Bugger! Today is our last walking day. How did that happen?
Maybe I should write to the New Zealand (NZ) Department of Conservation and suggest they extend this track by a couple of days?
Maybe I should start dreaming and scheming about a return trip to NZ to knock over a couple of their other Great Walks?
Or maybe I should just chill and focus on being present in the moment?
It’s very early, the sun hasn’t risen yet and the track is calling my name.
Let’s go…
Day: 4 & Final
Date: Friday, 21 February 2025.
From: Moturau Hut (185m) To: Te Anau, then Queenstown
Distance (Official): 19km Actual: 19.4km
Progress: 68.8km
Time: 4h4m
Ascent: 270m Descent: 239m
Weather: Clear and warm.
Terrain: Mostly flat-ish with a couple of sneaky climbs. Momentarily hard on very tired legs.
Stayed At: Loft Apartments, Queenstown
General Comments:
- Yesterday’s rain continued most of the afternoon and well into the night. It was lovely to lie in bed and listen to the rain fall, wishing and hoping that it will rain itself out overnight. This strategy didn’t work for me on my first night on the trail, but YAY! Second time lucky!
- It was just getting light as we (another bushwalking club member) set off and it was an absolute joy to be walking through the early morning forest, especially as it had been rinsed clean overnight.
- The beech forest was quiet to start and as the sun began to rise, the birds broke into song. It was so pretty to listen to them welcoming the day and gorgeous to see the soft morning light filtering through the trees.
- After some initial chat we were happy to walk quietly and just absorb the natural glory of the day. The path was mostly very wide and clear because this section is very popular with day walkers. The increased foot traffic means that the Department of Conservation keeps it extra nice.
- I loved listening to our footfalls on the forest floor. It had a really ‘drummy’ sound as if we were walking over something hollow. I guess that was just layers and layers, and hundreds of years of fallen leaf matter.
- We kept expecting to meet people walking towards us, but that didn’t happen until about three kilometres from the end of the track. Maybe day walkers don’t get out of bed as early as multi-day walkers? 😊Or maybe they are just more sensible?
- There were a couple of opportunities to divert from the track this morning to visit various look outs etc. We enjoyed the short diversion to the wetlands as it gave us views back toward Mt Luxmore (on day 2). We certainly got a better view today than we did on Wednesday!
- On the whole, the path was generally pretty level and I knew we were making good time. Every now and then we would have to climb up and down a short ridgeline, and that would really slow the pace for a bit. While I am sad this track is nearly finished, I am not sad to be leaving the ascents behind.
- The path led us in a wide arc, mostly following the edge of the river which connects Lake Manapouri to Lake Te Anau. Again, it was incredibly scenic and delivered stunning glimpses of tumbling rapids or peaceful pools, through the endless beech trees.
Highlights & Tips:
- There was an extra pep in our step as we covered the last 500m to arrive back at the sign which indicated our original starting point. There is something special about closing the loop and we both felt a real sense of achievement.
- After a quick break at the trailhead carpark we pushed on for the final 3.5km back to Te Anau. The memory is a funny ol’ thing as I didn’t remember this section being so long and hilly when we set out on Tuesday. 😊
- The plan was to head to the bus company office, dump our bags and then go searching for some real food. As we approached the office we saw a bus parked out the front AND it had a ‘Queenstown’ sign in its front window. We were booked on this afternoon’s 5pm departure and here it was only 1120am!
- We pounced on the poor unsuspecting bus driver and he quickly directed us into the office where the lovely lady happily transferred our booking from 5pm to 1130am!
- It was our lucky day! How disappointed would we have been to arrive 10minutes later only to see the back of the bus disappearing down the road?
- We chatted merrily all the way back to Queenstown and almost floated back down the street to our accommodation. Our backpacks were significantly lighter with no food or water AND we were high on endorphins delivered courtesy of this absolutely spectacular trail.
And so, that ends my first foray on New Zealand hiking or tramping trails. I couldn’t have asked for better views, weather or company, and it has whetted my appetite for more in the future.
Thanks for joining me on these rambles, but now I must leave you. It’s time for a much-needed shower! 😊
Happy tramping, everyone!
#travelinspo # hikingadventures #multidayhikes #adventurebeforedementia #longdistancewalks #NewZealand #homestraight #KeplerTrack #epicadventures #greatoutdoors #crosscountry #exploreonfoot #walkingadventures #hikingadventures #birdlife #tramping #hikinginNewZealand #independenthikes #TeAnau #Queenstown
Life...one big adventure 
It looks absolutely gorgeous – fabulous pictures Mel. It’s definitely time I got myself over to the South island to take a look!
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Yep, another destination to add to your long list. x
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I think you should absolutely start planning another trip to New Zealand, and I think you should pack me in your suitcase!
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Too easy! Let’s go! 🙂
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The trail today looks so peaceful. What a great way to end an awesome time in NZ. Maggie
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Yep, it was a cracker. Possibly a bit tame for you guys, but a wonderful way to explore another country…as you well know from your own Spanish and Portuguese adventures. Enjoy your day. Melx
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It doesn’t always have to be an adreline adventure 😊
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🙂
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It looks wonderful, Mel, and I can feel your happiness from here xx
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🙂 – Yep, high on endorphins from Nature! The best way to be… x
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Thanks for taking me along Mel. My legs aren’t in the least bit tired 🤗
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Oh, you are in peak physical fitness! You put me to shame! 🙂
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Brilliantly written, Mel. I’m really pleased to read that you enjoyed another Aotearoa tramping experience. They’re certainly magical, aren’t they😊
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100% amazing. You are a lucky duck to live in such a gorgeous country.
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I think I’m a lucky duck in many ways and living here is one of them plus being close to another amazing diverse country 😉
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We are one very happy Mutual Admiration Society! 🙂
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🤣🙌
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What a fabulous hike! I am so jealous (but in a good way), I doubt you’ll be able to resist another one of NZ’s great hikes.
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Agreed. I am sure there will be more on the agenda at some stage…especially now that we have cancelled our BIG adventure in the US.
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So sorry you felt the need to cancel your big USA adventure. But I totally understand. It’s just beyond crazy 🤪 here.
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and believe it or not, our Government has issued a travel warning for the US related to travellers social media profiles etc, intimating any negative comments on social media may mean you are banned from entering the US. Who would have thought it would come to this between our country’s longstanding friendship?
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Yes, who would have thought. 😪
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😦
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Heck, that is school playground level. Though doesn’t surprise me too much.
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Yup, nothing surprises me anymore. 😦
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That forest looks pretty spectacular! Enjoyed your NZ journeys Mel and I can see you heading back there, Australia is a lot closer to NZ than the U.K!
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Yes, we are a lot closer to our Kiwi neighbour, but a long way from everywhere else. Maybe that is a good thing sometimes. 🙂
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You made my feet so itchy LOL If only NZ were much closer to Canada😍
Exceptional views Mel, I really enjoyed your posts! xx
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Many thanks for your kind words and I am so pleased I have shared my itchy feet with you. 🙂 have a great day. x
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Yay! Another one in the books. We tried to get an earlier flight back from Mexico a few weeks ago, but nothin’ doin’. Glad you were able to pull it off! Hope the shower was refreshing and the food delectable.
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Yes, all of the above and I am sorry the Travel Gods weren’t smiling on you recently. I keep telling myself…”First World Problem” and just enjoy the experience. x
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Very much so, and it’s always such a long shot switching to an earlier flight at the last moment. I’ve only tried it a few times and it’s always been a no.
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One day your luck will change and you will jag it!
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Congratulations! Another amazing accomplishment! There is no more beautiful place to hike than the South Island of New Zealand. Thanks for sharing.
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That’s my pleasure. I look forward to some more Kiwi wanders in the future. Have a good day.
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Wonderful! And congratulations on another amazing achievement 🙂
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It was a blast! 🙂
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That suspension bridge looks like a badge of courage! How about that colorful fungus? 💯
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The trail has a bit of everything. I can’t wait to go back…
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Ah well there are plenty more where they came from!
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That is for sure! All is need to do is score the perfect weather again. 🙂
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for that
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Ta
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