EXPORETRACK.NZ

Join me as I leave Red Stag hut and head to the Godley glacier lake. The track to the lake is an absolute classic and one of the few places in New Zealand you can drive up to a glacier lake. It is truly a spectacular drive and absolutely worth including in your route if you want to be blown away by simply outstanding scenery. New Zealand being very similar to Tasmania and especially the South Island being a 4WD paradise. There is tracks for every skill level. There was no FROZEN OVER bog holes, but in winter time with SNOW all over the place, it will be a WILD 4WD adventure! This track is a grade 5 due to the fact the track is very changeable and can become extremely challenging at times. The weather can turn quickly in this area so drivers need to be skilled to quickly exit if a front pushes in. Is my cruiser as good as Ronny Dahl's? Can I conquer the track? Or do I chicken out? After our visit to the glacier lake, we head out of Godley valley and on to Lake Pukaki. We find an absolute killer campsite, but have a bit of a stormy night.

Join me as I leave Macauley Hut and head up the Godley Valley with it's stunning glacier topped peaks. It almost gets as wild as a 4WD 24-7 trip, but not really.... :) Our final destination is Red Stag Hut where we spend the night. The Red Stag hut is a well-managed 4-bunk hut, which is owned and maintained by the South Canterbury branch of New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association. On the hills around the hut you can find Tahr and Chamois if you have a keen eye. They are not easy to spot, but on this occasion I did manage to spot a bull and two cows.

Macaulay Hut is in the Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. This hut is 17km up the Macaulay River and access is by 4WD vehicles, walking or mountain biking. Cross the Macaulay River at the ford and look out for the DOC signs on the riverbed directing you towards Macaulay Hut Track. Keep to the 4WD track initially as this is a public access easement through private farmland. Further up valley when you’re in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, you are free to roam in the riverbed area. It almost gets as wild as a 4WD 24-7 trip, but not really.... :)

I want to bring you along on this journey and this channel dedicated to exploration and the stories behind some really cool places in New Zealand. If exploring or the Alpine region or all the way to the high country of Otago sound exciting for you then you have the itch for adventure.