Cape Pillar Overnighter

Went on a fantastic overnighter with Jono down to Cape Pillar, in the Tasman NP. Super good weather,a fantastic sunrise and some impressive (although tumultuous) views from the top of the highest sea cliffs in Australia

First glimpse of Tasman Island. Complete with lighthouse and old buildings.

Jono perched precariously over the edge.

Morning sun on Tasman Island

The trident. Poseidon was pottering around somewhere nearby.

Looking back down the peninsula. Mt Fortesque and Cape Hauy just visible.

Novelty shot.

End of the Tasmania

Jono found an interesting tree on the walk back.

Labyrinth Recon Mission

For my first tramp back in Tasmania, Liam, Dorus and myself decided to head into Lake St. Claire National Park to explore the Labyrinth which is accessible from Pine Valley (a branch off the Overland Track). Great weather, everything from sun to snow, and a great opportunity to have a look at this area. Something worthwhile going back to do for a full week or so.

We set-up a basecamp in Pine Valley, a half kilometer or so from the hut there. We managed to get in a few day trips and explore the wonderful vistas of the surrounding Du Cane Range.

Glamour shot before the first daywalk up to the Acropolis.

 Heading up the the top of the Acropolis

A flurry of snow enveloped the Labyrinth as we were leaving.

Excited about being at the top.

Shot heading up the Acropolis.

Mt Geryon and the Acropolis from the Labyrinth.

 Shots from the Labyrinth...

 Heading home...towards Mt Olympus

Last lunch at Echo Hut on the long walk back down Lake St Claire

Stewart Island - NorthWest Circuit

Had a good time on the NorthWest Circuit on Stewart Island (south of the South Island of NZ). A beautiful, rugged place similar to the South Coast Track in Tas, with bountiful wildlife and beach scenes.

I was considering connecting it to the Southern Circuit although torrential rainfall at Mason Bay hut, a chance meeting with an American couple who spent the night under an emergency shelter and having shared my food with some other starving trampers lead me to change my mind and walk out a few days earlier. No biggie. One great walk to finish of my journeys here in New Zealand.

 Starting the journey at Lee Bay

Bungaree Hut views

When the wind picked up, the burning of sand of my legs made this scene less pleasant

White tailed deer munching on grass that evening at dusk

Stew and huts

Lonely footprints

East Ruggedy Hut

Great rock scrambling

Just after being douched by some enourmous waves

Local friends

Root bridge

 Great panoramas down into the many bays that envelop the west coast of the island

Rocky turmoil at the start of Mason Bay

Loads and loads of these juvenile bluebottles had washed up

After getting caught out by the rapidly rising tide

Interesting sand formations

Whale jaw (humpback) two months old

Matupatu Track - Matakitaki Conv. Area

A great 3-day walk from Wanaka to Queenstown (Lake Wanaka to Wakitipu). Very hot, little water but some splendid views on this nice route through spectacular valleys. 34 km.

Looking up the valley from Fern Burn Hut

Rugged hills abound

Dodgy finger shot from Highland Creek Hut

Heading down the steep ridge to Highland Creek Hut

Some steep slopes were necessary to avoid major rapids in the sharp bends of the Arrow River

Heading out along the Arrow River. 40 or so river crossings, pretty icy, but made the end of the journey extra fun.

View back over the valley

Pretty stoked to have finished the journey in Macetown. 15km or so from here to Arrowtown where we hitchhiked to Queenstown