Day 42, Winding down
February 10, 2026
Frankton to Queenstown
TA km marker 2726.9 to 2735.0
Hiked today: 11.1 km
This morning’s exercise was a pleasant walk around the edge of Lake Whakatipu from Frankton to Queenstown. We arrived about 10:30 and cruised the tourist trap shops in the centre of Queenstown.
One job was to get replacement shoes for Ros, and another was to enjoy a world famous Fergburger (thanks Pete!). The queue was not too long and the burgers were great.
We have been thinking for some days now that we will end our hike here at Queenstown, as it is convenient to get a flight back to Australia. Also we are less enthusiastic about the remainder of the trail which goes through more farming country and a notorious section of deep mud.
We are very satisfied with what we have done, including 650km of hiking (the total for the South Island Te Araroa is 1300km); hiking the commonly accepted hardest section (the Richmonds); surviving the commonly accepted hardest day on the trail (with snow) over the Waiau Pass; crossing the widest river on the official TA route (Ahuriri R); and going to the highest point on the TA (Stag Saddle). It was a pity to miss the Arthur’s Pass section, but we felt the high river levels were too risky for us.
So tomorrow we are flying early in the morning from here to Sydney. Thankyou to all of you who have posted encouraging comments to our blog.
4 thoughts on “Day 42, Winding down”
Congratulations on another amazing walk. It has been fantastic to follow your epic adventures.
(ex patient of the best doctor I’ve ever had)
Thank you! We’ve enjoyed the descriptions and the photos very much!
You’ve done so well – great photography! I thought Okhaldhunga to Tengboche was hard work but your descent over that gravel earlier was really hazardous.
What a fantastic 650km adventure and achievement. Congratulations and enjoy the well-deserved burgers!
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