Te Araroa 30/12 - 1/1/26

Days 100 to 102, Hanmer Springs 

It rained all day on 30th and in the morning I ordered a Uber to get to Hanmer  but when it was supposed to arrive I got a message saying that they were sorry but they couldn't find a driver! I did get a $30 credit and the first car that came past when I put up my thumb stopped and took me all the way. Very good of them as it was a 14 km detour from their direct route to Canterbury, yet another example of Kiwi friendliness. 

Hostel reception 

A wet time in the town spent visiting various eating establishments and talking to the large numbers of TA walkers who seem to have gathered here.

Hanmer hot springs 

The town is a tourist destination famous for the hot springs and there were a lot of people about with accommodation very scarce, I was a day earlier than I expected but managed to get a bed in the same hostel that I had booked for the next two nights.

Hanmer 

The next day, New Year's Eve, was spent shopping for the next ten days. I sent three days worth on to Arthurs Pass to avoid carrying quite so much but it is still an impressive weight. 

I got my new shoes, the old ones don't look too bad in the picture 

Once that was all organized I went to the hot pools to sit in some nice suphorous water untill I was even more wrinkled. The pools were very busy but mainly around the slides and things, there was enough space in the adult areas.

Tourist transport 

I hadn't intended to stay up to see the New Year in but I met up with Pete and Dean, two TA walkers from New Zealand. It was Pete's birthday today and Deans birthday on the 2nd so we went for a meal together and ended up singing Auld Lang Syne with everyone else.

Seafood platter

I went back to the hot pools on New Year's Day for a quiet soak before spending the rest of the day relaxing at the hostel reading a book and eating.

Hanmer approach road

Pete, Dean, myself and Vinny (Italian TA walker) are getting a shuttle back to Boyle in the morning to continue the trail.

Te Araroa 29/12/25

 Day 99, Anne Hut to Boyle Outdoor Center (2111). 

It was a good morning but the grass was long and wet so the nice dry socks didn't stay that way for long. 

Morning mist and wet grass

Bridge over the Henry River 

It was a thirty kilometer day but the ascents were not very steep so the climb to Anne Saddle was relatively easy.

Following up the Henry River 

Today's high point 

More grassy flats by the Boyle River

The descent to the Boyle River was also fairly straightforward and then the path follows the river with various ups and downs to avoid the river gorges.

Boyle River 

Landslip by the river

A good path, in places

One last bridge over the river and it was only a short walk to the Boyle Outdoor Center where I got a bunk for the night and a nice hot shower.

The last bridge before Boyle

Final walk through the trees to Boyle

Te Araroa 28/12/25

Day 98, Waiau Hut to Anne Hut (2081)

A beautiful morning but mist filled the valley as the sun appeared over the hill. 

Wet grass and morning mist

It was quite cold until the mist burnt off with the mountains appearing all around.

Sun breaking through 

The walk today was down the Waiau valley for most of the day and then turn up by the Henry River for six kilometers to the Anne Hut.

Still crossing rivers

The river was still very high and running in some unexpected channels making for a difficult river crossings as well as some swollen side streams.

Stunted trees on the flats 

Following down the Waiau River

Looking back up the Waiau River 

Small butterfly on large daisy 

Waiau Flats 

Walking across the grassy flats was a wonderful change with abundant flowers and lots of little butterflies.

The River Aida crossing, I hope I don't have to do another one like this!

The valley was reminiscent of Scotland but bigger. The last tributary I had to cross, the Aida River, was nearly a disaster as the spot I picked was deeper and running faster than I expected but I survived, just.

Towards the Henry River

Bridge over the Henry River 

A good path up to the suspension bridge across the Henry River, another spectacular one, then only a short distance to the hut.

Looking up the Henry Valley 

Anne Hut in the distance 

Anne Hut

Te Araroa 27/12/25

Day 97, Blue Lake Hut to Waiau Hut (2055)

It rained on and off all night but by the morning it had all cleared and there were wonderful views of the mountains with lots of new snow.

Morning view from the hut

Blue Lake, definitely blue this morning 

The route climbed up through the forest past the Blue Lake and steeply up to Lake Constance. These lakes have the highest water clarity in New Zealand.

Mountains behind Lake Constance 

Flooded area above Lake Constance with TA walkers

The flat area at the end of Lake Constance was awash as the rivers had all overflowed and it was all about ankle deep.

Lake Constance from the scree approach to the Waiu Pass

The final stretch to the pass

A long, steep scree slope went up to the snow line and then continued through rocks and more scree under the fresh snow with fantastic views of the mountains and lake.

TA walkers on the final stretch 

Looking back from the pass

The pictures don't do it justice but they are better than my prose!

Looking down to the Travers Valley 

A steep descent 

The pass at 1080 meters was cold and windy as expected and gave me a great view down into the Waiau valley.

Looking back to the Waiu Pass

An extremely steep descent took me down below the snow line and as the temperature increased I found a nice spot on the hillside for lunch and to sit and admire the view.

Below the steep part

More river crossing

Down then by the River Waiau which I had to cross a couple of times as well as crossing the tributaries, all of which were well swollen with the heavy rain.

Scree down to the river

After crossing a number of scree slopes that descended to the river and negotiating some sections of the path that were underwater

Keep descending 

The path arrived at a flat area where the river divided necessitating more deep fast river crossings.

And more river crossing 

There were lots of camping spots on the flat area but I wanted to get a bit further to the Waiau Hut to make it an easier day tomorrow.

Boyle Flats with the hut in sight

I arrived at the hut, all the bunks were taken but there was still some space on the floor as I was ahead of the peloton. 

Waiau Hut 

They took pity on me and I was offered a bunk but then some of the others decided to go bit further so there was a reshuffle but there were still five tents outside and about twenty million sandflies.

Probably the best day so far.