KiWi Kool (Otago, Routeburn Track)

We couldn’t be happier about the weather here.  In a place that is known for rain, we have been SO LUCKY.  So far, four days of rain and NEVER on a day when we were out hiking, biking or camping.  When the sun is out, it is gloriously warm and makes the green greener.  We started the week biking on the Otago Rail Trail.  It was our first multi day mountain bike tour with “comfort” bikes and packed panniers.  The ride was a sensible trail with a bit of incline and gentle decline on gravel.  My issue was with the howling “blow me over ” side wind and the “hold me back” head winds on day three.   What should have taken a few hours ended up being a very long day….and the wind wasn’t the only one howling.  I may or may not have had a mini breakdown on this day.  That being said, we loved the ride, the landscapes, tunnels and bridges.  The night stops always included a charming step back in time to the gold rush days of the 1860’s AND a saloon, of course.  After the bike tour, we headed into Queenstown and had dinner at the home of new friends David and Deb.  It was pretty much a downpour all day and we spent our time in coffee shops planning the next month and securing flights and reservations. We vowed NEVER to waste a sunny day doing business.  After dinner, we headed out to The Kinloch Lodge to be close to the trailhead for The Routeburn Tramp.  On a cancellation, we secured a one night stay at the Routeburn Hut.  SCORE!!!!! This is meant to be one of the most scenic of the “Great Walks”.

 

Feb 10-16
Places:
F: Otago Rail Trail, Clyde and Ophir
SA: ORT, Wetterburn
Su: ORT, Middlemarch
M: Queenstown, Glenorchy, Kinloch
T: Routeburn Hut
W: Kinloch
Th: Queenstown

Accommodations:
F: Blacks Hotel
SA: Wetterburn Cottages
Su: Airbnb Hayes Lake Estates
M: Kinloch Lodge
T: Routeburn Flats Hut
W: Kinloch Lodge
Th:Friends in Queenstown/ restday/David and Debs

Activities:
F: Mountain Biking the Otago Rail Trail 46 km
SA: Bike the OTR (44 km)
Su: Bike the OTR (72 km)
M: Explore Queenstown(RAINY)
T: Hike to the Routeburn Hut for overnight
W: Day hike to Harris Saddle/Hike out of Routeburn Hut. Wakatipu Lake
Th:Queenstown/rest day

Reasons why I❤️❤️❤️New Zealand:

People:  Locals always making sure you are having a great time.  Generous, kind, mellow, friendly.

Food:  Best burgers, hands down.  Organic food always available.

Smoke and trash free environment…everywhere.

ORT. Just us and the sheep and the sun and the mountains and the flowers and the river. So wonderfully bucolic.
OTR. Many, many bridges.
ORT. Windswept plains. Golden horizons.
ORT. Night two in Wedderburn.
ORT. Good morning Wedderburn!
Early morning rising. Let’s get on the trail!
I survived another tunnel! We forgot our headlamps. The blind leading the blind.
Tea break on day one. Others had the same idea!
If I didn’t ride the middle, I was crashing into the side rails. Not particularly good on the mountain bike ?
Renting bikes and gear in Clyde. Ready to go!
ORT. Bridges of every color, type and length.
ORT. Tunnel vision. Black.
ORT. Light at the end……
ORT. Together, happy. No wind.
ORT. Golden landscapes.
ORT. Bridge stop.
Historic town of Ophir. Black’s saloon. It was hoppin’!
ORT. Peace in Ophir.
Small town life in Ophir. First night stay.
Getting work done at the hut….but there is no cell service or internet. I might be playing a game?☹️️
Wet start to the Routeburn. We don’t care!
Routeburn
Magical “lord of the rings” landscapes dominate on The Routeburn.
The path to heaven!
Kea bird. Wild parrot of NZ. Watch your pack, folks!
Routeburn Track.
Routeburn Track.
Routeburn Track.
Headed up and down to Harris Saddle.
The pic of the day: HARRIS LAKE.
Waterfalls everywhere; especially after rain.
Yep, Stairway to Heaven!
Will the Thrill! Looking KiWi ish
  • Kinloch Lodge in Glenorchy.
    This view, though.
    Peace.

    Love.

Author: bonnie.pierce@gmail.com

Retired School teacher.

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