Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey returns to the end of Rakiura Track, initially exploring Fern Gully before taking the Ryan's Creek Track along the coast of Paterson Inlet. Upon returning to Oban, I continue along the coast following the Golden Bay Track and continuing to Point Ackers before returning to Oban.
Today's Journey
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Returning to the end of the Rakiura Track in the morning, I follow the nearby Ferny Gully track following a creek upstream. This bridge covers a much older vehicle bridge from when logs were hauled down here to the sawmills. |
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A fallen tree over the old track giving the area an aged character. |
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Reaching a clearing at the end of the track. From here I turn back towards the end of the Rakiura Track. |
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I follow the Rakiura Track for about 20 minutes before reaching a junction with the Ryan's Creek Track which I follow heading towards the coast at Paterson Inlet. |
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Reaching the site of the old Ryan's Creek mill. All that remains are is the clearing, an old concrete fireplace and a fairly new picnic table with paua shells set into the concrete. |
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Following Ryan's Creek inlet downstream, I reach Paterson Inlet looking out towards Dirty Island. |
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Following the coast of Paterson Inlet, the track eventually passes over Golden Bay from where I will be catching a boat over to Ulva Island tomorrow. This little bay is sheltered by Iona Island. |
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Continuing to follow Paterson Inlet, the track goes into Deep Bay and crosses Peterson Hill into Halfmoon Bay which I follow up to Harrold Bay where this old stone house still stands. |
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Reaching Acker's Point which separates Halfmoon Bay and Paterson Inlet. The point supports a small penguin colony. The small hill in the middle of the shot is Bluff on the South Island mainland. |
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Returning along the track and road into Halfmoon Bay towards Oban now coming into view. |
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