Day 63 (1,524 to 1,539 kms) Very nice day with a combination of forest and native bush. The trail notes said the 15 kms would take 6 to 7 hours, but since we have had recent dry weather the trail…

Day 62 (1,494 to 1,524 kms) Into the hills I go. The trail notes provide two suggestions for how approach the next 140 kms through the Tararua Ranges. There are no convenient shops along the way. First, walk for three…

Day 61 (1,470 to 1,494 kms) The Wanganui to Palmerston North stretch is coming to an end. Probably the most road walking in all of Te Araroa. The road is fast and I got to the holiday park Palmerston North…

Day 60 (1,449 to 1,470 kms) Last night I made plans to stay with the family of a sister of my cousins wife. Which turned out to be a very good idea. It also meant that today was a shorter…

Day 59 (1,416 to 1,1449 kms) The plan was to get away early, to catch the low tide and the fresh morning, which I did. I had the long lonely wind swept back sand beach all to myself for the…

Day 57 (1,377 to 1,384 kms) The weather of the next week is forecast to be great, so time to head back to Te Araroa. Hopefully the wether holds until after the Tararua’s. I had some unfinished business between where…

Day 56 (43 kms) Today would be our earliest start on the river, with plans for a 7:30am start. We still had time for breakfast and a coffee. The reason for the early start is the tide time. We have…

Day 55 (39 kms) Today was the shortest day on the river, with just under 40 kms of paddling and no sight-seeing along the way. We purchased a cooked breakfast from the cafe at the camping grounds, which is a…

Day 54 (43 kms) Today was a little shorter at 43 kms paddling, but we also wanted to visit the Bridge to Nowhere, so time had to allotted for that side-trip. Since we were away before 9am, we thought we…

Day 53 (47 kms) The day had finally arrived, it is time to start the Whanganui River Journey. The weather forecast was amazing. So glad I delay this part of the walk until the weather was better, and just as…

Day 51 and 52 (0 kms) I had got to Whakahoro and the launching off point for th Whanganui River Journey. However, as the river was officially closed and canoe companies would not rent us any equipment, I had a…

Day 49 and 50 (1,172 to 1,225 kms) Some mornings you can get dressed, get up and head to the local cafe and get a coffee. Today is such a day. I enjoyed my coffee and strawberry and banana muffin…

Day 48 (1,143 to 1,172 kms) National Park Village is a ski town. It is pretty quiet during the summer. But I was looking forward to staying here and seeing what this little village has to offer. Not much I…

Day 45 and 46 (1,078 to 1,118 kms) Back on the trail after a 10 week break. Just a busy time with Christmas an all. But excited to be back. Much later in the season so will be interesting to…