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Overland Track

The Overland Track is the most well known hike in Tasmania and probably Australia. It runs 65 km from Cradle Mountain in the north to Lake St Clair. If you stay at all huts along the way it will take 6 days to finish. That would allow you time for side trips such as climbing the Barn Bluff and Mt Ossa. We had some bad luck with the weather and actually felt we did not want to stay in the bush for that long so we finished the track in 4 days instead. On the Overland Track you are required to carry a tent since it is not possible to book places in the huts. Due to this the backpack was a bit heavier than usual so although it was not that far to walk every day it was still quite hard.

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Fantastic colors on the high plains.

The first part of the track is above the tree line with great views but then ends in the bush. The part through the bush is not too exciting but the first part makes it all worth while. Walking on the high plains with the button grass, the snow gum trees and the small lakes is spectacular. The hike over all reminded us very much of New Zealand except for the animals (like wallabies, wombats and tiger snakes), gum trees and the smell of eucalyptus.

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Gum trees at Windemere Lake.

This was most probably our last multiday hike on this trip. It was the 11th one since June last year and most of them the past 3 months or so. Honestly we are feeling that we are done with this type of hiking for now. It is not that much fun anymore to stay in huts or camp. I think we need a break. 🙂 We will do some shorter day hikes but nothing advanced.

More images from Overland Track:

Overland Track

Last day and drive in New Zealand – Christchurch

It was time to return the van that had been our home for the past four months and move on. Our last day of driving was full of adventures. We decided to go for a drive around Christchurch with suburbs. That was interesting. As you might know there was a severe earthquake here in 2011 which was the second deadliest in New Zealand and destroyed much of the city.

Many buildings were completely destroyed and some left too damaged to use. A lot have been demolished, lots of buildings are empty and some are being rebuilt. Driving around town is chaotic since many roads are closed and there is road work in lots of places. This in addition to one way streets made it not a good city to drive in for the visitor. We had to turn around a number of times because the street that looked good on the map was suddenly closed.

Here are some photos from Christchurch. The city has a special atmosphere at the moment with much of it destroyed in the earthquake. There is lots of construction going on and many streets and buildings are closed. To keep the city alive they have built a city center out of containers. It actually looks nice!

Christchurch

 

Oamaru – capital of Steampunk

Somewhere along the way we had heard that Oamaru is a great little town. We could not remember why but we knew we wanted to pass by. Basically it is known for two things, Steampunk and penguins. The latter I don’t think needs much explaining but the first one might if you are as ignorant as me.

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Yellow eyed penguin

Steampunk is a style with the slogan “Tomorrow as it used to be”. It features steam powered machinery in a western 19th century setting. The style can be recognized from many movies (eg Fritz Lang’s Metropolis or Wild wild west), computer games and art work. Oamaru has a small museum dedicated to Steampunk, a playground and art work around the city in Steampunk style. Actually some of the people who live there look Steampunk. 🙂 This in combination with the old Victorian style buildings is fantastic and creates a very special place.

Have a look at the photos and see what you think:

Oamaru