Te Araroa Trail

5 years ago I travelled to the South Island of New Zealand for the first time. 

The reason I was there was to see all the ‘Big Things of NZ‘ but thats a different story, anyway whilst sight-seeing everything that Bluff had to offer a muddy, sweaty backpacker asked if I could take her picture in front of the Bluff signpost. She was so elated to have made it that I asked her why? Te Araroa was her response and I have been curious ever since. 

My journey in deciding to walk Te Araroa has been much like the trail itself – long.

Amongst finishing my studies, moving, starting work, pausing work, moving and re-starting work again, all whilst struggling with mental illness and loss, I have come to the decision if not now when? and so my planning to walk Te Araroa began! Throw in a pandemic and you’ve got the whole shebang.

I plan to start in October-November of 2021 walking in the SOBO direction or from Cape Reinga to Bluff for those not yet down with the hiking lingo (weather and tide dependent since you start the walk along Ninety Mile Beach and I don’t want to be washed away my first day, that wouldn’t equal longevity for the walk or my blog).

While I am starting the walk solo, I hope to make friends along the way but would also love to see a friendly face – so join me! Send a text, call, facebook message, email, carrier pigeon, whatever and I will get back to you (reception and cellphone battery life dependent) 

And if you just want to know more about the trail click here…. or here

“I hope you live a life you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again”

F. S. Fitzgerald