Te Araroa 18/02/26

Day 150, Bluff to Stirling Point (3058, THE END)

  It was still a grey morning but at least there was no rain and visibility much better than yesterday.

Timber and wood chips at Bluff

I had to walk out of Bluff back to where the trail turns off the road to go round the West Coast before climbing over the hill and dropping down to Sterling Point.

West coast of Bluff hill

It got brighter and warmer as the morning progressed but the sun didn't appear. There was no wind and only small waves breaking on the shore.

Calm Tasman sea

The climb up and over the of the hill is on a good gravel path through the bush with steps in places, rather different to the Longwoods!

Steps up the hill

The hill was used for coastal defences during the last war and there are some remains left.

Old gun emplacement 

I soon arrived at Stirling Point at the end of the trail and also the end of state highway one. Lots of people and campers, very different to Cape Reinga at the start. 

At the end

There was a French cyclist at the sign who had also done the whole route and we took each other's photos as all the Aisians were too busy taking selfies.

The sign

The sandflies were having a nice time so I nipped into the overpriced cafe to escape. I did have a nip from a rather nice miniature of New Zealand Whisky, that I bought yesterday, to celebrate before going in.

Celebrating with El Tejido 

I met Pete and Dean in Bluff later in the day and we all celebrated in the evening. Charlie, Megan and Eve also finished today but somehow I missed them, very annoying.

Te Araroa 17/02/26

Day 149, Invercargill to Bluff (3050)

It was a miserable day, drizzle, poor visibility and cold. The walk was on a cycle track that follows the salt flats along the shore and then beside the road all the way to Bluff.

Salt marsh and mist

The walk through the salt flats would have been more interesting if there was any visibility but all there was to see was the sewage farm and the distant outline of a milk factory.

Black swans 

Milk factory 

Thank goodness the cycle track was separate from the road as there was a surprisingly large amount of traffic, mainly timber trucks and containers for the port at Bluff.

Heavy trucks on the highway 

Welcome to Bluff 

I considered going on to the finish at Stirling Point but thought that it would be much better delayed until tomorrow when the weather is supposed to be much better and I can enjoy it better.

Bluff wall art

Bluff itself is rather run down since the demise of the fishing industry and the subsequent closure of the processing plant, rather reminiscent of some of the Scottish fishing ports.

Bluff art

There has been an effort to try and improve the town and there are some beautiful old buildings including the hostel where I'm staying.

Bluff Lodge backpackers hostel 

I had booked a room for two nights but as soon as I saw it, and the weather forecast, I booked it for two more. A perfect place to celebrate the completion of the walk tomorrow.

 Te Araroa 15/02/26

Day 148, Invercargill.

A rest day in Invercargill today spent wandering around the town. I went to the outdoor shop and found they had a sale on Topo shoes which seem to be similar to the Altras that I have been wearing. I decided that I would buy a pair and consign my old split ones to the bin, hope I don't regret it!

Rather a big split 

I then used most of the day to visit a huge motorcycle museum with a fascinating display of old bikes and some cars.

Just one section of the museum 

Some nice sidecars as well

An old JAP Morgan

Visitors bikes outside 

Racing cars built in New Zealand also featured.

Begg Daimler V8 (2.5 litre)

After lunching in the cafe there I went to Haynes hardware store which is not only the best hardware store I've been in for a while but also has a collection of motorcycles as well.

Including Bert Munro,s 'worlds fastest Indian '

It had a streamlined casing for the record runs.

A quick visit to an art gallery with a couple of interesting works.

Interesting 

Made from gorse wood

Made from a solid piece of rock 

I also had a look in what was advertised as the world's largest gun shop before it was time to head back to the campsite where I met Pete, Dean and Paddy. Sometime was spent reminiscing over a meal in the campsite kitchen.

Racks of rifles

Te Araroa 15/02/26

Day 147, Riverton to Invercargill (3024)

An early start today after a noisy Saturday night at the campsite. It was much more peaceful in the hut last night.

An early start 

The plan was to be away by 06.00 as according to the trail notes there was a river to cross fourteen kilometers ahead that should be done as close to low tide as possible, low tide was at 06.00.

Hayden and JJ on the beach

Packing a soggy tent in the dark wasn't pleasant but three of us; JJ, Hayden and myself got down to the beach in the dark and started walking towards the sunrise.

Sun thinking about appearing 

It was good walking on hard sand and we set a good pace to avoid any problems with the crossing which, we had been told by a couple heading north the day before, was thigh deep.

Nearing the end of the beach 

We got to the river in good time, we averaged over 5 km per hour all the way down the beach. Totally unnecessary, the river was ankle deep and narrow. I'm sure it could have been crossed close to high tide.

Me, Hayden and JJ waiting for the restaurant to open 

We turned off the beach for a short walk to the Cabbage Tree Restaurant and had to wait an hour for it to open. Useful time spent in their garden drying tents and gossiping.

Decoration at the end of the sea defences

Lunch when they opened and then I set off on my own for the six kilometer walk to Invercargill where I had booked a couple of nights in a cabin in the holiday park.

Black Swans

Showered sorted out and walked into the town for dinner in another Irish Bar with a music session.

Building art in Invercargill 

Invercargill 

Invercargill 

Music session at the Irish bar

More exploring tomorrow.

Te Araroa 14/02/26

Day 146, Turnbulls Hut to Riverton (2991)

It was a dark, grey morning when I left the hut after a comfortable night. No mice, rats or possums to disturb me. The hut was a bit ancient and had a very uneven earth floor but there was a new long drop toilet outside, just had to negotiate the mud to get there!

Inside the hut

Unfortunately it started to rain soon after I started but it wasn't heavy. No trips or slips today despite the continuing poor condition of the trail.

New long drop

The beechwoods, bush, are really very beautiful when you stop watching your feet all the time. Interestingly there were quite a few tree ferns here, something I haven't seen much of since the North Island.

Mossy woods 

Eventually I reached a decent path that led to a car park and the road to Colac Bay.

Plants growing on a fallen tree

Unfortunately the hotel and campsite was closed for renovations so no lunch there. Down to the beach then for the walk to Riverton.

Fern trees

There is a bit of road for a while before I had to walk on the loose gravel beach which was hard going but then there were some nice bits where the path took to the grass to get round some rocky headlands.

Long damp road to Colac Bay

Colac Bay 

A climb over Mores Scenic Reserve on a well made track followed by a short road descent and I was at the campsite.

Up towards Mores Reserve 

Above the beach

Road down to Riverton 

A good soaking in the shower eventually got the mud off and I was off to the town for some shopping and a prawn curry with cheese and garlic bread at a café.

Riverton across the river

Old mining Locomotive at Riverton

Back to the campsite and bed ready for an early start tomorrow.