Awatere Tussock Track - Day 1
Tussock Hills
Here are my trip notes and photographs of Day One on the Awatere Tussock Track (9kms, 4-5 hours):
Say goodbye to the farm cottage, and climb steadily over sheep tracks and farm roads, following the cream painted markers. There's a lookout beside the saddle, at just over 800 meters. What a view!
Then follow the farm road down into a gully, underneath the Cregan bluffs. Keep a watch out for the nature reserves where native New Zealand plants are regenerating. You'll soon see the hut in a tussock hollow underneath the mountains. Be patient - home comforts are now close. Remember your big pack and food (wine! excess chocolate!) have been kindly carried in for you.
Oh joy! Welcome to Cregan Hut. Solar power provides hot water and light, and the hut is warmly insulated. Time to indulge yourself with that heavy book you packed, before cooking up a fresh-ingredients evening meal. This is the good life...
Awatere Tussock Track - Day One
The Awatere Tussock Track is a private walking track in Marlborough's high country. Farm owners Simon and Lynda Harvey have opened up their land to be enjoyed by others. It's the best hike I've ever, ever done.
Moosey Footnote
These are the deeply personal ramblings of a fit, adventurous, semi-senior gardener-hiker (me) with slightly dodgy knees and an untiring love of New Zealand's 'Great Outdoors'.