riverrunlodge

Lovely review, only just saw it on Tripadvisor. Many thanks to the writer. Meg. http://ow.ly/7g3Ts

I have to say I pretty much agree with this article. It seems like the European Union are just bailing out the banks (who have improvidently loaned to Greece, mainly France, Germany, Italy and some from the UK) again – and not even bailing them out with real money. In fact they have promised the bail-out even before they arrange the finance, rushing off to China after the deal was done to ask for some money to finance it. Borrowing to save the borrowers who have borrowed too much??? And as every week goes by the price of a Greek default gets higher and the facility and stamina left to cope with other potential country defaults gets less. Meg. http://ow.ly/7g3ES

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (6 September 2011) – Kathmandu this week signed a co-naming sponsorship agreement with Riverrun Lodge which honors joint naming rights of the Kathmandu Riverrun Trail Series, an off-road running series designed to showcase the spectacular lakeside and river tracks in Lake Wanaka.

Kathmandu Chief Executive Peter Halkett said the company was delighted to co-sponsor the Kathmandu Riverrun Trail Series.

“Not only is it a great event for Kathmandu to sponsor, but it also supports the race series which John Pawson, one of Kathmandu’s founders, was instrumental in developing. We wanted to recognise the role that John played in the evolution of Kathmandu as he was one of the driving forces behind our expansion in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

Wanaka’s founding sponsor of the trail series, Riverrun Lodge is thrilled that adventure outdoor retailer Kathmandu agreed to partner as a foundation sponsor of the race.

“It is just such a perfect fit that the company John founded back in 1987 should be so keen to support this event. We wanted to see the tracks used in an event that everyone in the community could take part in. Kathmandu brings a sense of history, as well as long term support to this event,” said Meg Pawson, Riverrun owner.

The four race running series is held on tracks and trails around Wanaka which were developed while John Pawson was chairperson of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust.

The Riverrun Trail Series provides people with the perfect opportunity to explore the new tracks in a fun and safe environment, with prizes for place getters and plenty of spot prizes to encourage wider participation. Runners can enter individual races or all four and compete for The John Pawson Trophy.

The Riverrun Trail Series begins 1 October with a 5km, 10km and half marathon option on the Hawea River Track. Race two on the 18 February 2012 is a 14.1km run from Albert Town to Luggate on the Clutha River Track. Race three on the 14 April is 14.3km from Glendhu Bay to Wanaka’s Roy’s Bay via the Damper Bay and Waterfall Creek Track with the final race taking place on 19 May on the Outlet Track, approximately 12km.

For further information please visit www.trailseries.co.nz

Places to stay, eat at and visit on the Coast

Based on my last fast trip in May from Wanaka to Karamea and back.

MahiTahi Lodge (small, very comfortable, well designed and close by a classic and wild West Coast Beach, you are likely to dine on fresh fish caught by your host) – Bruce Bay, just over 30 mins south of Fox Glacier, so quiet but convenient.

Holly Homestead (small a friendly, just outside town) – Franz Josef.

Rimu Lodge (new and luxurious, hidden away with wonderful views) – Hokitika.

Birds Ferry Lodge (away in the bush, great views and friendly hosts) – Westport.

In the past I have stayed at Punakaiki Resort – a bit hotel-style anonymous – but a great setting, quite a bit to do there (Inland Pack Track walks, the Pancake Rocks etc), good deisgn and fabulous views. Westwood Lodge is in Franz Josef and exceptionally run by Kaz Gilmore, helpful, comfortable and convenient.

Best cafes on this trip -

Lake Matheson Cafe at Fox Glacier, even on a rainy day. 

The Last Resort, Karamea, best breakfasts on the Coast.

Just had time to sort through photos of our Heaphy Track bike ride. The Heaphy (Nelson/West Coast, top of the South Island) opened officially for riding on 1 May and Department of Conservation is now actively encouraging riders, with bike racks, and new huts with bike sheds planned. We did it from Collingwood to Karamea, which seemed the easier way; gradual uphill to Parry’s Saddle for the night, then undulating cross country (with some rough track sections) over the tops – beautiful riding – followed by lunch at James McKay hut and a big and long descent to the Heaphy River and Heaphy Hut.

The last day out to Karamea would be an easy and enjoyable day or overnight ride. Lots of keen bikers met on the way doing it in a day – but we took 2 nights – 1 full day and 2 half days each side. Even three nights would be enjoyable, and there are a good selection of well-spaced huts enroute. DOC need to open from 1 April until 31 October as 1 May-30 September is too short a weather window for many riders. But it is a good start. Escape Adventures do a great job of bike hire, transport and guiding. The Last Resort at Karamea is the best finish-line watering hole and brunch haven anyone could wish for and there are two flight operators and one helicopter company running transport between Karamea and Collingwood. See http://gallery.me.com/riverrunlodge/100033

This summer we took note of guests enthusing about two particular South Island guided trips.

The first is based in Fiordland, the second is a company that offers individual adventures anywhere in the country, but mainly in the South Island. Steve specialises in out of the ordinary – could be mountain biking, or helicopter excursions or….

Fiordland Expeditions

We had a family stay over new year 2010-2011 who absolutely raved about their 2 night stay on Doubtful Sound with Fiordland Expeditions. The parents from the UK, their sons in their late teens and a teenage daughter all had a blast fishing for crayfish and cod, diving for dinner and sharing Fiordland with only one other couple on the boat. I would recommend the overnight stay, preferably two nights to really enjoy the peace of the Sound and the fishing. Perfect for families, some of the accommodation is simpler bunk style, but there is also at least one ensuite room. I think they take a maximum of around 16 people on board the boat.

Pure Adventure

In December we had a group of eight Australian friends stay at Riverrun. They were here to bike their hearts out. Steve and Deanna Rose run a company called Pure Adventure, based in Queenstown, and specialise in luxury adventure travel, absolutely anything fun you can think of (and it can be farm tours, helicopter scenics or more family escapes as well). The Australian bikers went helibiking along the ridge between Lakes Wanaka and Queenstown and night riding through pine forest by the lake. In between the action they enjoyed good food and Central Otago wine, barbeque lunches on the lake edge, golf, fly fishing and….. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xIdoUtwAG8Y

Wanaka Fern Burn Hike

One of the rougher trails in the Wanaka area but special because it is so close to Wanaka and yet takes you from farm land up a beach forested gorge and into a remote tussock cloaked semi-alpine valley, where your destination the brand new Fern Burn hut is situated. You can just see the hut almost in the centre of the photo above. This is either a good overnight hike or an excellent day hike. Allow anywhere between 4-6 hours return as this is a steep track, overgrown in areas, and does require fitness and good footing! Alternatively you can just wander in to the beech forest and stream for some cool and a picnic.

Access is from Glendhu Bay (15 minutes along the the Mt Aspiring road) – turn up Motatapu road for about 1.5 kms and you will find the small car park area and signage for the track (very discreet). Not a good winter track as it could get muddy and slippery and the area near the hut would be exposed, but a great summer and autumn track, private and giving you the chance to explore a very under-visited part of Wanaka’s landscape.

Trail Series – one race to go!

We have now had the first two races of the new annual Riverrun Wanaka Trail Series. On Sunday 17 October around 160 competitors took part in the first race of the Riverrun trail series.  Competitors can go in individual races or compete in all three for the John Pawson Trophy. The first race was fun for everyone as it had 5 and 10km options as well as the 21km half-marathon. The weather held off, just! Sunshine for the start, 20 mins of rain, sunshine, light rain and threatening clouds. Runners came from Wanaka, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Australia and Spain. The two Spanish just happened to be in town for the day I think. Lots of competitive teenagers and families gave the 5km and 10km races a go. A big chest of spot prizes from local Wanaka businesses meant everyone ended up being a winner in some way or other. EveNZ, who also manage the Wanaka (ironman) Challenge, were professional, relaxed and well organized as usual.

The next in the series was the 14.1 km race along the cool new Clutha river trail from Albert Town to Luggate. Some wonderful guests, Lance and Kathy Barrs, stayed here in February while Kathy competed in the second series. It was a fun event, quite challenging, but not ridiculously so, on an overcast day, with a few hillside gradients. The Clutha race men’s division was won by a local athlete Oskar Inkstar-Baynes with a time of 46.28 minutes, the women’s by a competitor from Finland Stina Haikka (55.45 minutes). These photos, below are courtesy of Lance. The last of the series is in May, and uses the stunning new track extension from Glendhu Bay to Wanaka township – 14.3 kms. Here is the link for any future river runners! Riverrun Trail Series Wanaka.