It’s still early, the dead trees are an invasive species that will eventually be completely eradicated

The Skippers Township Amenity Area with the iconic school

The school’s classroom

If I remember correctly then this is where the teacher used to live

Only empty bottles here, no full ones hidden in the cabinets

Lots of old stuff here

And a lot to read about the history of this place and all the gold mining

Heaps of old photos

Unfortunately this burnt down a few years ago

No idea what this used to be but it has sure been here a long time

Anyway, Rachel is up, time for breakfast

We decided to go on a walk to Londonderry Terrace, this photo is just beyond Pleasant Creek and looking back towards the campsite

The Sainsburys Huts here, well maintained and with amazing views, unfortunately all locked, somebody’s batch I guess?

Just a bummer that the otherwise great landscape here on Pleasant Creek Terrace…

…is in places still littered with remnants of the gold mining

Just north of Stony Creek

Looking west, part of the Richardson Mountains

Here you can clearly see how they ruined the landscape, just for some gold

Later in the day we did the Bullendale Track, it was so hot that I happily took a refreshing dive in the Skippers Creek

Rachel getting ready to do the same

The Bullendale Track was absolutely wonderful! The water had a very pleasant temperature and we could just walk through it

Just again a shame about all this stuff

No idea, what I was looking at here, the sky?

A waterfall, artificial but still nice enough for a photo

Above the waterfall the track continues

It just goes on and on

We made it up to Davidson’s Gully and then turned around

Teva’s were the perfect footwear for this trip

Another ruin of a hotel I believe

And Rachel found some wild strawberries…

…and blackberries and was over the moon with her find

The view towards Athol and Mossburn

Inside the hut, Rachel is still sleeping

This is the other, less used, part of the hut, not even a fireplace here, brrrrr

Trotters Plain

We’re now at the Devil’s Staircase on SH6 from Kingston to Queenstown looking west towards the Eyre Mountains

The view north

A little further looking at Halfway Bay

Now at pretty much the beginning of the Skippers Road, by some described as dangerous

Beautiful rock formations

Luckily not much traffic

On this long and winding road

And countless amazing views

What remains of the Welcome Home Hotel

The Shotover River

When driving here you’re constantly hoping there won’t be any oncoming traffic as the road is narrow with steep cliffs on either side

Just past the Devil’s Elbow, time for a break, shame about the sandflies though

Walking towards Maori Point Flat

Where there’s still a lot of evidence of all the gold mining

Like this boat

View from Maori Point Saddle

Pleasant Creek Terrace

Skippers Bridge

It’s been here for 120 years now

And you can still drive it

Little kind of hut just north of the bridge where many people must have enjoyed a welcome rest