Central Otago/Southland 6 day Safari 16-22 January 2010

[albundy]

Grade 2-4, but hey I haven't been down there for three years.
Snorkel advised as some water holes can be deep, AT tyres with good tread minium. Rated tow hooks and your own recovery gear, ie ropes/strops. I've got winch and heavy duty hand winch. Camping trip, will need to carry extra fuel. Family orientated, taking wife, boys and dog. Take some warm clothing as it gets cold even in summer on Old Man Range, one year we got snow. Trucks need to be in good order, it can feel pretty isolated up there on those mountains. No pressure trip, just cruising, enjoying the views, the company and the bush. This would be a good trip for newbies who want to explore a little more.

Saturday 16th: Meet Ranfurly 2pm. Head to Old Dunstan Rd to spend night at Poolburn Reservior.

Sunday 17th: Head to Long Valley Ridge Rd, lunch at Serpentine Church. Possible side trip down to stamper. Continue out to Lake Onslow Rd to bridge Huts rd. Out towards Roxburgh and then onto Alexandra. Spend night in camp.

Monday 18th: head up Old Man Range via Fruitlands to Obliesk. Do circuit to start of Old Woman Range, do staircase. Turn round finish circuit head to Potters. Head down Whitcombe Rd to Piano Flat camp night.

Tuesday 19th: Rest day, stay Piano flat. Hopefully NJV6 will come on board and show us some local tracks as a day trip.

Wednesday 20th: Head to Mavora Lakes. Stay night.

Thursday 21st: day trip to Windburn and Boundary Hut. Stay night at Mavora Lakes.

Friday 22nd: go sepearte ways as I have a week booked in the Catlins for missus and boys and me.

Dudes could keep trip going by heading back towards Queenstown and doing Nevis Valley, Macetown and Skippers.
Any questions fire away.
Al

[juz]

Joining in for just a couple of days would be ok? Very keen to do the Sat nite/Sunday.

[baxter]

<adds to watch list>

Sounds great, and might even be able to get off work around then.

[NJV6]

Hi Al, looks like a reasonable plan, unfortunately you can't get down to the stamper beyond Serpentine any more.
Much to my dismay last time we were there it has been fenced off as it always was on private land. That was an awesome wee track.

As a precaution, carry a spark arrestor for exhausts, particually for non turbo Diesels.

Bring insect repellant for staying at Piano Flat and Mavora!!!! Also a fishing rod for the evenings at Piano Flat for the Waikaia River.

[gards]

Sounds bloody great, put me down Al, back will be fine by then.

[hosehustler]

I would love to have gone on this trip but unfortunately will be away camping at Okains with some other families, here's a link to the pics of Jan trip of 05, and the big trip of 06......have fun ya lucky buggers

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery ... ago-jan-05

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery ... p-20052006



and the 2 easter trips we did

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery ... -2005-trip

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery/day-1

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery/day-2

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/gallery/day-3

[albundy]

I was hoping you would do that Tim . Pity about the stamper, it was a narly little track. Yep, forgot to mention fishing rods, not a fisherman. Should start.
Al

[albundy]

I have had to cancel the accomodation booking I made as they now have no tent sites. I have made enquiries with two others in the area and will post up details as soon as I hear from them.
Al

[tallsam66]

Sounds like a great trip..ill be doing some planning & seeing if i can make it.....never been around that part of nz much so a great chance to have a look around.

Are you planning on staying at Alex after leaving Mavora Lakes?

[albundy]

Are you planning on staying at Alex after leaving Mavora Lakes?

Read the first post
Al

[wjw]

hahahah That was three days in... then after the fourth day, they looked the same again!!!

If I had the money I'd be there in a heart beat....

[albundy]

Contact details for Alexandra camp ground:
Alexandra Holiday Park
03 448 8297
alex.hol.park@xtra.co.nz

They have cabins, self contained units, tent sites.
Al

[NJV6]

Al, I have been informed I have a wedding to go to in the weekend so can't join you then but during the week should hopefully be ok.

[albundy]

That's good Glen as I am expecting you to lead us around Piano Flat and show us some new ground.
Al

[NJV6]

Expecting huh!!!

I hope they are not high!

[toominator]

Woulda been keen for that got a trip down to stweart island on the 16th and work during the week though. If anyone going is going to stay on for the next weekend around the queenstown area I might be interested in meeting up.

Gotta find a snorkel now.. just finished reading the thread about skids swim.. love slow afternoons at work spend on the interwebz!

[tallsam66]

Good news....Im coming....now all i have to do is sort out the hilux.

[petefj40]

I'm keen to get out for at least a couple of nights on this trip if you'll have me Al?
it'll have to be on the lowest grade tracks though.

I'll be checking up on the updates for this one.

Cheers for organizing it Al.

[BigRedCruiser]

Sounds like an awesome trip if ya dont mind a newbie tagging along?

[albundy]

Your right Pete. Trip won't be hard. Newbies welcome as long as trucks meet requirements. My accomodation is booked so trip goign ahead. Really looking forward to it.
Al

[DieselBoy]

Looks like we should be there, more than likely the old man will come as well with his LWB Safari.

Got a job in Chch around that time, so if I can find someone to drive the work truck down while I drive my Cruiser down, it will work out well.

[albundy]

Looks like we've got 4 or 5 definites plus 3 or 4 maybes. All good. Got a mate from Westport joining us as well, drives a heavily modified cut down LWB safari, handy to have around
Al

[petefj40]

Looks like we've got 4 or 5 definites plus 3 or 4 maybes. All good. Got a mate from Westport joining us as well, drives a heavily modified cut down LWB safari, handy to have around
Al

awsome.

[Pico42]

I could be keen for some of those days. Know a few of those tracks too.

[DieselBoy]

Looks like we've got 4 or 5 definites plus 3 or 4 maybes. All good. Got a mate from Westport joining us as well, drives a heavily modified cut down LWB safari, handy to have around
Al

Can't shuffle it around to 23 to the 31st of January???

Turns out the job in Chch is going to be on the 18th. Grrrrrrrr

[niblik]

big day out is on the 15th...

just puttin that out there..

[NJV6]

Tuesday 19th: Rest day, stay Piano flat. Hopefully NJV6 will come on board and show us some local tracks as a day trip.

Wednesday 20th: Head to Mavora Lakes. Stay night.

Hi Al,

Did you want the trip for the 19th or the 20th? It's only a couple of hours drive from Piano Flat to Mavora, a bit longer if camping at bourdary hut (there will be less sandflies there)

I guess either day works.

Glen

[Pico42]

Tuesday 19th: Rest day, stay Piano flat. Hopefully NJV6 will come on board and show us some local tracks as a day trip.

Wednesday 20th: Head to Mavora Lakes. Stay night.

Hi Al,

Did you want the trip for the 19th or the 20th? It's only a couple of hours drive from Piano Flat to Mavora, a bit longer if camping at bourdary hut (there will be less sandflies there)

I guess either day works.

Glen

Eyre Creek is not that far away from there for a local trip...

[albundy]

Can't shuffle it around to 23 to the 31st of January???

No I have a weeks accomodation booked in the catlins.
As for mavora Lakes, I planned on staying in the general DOC campground there and do a day trip to Windburne and Boundary Hut. Stayed at Boundary Hut before, trampers get pissed off with us 4wheelers when we stay around there.
I was hioping you could lead us around piano flat Glen. As for Eyre river, good idea.
Al

[DA RAM]

yeah i will be there