Queenstown

It has been very nice to rest up in Queenstown. Pottering around tidying the house, eat, drink, and finally to ride the bikes again.

Hump Ridge Day 3

Day 3 is flat they say (not!). The more honest call it undulating. You can walk at a slightly higher average speed so you finish by about 2.30pm. Some more nice forests and beach walking. Reaching the finish line is a huge sense of achievement and relief!

Hump Ridge Day 2

How about we start day 2 in the snow! Early summer NZ! 3 hours along an sometimes exposed ridge in snow, hail and rain. Then a long trek down hill sometimes on boardwalks but very often in deep muddy bogs. They say 'the rest is flat to the hut' but it's not simple or smooth walking along an old forest rail line. The variety is really good but you are still working hard on day 2.

Less photos because the weather wasn't conducive to getting the camera out.

Hump Ridge Day 1

Well, we are at the top, and that was a mission! Frankly is call it a good tramp, but not a great walk as we know them. Nonetheless, challenge accepted, and achieved. Downhill tomorrow.

Tuatapere Bound

Funny weather; sunny, pouring rain, sunny.... Cloudy again. We made many stops to check scenery because we only had 45km to travel. We can't change the Hump Ridge track days so we are off tomorrow regardless.

Monkey island 

Gemstone beach was a highlight for Marie

Tuatapere is another cool little town and worth a visit.

Riverton II

Is worth a look and had one great cafe, a good museum and a couple of good quality shops. You'd love it if you were into whitebaiting!

Riverton

After another stay in Invercargill to visit Fat bastard pies (excellent) and a laundry run, we moved on to Riverton. It's a small town but it's worth a visit. 

Rivertons Taramea Bay

Port William walk

Today we caught the water taxi out to Port William and walked Day 3 of Rakiura Track to town (about 10km).

E-bike all Roads in 3 hours!

Ulva Island

Is a must visit, for more birds and less people.

Saddle Back

Human

Human and Weka

Sea Lion sun bathing spot 

Stewart Island

We are here for three days of blue cod, bird life and walking. It shouldn't be any trouble exceeding 6,000 steps per day.

Flinstones Express

Halfmoon Bay

South Sea Hotel.

To Bluff

Marie was keen to try and find her Uncles old house in Bluff. Whilst we were unsuccessful we enjoyed a good look around.

The end of SH1

Maui's anchor

Bluff Hill track