Dart River

Backblip from Paradise

Back to basics

Dawned a frosty but clear morning - we sat out on our wee terrace for breakfast, enjoying the warmth from the sun and taking in a similar view which I have blipped.

We drove up the valley to Chinamans Bluff (4 wheel drive road) - through massive beech forests and periodically opening out to golden grass areas - just stunning. At the end of the road the Dart Track starts, a 4 - 5 day circuit!! We opted for a walk down to the Dart River, but didn't linger too long - the sand flies were as big as Magpies.

Later in the afternoon we went walking from Paradise doing a circuit through beech forest, up hills, around tarns, through horse paddocks & three white tail deer made an appearance - this is where my blip is taken from looking up the Dart River and into Mt Aspiring National Park - More stunning in large. They take jet boat thrill rides up and down the river, a very popular (and expensive) tourist attraction.

In the evening some of us walked to Diamond Lake - another gem :)

Tomorrow we leave our friends and travel onto Lake Te Anau

Rainie