Te Araroa
South Island, New Zealand
November 2024 - January 2025
In November 2024 I managed to convince work to let me take 2.5 months off for "personal development" and headed out to New Zealand to walk the length of the South Island: 1300km from Stirling Point to Ship Cove (plus a few extra bits!). It was an extraordinary adventure full of mountains, meandering rivers, ancient forests, new friendships and the occasional waist deep river crossing.
Part 1: Stirling Point to Wanaka
Setting out with two brand new boots and one heavy rucksack, I follow the trail from beaches and forrests into the beginnings of the mountains.
Part 2: Wanaka to Arthur's Pass
As the days lengthen and the weather warms the trail climbs high mountain passes and crosses dry plains. The boots become well worn and the rucksack remains heavy.
Part 3: Arthur's Pass to Ship Cove
Rocky passes, jagged ridgelines, deep forests and raging rivers. Sunshine and occasional lightning. The bag gets even heavier and the boots fall apart.
And for the future walkers this is the bare bones details of how I planned my journey and what it cost.