Te Araroa, New Zealand 2015-16 | nancyhikes

Day 56. Mt Kau Kau. December 28, 2015.

43.5 km
Paekakariki km 1631 to Mt Kau Kau km 1674.5

Incredible weather continued today. I started at 6 am and kept going for 12 hours. It was a beautiful day. I walked along the highway, on a beach, up hills and next to horse ranches. I hiked up 2 peaks…. Colonial Knob and Mt Kau Kau at 445 meters. The day was filled with views including views of the South island.

I don't mind walking along a highway when this is the view and their is a wide foot path next to it. Plus it was only 5km.

Clever marketing.

I ate breakfast at a cafe in Plimmerton and bought lunch at a grocery store in Poirua. I ate it on top of Colonial Knob.

Half way up Colonial Knob

Views of the South Island

Top of Colonial Knob

Brett was my scout today. He, Alex and Helen were walking from Poirua to the end of the North Island. I asked Brett to check for possible camping spots around km 1670 to the top. He said the top of Kau Kau was best but might be windy.

First view of Wellington

I just couldn’t resist camping on the top of Mt Kau Kau. There is no wind. I can see lots of wind turbines amd they are not moving. I can see the South Island and the lights of Wellington.

Since I got up here there have been lots of people up here. This most unusual weather (warm and almost no wind) just never happens. Even now at 10:15 there is a group of people up here. Plus there is a photographer who wants pictures of the space station. And there are cows. One slobbered on my pack earlier. Ha, ha.