Birchwood to Riverton
Day 86: Birchwood Hut to Merrivale hut ((approximately 30km, of which we hitched 2.5km)/ 7 hrs)
We set off fairly early because the app was telling us it would be a 9 - 10 hour day. Eek!
Our start was about 2km on a back road but the low cloud and misty outlook made it really interesting. We passed a bull who really did look quite grumpy and I was very pleased that there was a fence between us!
Once off the road and on the track it was not long until we hit a pretty steep hill. Apparently someone had described it as “the worst uphill on the whole Te Araroa”.
Neither of us agreed with this sentiment but it was quite steep! Fortunately it was reasonably short and it was not too long before we reached the top (with very limited views due to the moody, misty clouds) and started walking down a 4WD track.
Our lack of views were quickly forgotten when we had the privilege of seeing four deer run across the track infront of us - three doe and one stag. It was all too quick to get a photo but still great to see.
After a while we came off the 4WD track and joined a single track in the
Woodlaw forest. Some interesting contrasts within the forest with mossy, green sections and then sections of brown, dead pine needles.
We decided to stop for lunch, sitting on the soft carpet of dead pine needles.
At this point we did not realise quite how close we were to the edge of the forest and we soon came out on another 4WD track. This then took us on to a road but sadly no vehicles passed us so there was no hitching potential!
We then went up a forest road in to the next forest but this was only for 4km and relatively easy going.
Finally we came out on to another road and hitched the 2.5km to our accommodation. We were second there after Emma which meant we both got bunks and did not have to camp! Woohoo!
We were also really pleased as today was at least two hours shorter than we thought it would be!
We got to the hut before 3pm which gave us time to do some hand washing and chill out in the sun. This was made even better by the owner texting me and asking if we wanted anything from the supermarket! How about that for service! Beers and crisps were ordered (amongst other things).
Not only that but a couple of NOBOs (north bound TA walkers) were given some fresh venison by a hunter and they in turn gave some to Roger so for dinner we had wild venison on couscous! What a treat!
I struggled with the walk today and at one point thought I may have to pull out as I was getting referred pain down my leg. However, fortunately it went away after a while and I carried on. I am really pleased I did as we had one of the best evenings we have had so far on the Te Araroa. Beautiful sunny evening, good food and great company.
Day 87: Merrivale Hut to Martin’s Hut (29.5km / 9:15 hrs)
After breakfast we walked about 7.5km up a long road in to the first forest. I had hoped we would be able to hitch this bit but only one vehicle passed us and that was a truck for transporting deer. Err….perhaps not.
Anyway, we came off the road and went on to a single track in the Longwood forest.
Now let me explain. The Longwood forest is notorious amongst TA walkers. Those who are heading north from Bluff seem to take great pleasure in telling those of us heading south how muddy the forest is (“waist deep” apparently).
With these words in our heads we ventured forth.
First we walked up to Bald Hill summit which had a very loud cooling fan for the transmission tower. Good job we could hear it as we could barely see it!
We then walked down a 4WD track to a quarry where we met up with the others for lunch.
It was then back in to the Longwood forest. This second section was muddier than the first.
As it turned out, walking through the mud was not too bad. But then again we knew that it had not rained for quite a while (days? weeks?) so knew we were lucky with the current conditions.
After what felt like quite a long time and a fair amount of climbing, we came out in to a fairly open space and the trig, with its very own stag skull!
Sadly we did not really get any views as we were in cloud. We did occasionally see glimpses of the sea. Making it quite real that we are nearly at Bluff.
Then we started heading down other side. Even more mud!
Arrived at Martin’s hut, knowing we were the last to get there and so would not have bunks. Sadly the options for camping were not great but we managed to find a fairly flat spot so set up our tent.
Unfortunately we ended up having one of the worse night’s sleep! The ground was incredibly hard and uncomfortable and it was pretty cold. Oh well…them’s the breaks!
Day 88: Martin’s Hut to Colac Bay 14.12km / 5:14 hrs)
We got up around 7 (as per) and packed up the tent, knowing we would be staying at the Colac Bay Tavern and Holiday Park tonight.
The walk out of the forest started pretty much how it had been all day yesterday - pretty muddy and quite undulating.
We passed Turnbull’s hut which was described in the notes as “derelict”. To be honest it was not much worse than Martin’s hut (the one we had camped outside of last night) but there you go!
We carried on, up and down, through mud, climbing over fallen trees, dodging tree roots. In some ways it was worse than yesterday.
Nearer the end we moved on to a well formed path which forms part of a popular day walk for families to explore some of the Chinese mining history in the area.
As we came off the track and in to the car park we met Janet. Janet is an ultra runner who has also done Coast to Coast. She feels very passionately about the local tracks and was interested to hear what we thought of them.
She also kindly offered to drive us to the Colac Bay Tavern and Holiday Park where we were staying. This meant we did not have to walk along another busy road so we were really pleased and grateful.
We met up with the others at the holiday park and the six of us had dinner in the pub. It was a fun night, possibly made all the better for knowing we would not be camping, staying in huts or cooking our own food again for the rest of our way to Bluff!
After dinner Roger went for a walk down to the beach and took some photos.
Day 90: Colac Bay to Riverton (15km / 4 hrs)
Despite being in a holiday park there were no shops so it was “camping” breakfast for us all. This mostly involved eating up leftovers so Roger and I had dehydrated scramble eggs and cheese in wraps! Yum!!
We walked down to the beach, past Roger’s friendly sheep, and then walked about 4.5km along the beach.
We then climbed a little on to the headland (shown above) for a bit before dropping back down on to the rocky coast line.
Near Riverton we moved on to a well groomed track which took us up to a viewing platform.
It was incredible to see where we had been - the Longwood Forest, the Takitimu Range and so on. They both seemed so so long and so so far away. It is hard to believe we had walked over / through / from there! Sadly the photos don’t so it justice so please just take my word for it!
Feeling very proud of ourselves we then walked in to Riverton. As it was still quite early we stopped at The Crib cafe for lunch. This was followed by checking in to the Riverton Lodge Hotel - one of the more…..rustic places we have stayed. The main light in our room did not work so we had to rely on one of the bedside lights. There was a hole in the wall which had been loosely “stuffed” with something. I could go on but I am sure you get the picture!!
Once clean we had a wander around the Riverton shops. I bought myself a necklace made with “rocks” (aka small pebbles) from Riverton beach to remind me of our journey.
John suggested we have dinner at Aparima restaurant. Despite this being a 15 minute walk each way (who wants to walk another 30 minutes after a day’s walking??) we decided it looked worth it. And we are really glad we did. It was a really lovely place. Great views over the water and delicious food.
The perfect end to another good day.
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