Beginning of the Buller – Lake Rotoiti

Each time we have been to St Anaud/ Lake Rotoiti we have been surprised to see that that is where the Buller River starts. The Buller River is the lake outlet. So any journey from Westport to St Anaud en route to Blenheim is a journey up the full length of the Buller River. Sea to lake outlet. It may be something they could make a bit more of. We were heading for Nelson but a deviation to Lake Rotoiti isn’t much extra and the lake is a magical place. We headed there from Murchison and set up in the DoC camp which isn’t far from the lake.

Early morning at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park – an iconic view.

Early morning at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

Not a great day for sailing at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park – but who would care?

Search and  Rescue operation base at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

Wyn at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

Wyn beside Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park looking towards West Bay and the start of the Buller River.

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park. Mt Robert is the big lump. We walked up it on a previous visit.

Suzi motorhome and Wyn in the DoC camp at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

We did walk a couple of walks – like to West Bay. Or more precisely, towards West Bay. We weren’t too energetic. Mostly we sat around and enjoyed the sun and the birds and the scenery. There were a few sandflies – somehow they like to hang out at Lake Rotoiti as well.

We arrived at the end of a spell of bad weather in the mountains. The weather had been preventing a search for a missing young German backpacker lost somewhere near Travers Pass. The fine weather allowed a couple of days of intense searching by ground parties and from the air. The search operation was run from the car park on the lakefront so there was a fair bit of activity to keep an eye on. Sadly they were unsuccessful in finding any trace of him.

The next day was moving-on day. Somewhere else we needed to be. But the morning was so gorgeous that it took a long time to build up the will to leave the place.  It is easy to see why.

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park

Even the water taxis were in no hurry at Lake Rotoiti.

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park. Sun, water, stones, ducks – what more could a kid want?

Gallery of photos – Autumn Adventures –  2014

(Click on any of the photos below to enlarge)

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