Te Araroa 05/02/26

Day 137, Careys Hut to Kiwi Burn Hut (2803)

I had a slightly disturbed night due to some industrial strength snoring but managed to sleep through it ok. It was bit cloudier today, no wind in the morning but it picked up in the afternoon. I started early to avoid the heat which wasn't really necessary.

Morning light

The route follows the Mavora Lakes, north and south, and continues by the Mararoa River which runs through the lakes. Not sure why the names are different.

Looking back over North Mavora Lake

It was an easy walk on a Landrover track to the huge camping area between the lakes, almost empty this morning.

The Mararoa River

South Mavora Lake

The path changes sides between the lakes on another suspension bridge and takes to the beech woods.

Bridge over the Mavora River 

Grassy flats 

The path was relatively flat so despite the normal roots, mud and fallen trees wasn't too hard to walk.

My new hat 🤠 

Path obstacles again

There were some good views over the water when the trees allowed and all too soon I had arrived at the turn off to Kiwi Burn Hut.

There is the last big river crossing of the TA here at the Mararoa and I had thought of doing it today and camping on the river bank the other side as it is a one kilometre walk to the hut which has to be reversed in the morning.

Kiwi Burn Hut

The space for tents by the river was tiny and there was one other there already, so between that and the sandflies that were moving in for the kill I decided to put up with the extra distance in the morning (and wet feet) and walked up to the hut.

All to myself 

A very nice hut with twelve beds in two bedrooms with a kitchen area between. There is a veranda to sit outside facing the sun as well but there are too many insects for that. No-one else turned up and I had the hut to myself, very nice.