Day 3 - Embracing the thrills over the hills

We kicked off the day with a smooth 13 km cruise along sealed roads, where the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking as we made our way to Matawai. Along the way, we counted 34 Weka. Weka are one of the few flightless birds in New Zealand. They are hen-sized birds with caramel and black striped feathers, strong tapered beaks, sturdy dinosaur-like legs, and beady red eyes, indicative of their curious character. Fun Fact: Weka poop their body weight in a day.

But the real excitement began when we hit the gravel roads, adding an extra element of thrill to our adventure. Passing by the picturesque Te Wera Homestead, we couldn't resist pausing for a moment to soak in the charm of this little hidden gem.

The true highlights of the day were undoubtedly the ride through the high country sheep and Angus beef farms, Rere Rockslide, and Rere Falls. We stopped for lunch and spent some time there, enjoying the natural rock formations and snapping a few photos.

From there, it was onwards to Tiniroto, navigating a diverse landscape that kept us on our toes. We also stopped to listen and watch a Red stag roaring, trying hard to attract a mate. While en route, very few vehicles passed, and the trucks that did generally had a stag or two in the back.

Our journey ended just past the washed-away bridge at Doneraille Park. Or did it just begin? LOL. You see, our accommodations for the night were just 2 km across the washed-out bridge. Unfortunately, we could not get there because of the limited access to the other side. We found our van support, and after 2 hours of driving and stopping at several neighbors for directions with no success, we went with plan B: a 30-minute drive to Gisborne where we checked in, showered, grabbed a feed, and got some rest. We need to get up at 5 to get to where we ended the 132 km to begin Day 4.

So stay tuned, as we head further into the whop whops. However, over the next 2 days we are expecting to be off grid.

Oh Happy trails!
Matt