THE SOUTH ISLAND...

After the Whanganui River I drove to Wellington for the ferry across the Cook Straight to Picton. Next on the list was the Queen Charlotte Track. You take a mailboat to water acess only Ship Cove where famous English explorer Captain James Cook anchored five times in the late 1770's. The walk starts here and for 44 miles follows the ridges above the Queen Charlotte, Marlborough and Keneperu Sounds.

Ferry "ARATERE" from Wellington to Picton

First nights stay at Punga Cove

Grandfather said, "Stop and smell the roses"

Very much like Puget Sound

On to the Whanganui River for a three day , 54-mile paddle of a nearly unbroken gorge of sheer cliff walls. Most do the trip in canoes but as I was solo a kayak was my transport. I paddled alone mostly and only saw people at the huts overnight.

Looks a bit like a toy boat



Relaxing after the journey



DIED AND GONE TO NEW ZEALAND

That is the name of the article in the March 2012 issue of Backpacker Magazine. It's a "schedule", if you will, of what to see and do for thirty days. The weather is a bit like the Pacific Northwest - very unpredictable, with rain possible at any time. I was fortunate and have been able to follow the article very closely. Here goes:



Campervan complete with 2-burner gas cooker, fridge and sink



Rotorua has over 50 miles of maintained MTB trails



Barely survived




Tongariro, NZ's first national park was next



:



On the way up Mt. Ngaurahoe



It looked steeper when I was climbing
 It has erupted 45 times in the last century

The roof of Tasmania

                 All three days of the hike were perfect weather. New Zealand is next... all for now.

Sunrise on the Overland Track

Now you've seen a Tasmainain Devil

The climb to the islands higest point, Mount Ossa

Sorry For The Absence..

A lot has happened since September 26th. I put "Flyer" on a mooring at Lake Macquarie where she will stay until the end of cyclone season (May), when I will resume my voyage. I flew back to the States to visit then returned with my good friend Steve Jackson for "whirlwind" tour of Australia. I returned to the States again for Christmas then flew back to OZ on Jan 22. After picking up my gear it was off to Tasmaina to hike the Overland Track, the islands premier walking track (trail). The weather was magnificant for the 80k (50 mile) trek.

The Lodge at Cradle Mountain

Stunning