Pakituhi Hut to Albert Town – 24kms

Total – 888kms

The way down to Lake Hawea was a 950m descent straight down a rocky, sawtooth ridgeline. It was hard on the knees first thing in the morning. Once we were down it was nice and flat all the way to Albert Town.

We walked along the bottom of the lake and stopped at a cafe at about 11am. I had a coffee, filled roll, sausage roll, filled donut and a Gatorade! It might have been a bit too much before the next 12km section through to Albert Town. That was a nice walk alongside the Hawea river. We saw people surfing in the river. A man made rapid created the perfect continuous wave.

I checked into a backpackers and then met Scott and Jane at the pub across the road for a few beers to celebrate the last three weeks that we have been walking together. They are returning home to New Plymouth for a few days and then coming straight back to continue through to Bluff. We might meet up again down the line but for now we wished each other farewell. They are such nice people. I have really enjoyed their company and appreciated their support along the way.