Te Araroa: The South Island

For over 1,300 kilometers, from Ship Cove to Bluff, Te Araroa travels across the rugged wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island. Continue reading for a glimpse at what New Zealand — and Te Araroa — have to offer. South Island (Te Waipounamu) After completing the North Island of Te Araroa, I set off to the South Island to complete the trail there. From Wellington, a ferry to Picton, and then another ferry to Ship Cove, I began the South Island TA on the Queen Charlotte Track. The Queen Charlotte Track, overlooking Queen Charlotte Sound, was a fantastic start to the South Island. The trail was mostly easy and fast to hike, with excellent views to toe sea on both sids of the trail. Common in the area were wekas, chicken-sized ground birds with a proclivity for stealing food and trash.Ship Cove × Ship CoveSchoolhouse Bay × Schoolhouse BayKenepuru Sound × Kenepuru Sound Lochmara Bay and Kenepuru Sound × Lochmara Bay and Kenepuru SoundWaterfall, Mistletoe, and Fence Bays × Waterfall,…