Retracing our Steps over the Lindis Pass

Thursday 20 February

Beginning another trek back to Ōtautahi Christchurch - this time for a bike fix/service and for a gig in Lincoln.

Farewell to the birthday gang who are also heading that way - but all in one day! Colin looks like he is ready to snooze all the way!

We took it easier - pulled out of Hampshire Holiday Park in the sunshine with Banjo, rattled over a rather narrow old bridge and headed for physio for Louis and op shopping for me at the ever bountiful Sallies (scored a NewU maxi skirt for the $7 and some fab merino/possum winter socks too!)

Leaving Wānaka, we headed south on SH6 then veered off to follow the east side of the Clutha until we stopped for coffee at Tarras (again) then trekked on heading north and eastward with an easy ride through the Lindis Pass. The scenery through here is less breathtaking than Haast or Arthur's Pass, but the gradients are also far more caravan friendly! And it is still pretty scenic with undulating mountains rippled with streams and rockfalls, and decorated with some cool rocky outcrops.

We pushed on through Omarama (been there, done that!) but made a mental note to come back without Banjo and go to discover the Omarama Clay Cliffs which you can vaguely see in the upper left picture below. We stopped for lunch in Banjo in a layby beside a stream before pressing on to Twizel where we settled in for the night at Ohau B Canal, on a piece of land made available to the NZMCA by Meridian Energy (the hydro company) and situated just opposite the salmon farm. We arrived around 2ish and were fortunate to be able to slot into one of the last two canalside camping spots rather than having to park up by the hill at the back of the site.

We went off exploring without Banjo to check out the next nights’ options - we had heard good and bad things about the Council/DOC site at Lake Poaka including "don't even attempt the first entrance in a carvan" so a dry run seemed like a good idea.

The road in was alongside the Pukaki Canal and was a bit bumpy, but the site looked pretty cool so we decided to risk it if the other option at Lake Wardell didn't work for any reason. Louis also had a chilly swim in Lake Ruataniwha, where he will be doing an official swim in March. Then back to Banjo where we cooked up a veggie frittata for dinner then did some blogging & watched the sunset as the odd large salmon leapt in the canal beside us. Bliss! 🧡