January 29, 2026Twizel to Lake MiddletonTA km marker 2498.3 to 2527.5Hiked today: 29.2 km Well, our room at the Backpackers had a great shower and an electric jug and a small fridge, so it was quite adequate for our needs. In the evening, however, it sounded like a herd of…

January 28, 2026Lilybank Rd/ Boundary Ck to Tekapo to TwizelTA km marker 2428.6 to 2498.3Hiked today: 9.7 km We started the road walk back from our campsite toward Tekapo, hoping that we could get a hitch for at least some of the distance. There was very little traffic going our…

January 27, 2026Camp Stream Hut to Lilybank Rd via Stag SaddleTA km marker 2410.0 to 2428.6Hiked today: 39.0 km We woke to clear skies and set off early, optimistic that we might see views from the ridgeline. An early creek crossing ensured that we had wet feet and legs for…

January 26, 2026Lilybank Rd to Camp Stream HutTA km marker 2428.6 to 2410.0Hiked today: -18.6 km The rain, which started soon after we set up our tent, continued through the night but stopped, allowing the tent to dry before we packed up. We had a short walk up the road…

January 25, 2026Peel Forest to Lake Tekapo to near Lake TekapoTA km marker 2443.5 to 2428.6Hiked today: 14.9 km After breakfast, Steve drove us back to Geraldine, and we caught the onwards bus to Lake Tekapo. We had sent a message to a what sapp TA group explaining our plan…

The bus to Geraldine left on time and we arrived a little early, but Steve’s wife, Jenny, was there waiting to meet us. While she drove us to their home, we chatted about the area. We learned that Steve’s forebears were pioneer farmer settlers in the Canterbury region, also his…

January 22, 2026Hanmer Springs to ChristchurchHiked today: 0.0 km The rain came in the night, as promised, and continued most of the day. After a lovely breakfast at a nearby cafe, we checked out of our room at 11, and spent a few hours reading in the local library before…

January 21, 2026Hanmer SpringsHiked today: 0.0 km We’ve had a successful zero day in all respects. After breakfast, I headed off to my appointment, had the xrays and was glad to hear there was no fracture. I have bought a splint to help it recover. While I was busy with…

January 20, 2026south of Anne Hut to Boyle Village (Hanmer Springs)TA km marker 2084.2 to 2111.2Hiked today: 27.0 km Greeted by a fine morning we hastened along the track, hoping to quickly put the miles behind us so we could get a hitch into the town of Hanmer Springs. This…

January 19, 2026near Waiau Hut to south of Anne HutTA km marker 2053.3 to 2084.2Hiked today: 30.9 km It turned out that we were quite close to Waiau Hut and after packing up our tent we headed there for breakfast. At the hut, we heard that there were 2 families…