harveyjones

This is real lord of the rings territory. Five of six fords to get there which are generally OK, the last one being the longest but all are compacted “under wheel”. Magic place and brilliant scenery on the trip in past Paradise. Try and pick a sunny morning and the clarity of the views will blow you away. The video shows the track that starts at the DOC camp at Chinaman’s bluff and follows the Dart River. Well worth a look.

The Road to the Tukino ski-field off the desert Road. Very unusual landscapes and stunning views of Mts Ruapehu and Ngaurohoe. There is a minimalist DOC camp halfway up this road with absolutly no facilities, but wonderful place to stay a night.

Snuck down amongst the sand on the northern end of Westport. Managed to get stuck for 20 minutes but judicious digging and application of dead gorse and sticks gave me enough traction to escape.

Oteake Conservation Park near St Bathans in Central Otago. Both are spots worth visiting

A short walk from my house in Kerikeri.

Trip up the lefthand side of  Lake Ohau to the Hopkins and Dodson Valleys. On the way back went into the Temple Valley DOC camp. Lots of dusty road but incredible peaceful and away from it all.

No it is not photoshopped.

The exciting bit of a trip along Borland Road and down into Grebe Valley and South Arm of Lake Manapouri. There is quite a large drop off down into the Grebe Valley that makes one concentrate like never before.

It is an access road to maintain the high voltage power line that services the aluminium smelter at Bluff. It ends at the South Arm of Lake Manapouri where there is a “Doc” camp, one of the most basic types. Lots of sandflies, ie you either need nuclear grade insect repellent or be completely covered.

Bear with me for a while, last site was attacked and taken down. Seemed easer to create a new site so I am in the process of doing just that.