Waikareao Walkway

We took our rig back to Tauranga for its 12-month service and ended up staying longer than we expected. We have a problem with our batteries, and this means we have to hang about over the weekend while they try to get the issues sorted out for us. 

It's a stunning day today (Saturday), and just across the road is the start of the Waikareao Walkway.

The blue dot (just to the lower left of centre of the map) shows where we were parked up, and the walkway starts near here. We walked along the western side of the estuary—you can see Motuopae Island in the middle of the estuary.

Not too far into the walk, the pathway goes onto a wide boardwalk.

Looking over the estuary with Mount Maunganui in the distance.

A closer view of the port.

To our left, as we walked along, were people's homes. I noticed these two white-faced herons walking around on the first floor verandah of one of the houses.

The one closer to the window appeared to be trying to get inside, flying up against the glass. Perhaps he can see the reflection and thinks there's another heron inside!

Still puzzled . . . 

Looking back off to the right across the water is Takitimu Drive, the main road between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

A small side path winds down toward some of the houses.

The walkway is really popular with bikers, runners and walkers. Although there aren't many in my photographs, we came across at least two dozen cyclists and just as many walkers and runners out for their morning exercise. The Waikareao Walkway is well-used.

That's Motuopae Island in the middle of the estuary, with Mount Maunganui in the background.

A slightly closer view with the Mount on the far left and the port visible off to the right of the island.

We eventually reached some bush. There didn't seem to be any signs around, so I assume it's McCardles Bush as per the signage at the beginning of our walk.

Time to head back.

Home . . . for the next two nights at least!

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North of Queenstown

Travelling up the eastern side of Lake Wakatipu, we spotted the Earnslaw (above) on it's way back to Queenstown from Walter Peak High Country Farm. The TSS Earnslaw is a 1912 Edwardian vintage twin-screwed steamer and makes this trip several times a day, carrying tourists back and forth. The Earnslaw has been a Queenstown icon for as long as I can remember.

Further along, we stopped at Wilson Bay. It was a rather damp day with plenty of low cloud hanging over the mountains.

On the eastern side of the road, more snow-capped hills and mountains.

Pigeon Island is the largest island in Lake Wakatipu. It's in the northern part of the lake.

Glenorchy

This is as far north as we are going today. Further on are the Routeburn Track (one of NZ's great walks), Paradise, and Diamond Lake.

More photos on the way back to Queenstown.

This is looking out over Bob's Cove. There is a 20-minute walk around the edge of the cove to a pier. There are other options and longer walks, but given the weather, we chose the shorter walk. I always enjoy the bush with so many different varieties of trees and plenty of bird life. Amongst those birds we heard/saw here today were a keruru (wood pigeon), fantails, bellbirds and tuis.

This is an old limestone mortar kiln, a reminder of the cove's once flourishing lime industry. A sign near the site tells us that although lime mortar is now seldom used, it still holds together some of the district's oldest buildings such as Queenstown's original council, court and library buildings. It was also used for street curbing, lintels and doorsteps.

Half way down the side of the kiln is an opening. Lucy went in the front opening at the bottom, and when she saw me half way up, decided she would come join me. But no, it was too high for her!

The top of the kiln.

The pier goes out to the deeper water, passing over the pale yellow grey limestone outcrops.

Bellbird

There are these small signs along the way identifying some of the trees, which are great. But not nearly enough to educate me and often it's unclear which tree they are referring to. Possibly just a testimony to the huge gap in my knowledge of NZ native trees as they do have a diagram as well.

Pretty fungi.

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