've settled into a routine of day on/day off for cooking lunches and dinners which is working well.
The last few days were a bit rushed with having to decamp each morning so hitting the South Island and slowing down much welcomed.
17th February 2026 at 07:36 - Damian
On the 10th we headed south to Ohakune where we'd stay overnight at the Mangawhero DOC campsite. A nice 30 minute evening walk down to the Powderkeg for dinner and back as it was getting dark.
17th February 2026 at 07:31 - Damian
From Arapaoa we returned to Auckland to do multiple loads of washing, restock the van with things we'd forgotten and prep for the longer leg southwards.
17th February 2026 at 07:26 - Damian
On the 8th we drove from Maitai Bay to the bach at Arapaoa crossing by ferry at Rawene. We stopped off at Tane Mahuta and had a swim at Kai Iwi Lakes.
16th February 2026 at 21:44 - Damian
I've been very slack with the updates. We're currently in Okarito on the West Coast. I'll backfill with more from previous days at some stage tomorrow.
9th February 2026 at 21:00 - Damian
After Urupukapuka we drove straight to Spirit's Bay. Beautiful and remote we only stayed one night before heading south again to Maitai Bay for a further two nights.
It's been nice swimming every day and getting plenty of sun. Our skin has layers of sand, sunscreen and salt water but feels crackingly heathy.
6th February 2026 at 11:05 - Damian
Urupukapuka Island is a short ferry ride from Paihia/Russell. There's a cafe near the jetty and the DOC campsite is a 20 minute walk over the hill. Absolutely beautiful and quiet at this time of year.
We were there for two nights.
3rd February 2026 at 07:26 - Damian
The plan yesterday was to take the ferry to Urupukapuka Island from Russell but the afternoon services weren't running so we pitched up at the campground and had lunch and dinner in town. Thoroughly recommend Hone's Garden for pizza and beer.
1st February 2026 at 08:03 - Damian
On Saturday morning (after a Tuff Crater parkrun) we headed north to Otamure Bay stopping briefly at Waipu Cove for a lunch of wraps and watermelon.
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