We woke up in a peaceful setting surrounded by olive trees. Over 200 olive trees in fact.

We lazed about a bit thinking today was ‘easier’.

We chatted with the owner about the additional bike trails being constructed, and she expressed the positivity and local economic impact for the region.

Tasmania, this is what we can do too, more of! We do not need everything to be sealed, good compact gravel for a fraction of the cost will suffice. Come and visit New Zealand!

The olive oil is ready to be purchased. Next door, they sell honey and we had some with our breakfast. Super nice.

Down the hill we rolled, and what a pleasure that was to start the day with. I had noted this sign when we climbed the hill the previous night.

Apparently the area is a very dry region.

From the sign looking across the hills, the clouds were still low.

Heading out of Cromwell, they have some large fruit.

We followed a lake trail alongside Lake Dunstan. Gentle and well formed.

It winds its way through a place called Pisa Moorings, a quiet area with nice homes and meandering lakeside paths and vistas.

The clouds were lifting as we neared the end of the trail.

The trail ended and we climbed a steady hill up to the state highway. A large vineyard with an interesting roadside stall.

The vineyard also has two domes, presumably used for visitor accommodation.

It was with some trepidation we headed off on the busy road. I do think more traffic was heading to Cromwell than our direction.

At times there was a good verge, at others, it did not exist and at other times, we had those bumpy side lines to contend with when cars passed by. No consistency.

Nice views as we head to the mountains.

The headwinds started on the road and we made slow progress.

Hard to tell in the photo vs the clouds, but we could clearly see the snow capped mountains now.

After 28 km of highway, we reached the town of Luggate. Our first option for a food stop, and food timing was great as it was lunchtime.

Turns out we stopped at the wrong place, the local general store with limited options. Soon thereafter we found the far nicer area with pop up vans, nicer seating…

Leaving town just before we hit the Upper Clutha River trail.

We held a lot of optimism for this trail, high above the river. Despite being very wind exposed, it offered nice vistas.

Nice path, what could go wrong?

Great views…

Then the trail started to become a bit sketchy. By that I mean, loose, rutted, ill formed and not maintained.

The first photo it’s hard to get the descent angle across, but that is fairly steep, and I walked it. It winds, larger rocks just ‘pop up’ and a recipe for a fall.

The really really shitty sections, I do not stop.

Back on nice path, this pulled me up too! So I called out, asking if he had ridden through it? He laughed and pointed up the creek.

So off I went, pushing my bike further inland and over.

We thought maybe this is a one off. More like hoping!

Nope here I at the next one. The Clutha River is in flood it seems.

Hiked a bike around on semi firm ground.

And again….there were multiple flooded sections of the track requiring us to head away from the river and push.

The flooding is extensive, and we headed up onto higher ground that we could see was reasonably accessible.

Pushed through the paddock.

Track improved.

Getting a bit narrow, but the base is ok. I remember riding through this longer grass being thankful that there are no snakes in New Zealand. I’d be freaked out doing this in Australia for any extended length.

We came to a flooded area not pictured. There were no inland options here, and after listening to a few cuss words come out of Tony’s mouth, in essence he said…we need to walk this one…( polite interpretation).

It was knee deep water, and you could feel the strength of the current. Fortunately the track underneath was a solid gravel with no obstacles.

It was refreshing and my leather bike shoes will take some drying later on.

I walked very carefully as I have an iPad and passports in my front handlebar bag that need protecting.

No evidence of this section though as we concentrated on getting through it.

Finally the trail ends by which time, Tony has renamed the trail.

Neither of us believe the trail should be open when the river is in flood. There are no options for alternative exits.

I thought Roxburgh Gorge was tough. Upper Clutha laughed and said hold my drink!

This is the hardest trail I have ever been on. It is not suitable for touring bikes in any weather.

We headed off to meet our next trail to Lake Hawea , but Clutha wanted one last revenge after our unkind words.

We contemplated jumping onto the sealed road, but thought, it cannot be worse surely.

A good decision not to, as the Lake Hawea track is lovely, following the Hawea River, that flows from Lake Hawea into the Clutha River.

This is a long suspension bridge. That is me walking my bike, again, as if I find it quite disturbing to ride with a sway from side to side, three planks wide.

I got about half way across but it was still swaying from Tony’s crossing.

Lovely views across the fields towards the mountains and our destination Lake Hawea.

Well formed path, lovely views.

Waves appear in the water, and note that yellow sign.

A note for surfers! I’d like to see them in action, as a former surf life saver, I’d not be keen to do a rescue there for my own safety concerns.

There is a canal of very clear water around the outskirts of the Lake Hawea township.

Finally, here we are.

Elements of Lake Garda, Italy here.

Our overnight is a distance down the lake frontage and we are so happy to have a nice warm shower, wash our clothes, hang them on the windy clothes line and head off to dinner.

It was a tough, challenging day. I estimate I hiked my bike maybe 1.5-2 km today. Safety first.

Sealed road for about 29 km, gravel 53 km. Climbed over 650 m.

This trip is by far the most physically challenging trip we have done. We have ridden further, we have climbed higher, but never been as physically and mentally challenged as we have here.

But we are intact, with tenacity and resilience that comes from numerous adventure holidays.

Today will be a day we remember.

Thanks for reading. 😊❣️