Tag Archives: New Zealand

Diamond Lake – Rocky Mountain – Queenstown Lakes District

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Monday 2/03/2026   Diamond Lake Car Park – Wānaka–Mt Aspiring Road – Diamond Lake Loop Track – Lower Circuit Track – Lake Wānaka Lookout Track – Rocky Mountain Track – Diamond Lake Bird View – Lake Wānaka Lookout – Diamond Lake – Schist bluffs – Rocky Mountain (775 m) – Kā Tiritiri o te Moana / Southern Alps – Mount Aspiring / Tititea (3,033 m) – Lake Wānaka – Mou Waho – Mou Tapu – Te Peka Karara – Ruby Island – Glendhu Bay – The Peninsula – Diamond Lake Car Park

                                        Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Track

                                        Diamond Lake Conservation Area, Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                        Kāi Tahu ki Otago Country (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We decided to do a slightly easier walk today after a big climb on the previous days. It was a 20-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead, and there was plenty of parking.

The trail climbed up from the carpark, and we were soon passing Diamond Lake, of which we had excellent views a little further along the trail. Looking from above, the dark waters of the lake were very picturesque.

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Rob Roy Glacier Track – Mount Aspiring

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Wednesday 4/03/2026   Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road – Matukituki River West Branch – Raspberry Creek Carpark – Rob Roy Stream – Rob Roy Glacier Track – Bridal Veil Falls – Rob Roy Glacier 

                                            Fiordland National Park / Te Wāhipounamu

                                            South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, Southland, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                            Tahu Country (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu people)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

It is about a one-hour drive from Wanaka to the Raspberry car park. There is about 30km of gravel, as well as a few shallow (at this time of year) fords. We arrived at about 10:00am at the already busy car park.

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Isthmus Peak – Queenstown Lakes District

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Tuesday 3/03/2026   Isthmus Peak Track Carpark – Stewart Creek – Glen Dene Station – Dinner Creek – Dinner Flat – Ridge Junction – Glen Dene Ridge Track junction – Isthmus Peak (1,385 m)

                                       Isthmus Peak Track

                                       Matatiaho Conservation Area, Glen Dene Station (private land)

                                       Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                       Kāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) Country (Kāi Tahu people / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu)

                              

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

It was a 30-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead of Isthmus Peak. The recommendation was to arrive early as the carpark is not large. That was an understatement, but if people had parked appropriately, many more cars would fit there. We were lucky to get the last spot.

It was almost 9:30am by the time we set off in the cool, clear morning, which promised to turn into a stunning day. It certainly didn’t disappoint us!

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Ben Lomond Track – Queenstown

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Friday 27/02/2026   Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m) – Skyline Access Road – Luge Track crossing – Ben Lomond Track – Douglas fir forest zone – Alpine tussock zone (treeline ~800m) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Moonlight Track junction – Ben Lomond Station (private land) – Ben Lomond / Te Taumata-o-Hākitekura Summit (1,748m) with rock cairn (built 1960s by Henry Barker) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Ben Lomond Track – Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m)

                                     Ben Lomond Track

                                     Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve

                                     Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, South Island, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                     Te Waipounamu – Ngāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu) rohe (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu people, incorporating Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We arrived in Queentown late the previous night. With a two-hour time difference and the associated tiredness, we were off to a slow start.

We headed off to find some breakfast and then drove to buy some food for lunch. By the time we walked to the gondola station and reached the top, it was after midday.

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White Island – NEW ZEALAND

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Wednesday 4/03/2015      Whakaari – “White Island”

                                                Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

White Island (Whakaari) is an active marine (cone) volcano situated in the Bay of Plenty. To the Maori Whakaari is a treasured ancestor and features in many stories and legends of the region. It is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 years old and is 49km offshore. The closest town is Whakatane, on the North Island of New Zealand. At the time of our trip it was possible to visit the island by helicopter or by boat and guided tour with White Island tours. 

Tragically, on 9th December 2019 White Island erupted while tours were being conducted resulting in numerous deaths and horrific injuries. All tours were immediately suspended. 

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Roy Peak summit

Roys Peak

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Friday 5/02/2016   Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road – Roys Peak summit return

                                  Wanaka, NEW ZEALAND           

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

As we were due to head out on a multi day walk (rated as “hard”) the next day we wanted a day walk that would stretch our legs without wearing them out. We had underestimated Roy’s Peak.

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The Outlet – Brod Bay

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Tuesday 2/02/2016   The Outlet – Brod Bay return

                                      Te Anau district, NEW ZEALAND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

As a warm up for the multi-day hikes to come we decided to revisit part of the Kepler track for the afternoon to walk from The Outlet to Brod Bay and back.

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Sharplin Falls – Mount Somers

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Wednesday 24/02/2016   Sharplin Falls Reserve – Mount Somers summit return

                                               Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

As the weather was favourable we decided to try the summit again. We had done this walk two years ago in thick fog and saw no views at all.

We started the track just after 8:30am with a strong feeling of deja vu as we had walked out from the circuit on this track only two days earlier. Continue reading →

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Sharplin Falls – Pinnacles Hut – Woolshed Creek – Mt Somers South Face

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19/02/2016 – 22/02/2016   Mount Summers circuit – Sharplin Falls

                                                Canterbury District, NEW ZEALAND

Distance: 31.5km   Total Ascent: 2340m   Total Descent: 2340m   Time: 18 hours

(excluding side trips)

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

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Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake – Lake Ohau

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Thursday 16/02/2016   Freehold Creek – Dumbbell Lake

                                           Ohau Conservation Reserve, NEW ZEALAND

Distance:  18.7km   Ascent: 1200m   Descent: 1200m   Walking Time: 6 hours 25 minutes

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

We had a slow start from Lake Ohau lodge as Steve needed to let his large breakfast settle. We headed off from the Sawyers creek carpark by 11:00am.

We wandered through the dry grass for what seemed like a long time until we found the Alps to Ocean bike track and then the Freehold creek track. The pleasant trail then followed the creek climbing gradually for three kilometres until we reached the tree line. We passed several scree slopes and the view improved. There was a well positioned water pipe and cup for thirsty trampers. Continue reading →

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Photo: Sue Davies

Matukituki Valley – Rob Roy Glacier – Aspiring Hut – French Ridge Hut

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11/02/2016 – 14/02/2016   Raspberry Creek – French Ridge hut return

                                                Mount Aspiring National Park, Otago region, NEW ZEALAND

 

Distance: 50km   Total Ascent: 2610m   Total Descent: 2610m   Time: 19 hours

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

 

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Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake

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6/02/2016 – 10/02/2016   Young River – Gillespie Pass – Wilkin River – Siberia Hut – Crucible Lake

                                               Young – Wilkin Circuit, NEW ZEALAND

Distance: 61.4km   Total Ascent: 2660m   Total Descent: 2300m   Time: 26 hours

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

 

Day 1: Saturday 6/02/2016   Young River – Young Hut

Early on Saturday morning we headed off for our planned trip to visit Aspiring, French Ridge and Liverpool huts in the Matukituki River West Branch Valley. However, before we were to of town we recalled DOC’s advice that this area would be exceptionally busy over the Waitangi long weekend and with this in mind altered course and drove off towards Makarora to do the Gillespie Pass (Young-Wilkin) Circuit instead.

We were a little surprised on arrival to find the car park near the Young River close to full and a party of thirteen trampers heading off just before us. Continue reading →

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