3.12.18 Otago Central Railtrail

The day starts early again. We still have to drive for about an hour to the starting point of our bike tour, do some shopping and empty Blackwater. First work, then pleasure. At the end of the Otago Central Railtrail, in Clyde, we rented our bikes for today, so we will be transported to the starting point about 50km away. Since 55 km seems a bit short to us, we first bike a good distance in the opposite direction, then turn around after 8 beautiful km. The former railway track is now a gravel road, challenging to ride with the occasional headwind. But the scenery is very beautiful, through former gold mining areas, over old railway bridges and through tunnels. Central Otago is the driest region on the South Island. So we keep pedaling kilometer after kilometer. All the small villages along this 150 km bike path live off the bike path, so there are nice taverns among other things. In one of them, we treat ourselves to a nice sandwich. Luckily, we ordered one to share. It is huge. And we continue towards our destination Clyde. The kilometers on the gravel road take their toll and the last few kilometers become a struggle for me. After 75 km, we arrive happily at the former train station and are happy and glad to have done this. Oh yes, the driest region did not disappoint for us, it is summery warm.

But after a coffee, we still have to drive a bit further. We want to get closer to Aoraki Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in Australasia. For that, we take a nearly 2-hour drive into the mountains. The route up to the Southern Alps is fantastic, thousands of wild lupines in shades of pink and violet on the roadside, and the changing vegetation, sometimes almost steppe-like. The lupines are so beautiful to our eyes, but for nature, they are an uncontrollable plague.

Interrupted by a short stop for refueling, diesel for our camper, ice cream for us, we approach Lake Pukaki, about 55 km before Mt Cook Village. Lake Pukaki is a reservoir formed by glacier abrasion, but it is deep blue and with the high mountains, including Aoraki, it is beautiful. Here, like many others, we park our camper at a beautiful spot, it is allowed, and settle down. The weather is beautiful and so warm that we gladly inaugurate our outdoor shower. The refreshment after a day of biking is wonderful. Now all that's left is the nourishing pasta, a nice glass of red wine, and another great day has come to an end. But just before going to bed, the weather gods want it that tonight is the first really clear night since we arrived in New Zealand, and here we are in one of the best places for stargazing!!!