Lake Coleridge and Rakaia Gorge Camp

Another sunny day on Saturday 5th January and Lake Coleridge was the destination despite the high country warnings of gale force winds.

Coming through Windwhistle, so named for a reason, we experienced the dress rehearsal of these but the side-winds weren't so bad for the rest of the trip up the fairly quiet road to the 'village' of Lake Coleridge which really is just a tiny housing settlement but all very well looked after with plentiful wide mown areas alongside the roads. We found the NZMCA POP quite easily with it being just down the road and around the corner from the village, almost opposite the fire station. 

No automatic gate at this campground!

The POP is just at one end of a large paddock with longish grass and plenty of thistles but a lovely view of the mountain at one end, trees along one side and very quiet. One other couple from Blenheim were there but they left in the afternoon being replaced by a Dutch couple from Cambridge.

We were greeted by friendly Sam who lives in the house next door and, along with her husband, keeps an eye on the property - just a donation of $5 a night to stay.

Walking was our plan for the day so before lunch we walked on further down the road to the very new cemetery and Rakaia River where we did the tail race  loop walk which took us to the Power Station and it's outlet before returning back to camp.

T at tailrace to Rakaia connection 

First NZ hydro power station 

Which colour are we following?

After lunch we walked to Lake Coleridge, the track being part of the Aotearoa Trail,  accidentally completing the "Blue Trail" tree loop walk when we first started, simply because one of the orange markers we were meant to be following was obscured by foliage!
The walk started with a long steep ascent firstly through an open area with wild daisies and then winding up through a wooded area.

Hang on to your hat!

Quite a good workout!

I'm sure it's this way!

When we thought we were nearly at the top the track it unfortunately went onroad so the rest of the walk was on the gravel but there weren't too many cars about.

We only met one person doing the Aotearoa walk - a girl from Wellington who had been walking all day.

Are we there yet??

We continued to gradually climb up the road with the strong headwind for what seemed like ages before we finally got a view of the beautiful turquoise man-made lake, the purest lake in NZ we believe.

Still got my hat and we're nearly there!

 It looked more like the sea with all the white caps and quite big waves coming into the shore. 

Tides coming in!

It was worth the walk but we were pleased to have a tailwind and a descent all the way home. The trip, including the extra loop we did, took us nearly 3.5 hours. 18,000 steps today so the beer tasted good when we got our feet up!

Our neighbours moved off early the next morning at about 8.30. It was more like 10.00am before we left the site. We could hear the strong winds in the night but we were quite protected and the bus barely buffeted. Around midnight there had been a dog furiously barking followed by 2 gunshots. We think maybe it was a pig hunter. The morning was sunny initially but it soon clouded over once we were on the road with mist steadily descending and a bit of light drizzle. We didn't have too far to travel with wanting to stay at the Rakaia Gorge Camp where we stayed for 3 nights 6 years ago. It's a simply beautiful spot with spectacular views overlooking the azure river.

Prime spot!

The campground is pristine with it's fairly secluded camping spots nestled into the hedges and good, clean shower, toilet and dish washing facilities. No power but the fee is only $20 - good value for a great site. We have been given a prime site with the best view over the river - just a pity that the drizzle is now a little heavier and it is misty!

We did have a short walk earlier up the Taniwha walk to a good viewing point though. It's good that we did the awesome 4 hour return walk up the river 6 years ago as the weather isn't  the greatest for it today. Apparently they had scary gale force winds here last night and the camp manager has told us to move further into the camp if they return.
Instead of going fishing in the river, which was the intention, Len has decided to stay put in the bus this afternoon and enjoy the gluten free date scones I have just made whilst he watches the fishing show on TV!