Day 10- Lakes, Glaciers and Into the Rainforest


Leaving Wānaka, we detoured onto State Highway 6 via Albert Town, following the Clutha River. There’s a large free camp there which, in hindsight, might have been worth exploring a bit more.

Instead, after a quick cappuccino and toastie, we pushed on.


The road took us south along the western side of Lake Hāwea for about 25 kilometres, with a fair bit of up and down along the way.

This whole area brought back memories of Cliffy Just and our primary school geography lessons — classic U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers. It’s easy to see it here. Back in the day, both Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka were buried under ice to depths of around 4,000 feet.


After following the lake, we crossed a narrow neck of land which brought us back onto the eastern side of Lake Wānaka.

That small change in direction also brought a 15-knot headwind straight onto our noses.

The scenery was still fantastic, which helped.


After a lunch stop in the small town of Makarora, we pushed on toward one of the Department of Conservation campsites in Mount Aspiring National Park. With 50 mm of rain forecast overnight, we were keen to find somewhere with a bit of shelter.

The national park marks the beginning of the World Heritage-listed temperate rainforest, and as soon as we entered the beech forest, the wind dropped away completely.

Great riding.

We settled into Cameron Flat campground, which turned out to be an excellent choice. We set up in a camp shelter and spent the evening talking with a great mix of travellers from around New Zealand and overseas.

Primoz and Marrietta from Slovakia, Nicco from Belgium, and Tim (a schoolteacher) and Elspeth (a librarian) from Dunedin — all interesting people doing interesting things.

Great company.

Then to bed as the drizzle started.

Day Summary

Route: Wānaka → Cameron Flat
Distance: 77 km
Riding Time: 5 hr
Climbing: 840 m
Weather: Breezy early, calm in forest, rain overnight
Best moment: Riding into the beech forest

Ride Links

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/22197746274
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/22198212773






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