More Lupins and the Ahuriri Valley

Wednesday 10 December

Awoke to the lapping of waves on the stony shores of Lake Ōhau as the wind whipped up the waters. Had scrambled eggs on U-Bake sourdough in Banjo for breakfast - yum! We decided to drive back past the Lodge and take the Parsons Creek track up through the beech forest to the Te Araroa trail along the valley towards Sawyers Creek. The trail intersected with A2O cycle trail so we walked back along there, the wind keeping us cool as the sun beat down.

Back at camp we packed up and headed about 45 minutes southwest towards Ōmārama (with the excellent dump station) and then the start of the Lindis Pass.

We pulled onto Birchwood Road and into the Longslip POP which several people had recommended, and they were not wrong, it was stunning!

A big flat paddock bordered by the Ahuriri River, a small stream and looking up the gorgeous Ahuriri Valley - and did I mention the lupins?!? So many of them releasing their sweet scent right outside Banjo!

After lunch and a snooze we took the advice of our fellow campers on the far side of the field and set off up Birchwood Road to explore the scenic Ahuriri Valley - setting for the live action Mulan movie. The views all the way up were spectacular and we drove for over an hour, discovering amazing lodges, beautiful lakes, a glorious aquamarine mini-gorge, countless sheep, a stunning gateway and some gnarly unmade roads.

The Lindis Group owned much of the land we were travelling through - this entrance structure to their main lodge was pretty spectacular - an artistic wave of RSJs commanding the landscape. The lodge itself was well out of view - would love to see it! Never gonna get to stay there - room rates start at $3.5k in low season up to $5.5k in the festive season!

Travelling further up the valley we passed two small lakes which were popular with fishermen, but eventually, like yesterday the road became pretty gnarly and we decided to turn back and set aside a full day later in our travels to explore further. The views coming back down the valley were less epic, but we did stop to check out the bridge at Ireland Road over a scenic, windy wee gorge - with aquamarine glacial waters tumbling through the narrow rocky passage. Sadly, Ireland Road on the far side of the bridge was closed - it would be amazing to go exploring up there.

All in all, the Ahuriri Valley was awesome - and we will be back!

Dinner in Banjo on our return, Louis worked on some music & I chatted with our new neighbour, Colleen from Wānaka and wandered through the luscious lupins. What a privilege to be able to stay in a place like this for just $10 per night!