Day 8 - Mount Aspiring National Park & Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand.


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Published: November 27th 2013
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Tuesday 26th November, 2013. Mount Aspiring National Park & Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand.

Today we had planned to go Tramping (Hiking) in the Mount Aspiring National Park. The park was established in 1964 and is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise, and a must for hunters, fishermen and mountaineers. Mount Aspiring National park is the 3rd largest in New Zealand (355,5643 hectares). It is part of the Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Historically, Maori used the trails over the mountain passes in search of food and jade (a.k.a. pounamu). At 3033 metres, Mount Aspiring (Tititea) is New Zealand's highest mountain outside of the Mt Cook (Aoraki) region.

Nearly all of the landforms in the park have been formed by intense glaciation and, of the 100 plus glaciers in the region, the 3 largest flank Mount Aspiring. The park is home to 37 species of native birds - along with the species introduced from the UK such as blackbirds, thrush, sparrow and more. The park is also home to over 400 species of moths and butterflies. We intended to spend the whole day walking the different tracks and hoping to spot some of the wildlife.

After a breakfast of Wheetbix, toast, coffee/tea and juice we left the Youth Hostel which is directly opposite Lake Wanaka. We joined the track at the edge of the lake and walked past the marina heading for Eely Point. We continued on to Beacon Point and then joined the beginning of the Lake Wanaka Outlet track. All the way along these tracks we could see majestic weeping willows and wild lupins with the lake as a backdrop. It was truly beautiful and no words will really do it justice. Lets hope D's camera can! We stopped for an ice cream and a soft drink at the Outlet Camper Park before making our way back via the ordinary roads. All in all we walked between 14 and 15 km altogether. We were shattered but had enjoyed
it immensely.

D went to the New world Supermarket and got some filet steak for dinner. He served this with mushrooms and the rest of the broccoli. Carrot Cake for desert - all washed down with some vino. M did the dishes and we retired exhausted.


Additional photos below
Photos: 22, Displayed: 22


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Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park

Majestic Willow Tree
Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park

View from the Youth Hostel
Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park

View from Hostel and Marina
Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park

M with the Wild Lupins


27th November 2013

wild lupins
Hi Mandy, had a giggle as you had typed wild lapins which is French for rabbits, could just visualise 1000s of the little blighters skipping around. Enjoying your blog XXSueXX
29th November 2013

It's all D's fault!
Hi Sue, Glad you enjoying the Blog. It is all D's fault as every time we see any Lupins he says it with a very French accent.

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