New Zealand-inaugural trip

There’ll be another New Zealand trip- but will you be able to get on it? Lots of those who did the 2009 trip want to do it again next year! It was a feast of challenging walks, interesting accommodation and unbelievable food! And our very own famous NZ folk singer added to the mix!

Martin Curtis, Rick’s brother, organised this trip and as a converted Kiwi for 30 years he knew what he was doing. He took us to places only the Kiwis find, found us historic pubs to stay in and arranged for us to eat the most amazing meals night after night. We started in Mt Cook National Park where the weather was definitely against us.  Within 200metres we had our first swing bridge. Well how blase did we become about swing bridges by the end of the trip?  That night we feasted on the iconic Hermitage smorgasbord; I challenge anyone not to find something in it to suit their tastebuds. The next day the Tasman Glacier showed us icebergs even Martin had not seen.

Undaunted by not having seen Mt Cook due to the weather, we made our way to Lake Ohau and were rewarded with an outdoor hot tub at the lodge.  Our first full day walk was into the Temple Valley and here we were initiated into a very Kiwi practice-that of crossing rivers. We did these barefoot;  it was much later before we would walk without hesitation, boots and all , through  the raging creeks.

Dunedin saw us staying at the historic Leviathan Hotel and enjoying  the lovely Otago Peninsula with its Royal Albatross. Martin thought we would be missing sand walking, so he took us on  a walk to Sandfly beach- providing us  with a dune equivalent to about 7 Cape to Capes! Then it  was yellow eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions as we made our way to Surat Bay. Great coastal walking and some wonderful forest walking with waterfalls.  A dinner at historic Trotter’s house was a highlight of the trip, where Bob cooked us up a 4 course meal in his lovely restored home.

Our walk up to Lake Alta and the Wye Saddle above Queenstown was another great day’s walking. Very challenging over lots of rocks and it was windy to boot. But fabulous views. Historic Arrowtown showed us the goldmining heritage of the area.

The Roaring Meg walk was a full day walk over the Pisa range. Good weather on this occasion meant some great views. And 2 falcons as well. More barefooot stream crossings and the end of the day saw us at the wonderful Cardrona pub.

And every evening Martin entertained us with his guitar and singing/poetry, stories of the birds and characters of New Zealand. It  was just a shame everyone was so tired from their daily exertions!

The tour climax was the wilderness trip for the last 3 days. We donned full packs and walked out into the Matukituki valley, in Mt Aspiring National Park. It took us several hours to walk out to a very special private hut, with  the most amazing view of Mt Aspiring. We had 2 nights there. Some people chose to spend the next day soaking up the atmosphere, while others indulged in the “flat walk up the valley”, climbing over tree roots, streams and swing bridges! The weather changed again on the last night, so the following day we walked out, through  streams of rain, mud and cow poo! We just walked on through the streams, boots and all. Some young climbers  following us were surprised at how long it took to catch us- “I hope I can do that when I’m your age” said one young man!

For more photos click here