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Te Araroa with SallyJane, Bulls (2026)

27/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 113
Going off trail, yet again! 🙃
Intercity Bus Porirua to Dannevirke 🚌

Day 114 🏡
I attempt to get organised with bookings for the Queen Charlotte Sounds track, but feel unsettled about making firm plans 😕

Day 115 🏡
Upon reflection, I feel that my 'why' for doing Te Araroa has already been fulfilled ✌🏼💫✅
I am satisfied with my accomplishments and the ripples of personal growth that I've received 😊 Understanding myself more deeply is something I appreciate and value 🙏🏼✨💗
I have embodied acceptance of others, of situations and of my imperfect self ✌🏼✨😌
Te Araroa has been a wonderful outward vehicle, for my inner journey and expansion 💫

So I will NOT "just complete the North Island", because it no longer feels aligned 🙅🏼‍♀️
Apparently Earnest Hemmingway said, "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end "👌🏼
I also think it's kinda cool that I didn't realise at the time, that my last day on TA was going to be the last day!
It was a very JOYFUL and Magical day 😊

I'm open to Te Araroa nudging me again in the future, perhaps for different reasons 🎒
In the meantime, I'll step into other experiences that allow me to evolve, on different levels 💫

I'm truly, deeply GRATEFUL for my Te Araroa journey, for the amazing people I've connected with and for Y'all for beng here 🥲
THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU! 🙏🏼✨💗

Those that embark upon Te Araroa or any other 'beyond your comfort zone' endeavour, hold my deep respect 🙇🏼‍♀️
By sharing my experiences, I hope that you'll feel encouraged to live with authenticity and courage, embracing all that is meant for YOU and ultimately realising ALL that you ARE 🙏🏼💫💖

26/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 112 🌟
Hike Waikanae to Paraparaumu Beach 10kms🚶🏼‍♀️🎒🏞️
+Bus to Paraparaumu 🚌
+Train to Paekakariki 🚉
Hike Escarpment track 10kms 😍
Hike Ara Harakeke, Pukerua Bay to Mana 8kms 🛣️
+Train to Porirua 🚉

I wake naturally early, in a nice comfy motel bed and think about how lucky I AM 🤗

It's a lovely start to the day alongside Waikanae River and beyond, to Paraparaumu Beach ⛱️
I'm keen to get to the Escarpment track as it's been on my 'to do list' for a while 😊
After a couple of hours, I consider the remaining route to get there, factor in the Ara Harakeke pathway afterwards (with the thought to stay overnight in Mana), and decide it's a lot of flat walking... And acknowledge that I'm a bit bored 🙄
Realising I have just seen a bus stop, I make a beeline for it 🤭
The Metlink website confirms that a bus is due within five minutes 😊
From Paraparaumu I enjoy the train to Paekakariki and enter the Escarpment track ✅
What an absolutely JOYFUL time I have! ☺️
The track is well maintained, the swing bridges are amazing and FUN (with no wind), and the coastal views are almost continuous 😍

Pausing at the picnic table outside the shop at Pukerua Bay, I consider the accommodation options for tonight and how the location impacts where I'd start hiking tomorrow 🤔
I decide to hike 8km to Mana and see how I feel then 👍🏼

TA hiker Cameron from the UK, joins me (we had met earlier, along the Escarpment track) and we chat while enjoying cold drinks 🥤
A local man enquires about our hikoi and I am delighted to witness his generosity, as he gives Cameron a handful of cash to help him enjoy his time in NZ 💸

Stopping at New World in Mana for supplies, I then enjoy another train ride to Porirua, where I check in to a Motel ✅

I spend the evening checking weather forecasts (heavy rain for several days), considering accommodation options and finally book a bus to go home again, tomorrow morning 🙃

25/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 111 💫👌🏼
Te Matawai Hut to Poads Road via Gable End track 💨🎒🔙
+Hitchhike to Otaki 👍🏼
+Bus to Waikananae 🚌

Strong winds buffet the little hut from the early hours 💨
Lying awake, I know it will be a return hike out to Poads Road, for me today ↩️
To continue SOBO, there are more (and some, higher), peaks and ridgelines and I don't want to get one or two huts forward, only to have to wait again, and possibly again... 🙄
As much as I have tried, I really don't enjoy crowded DOC Huts! 🙃

Super GRATEFUL that I can chat with Tararuas expert Ally, before setting off 🙏🏼✨💗
After a bit of discussion, I decide that the Gable End track sounds best for me 👍🏼
As I depart, I'm concerned for a trio who are going to attempt going forward, up to the ridge and into the dark clouds 😬 (I later learn that they turned back ↪️)

Making good progress in the opposite direction, I happily notice the weather is markedly better and continues to improve 🌥️

I'm delighted when I reach the junction with a clear sign indicating the Gable End track, and feel a sense of relief that I will exit the Tararuas today ➡️

As I hike, I contemplate... 🤔
I realise that I'm not (yet) confident going into the Southern Alps as a solo hiker 😬
In addition, the enjoyment factor of the trail is diminished for me, when the only option is shared accommodation - especially when it's crowded! 🙄
I had anticipated that I would use my tent at huts, however in poor weather this doesn't make sense 😕

Feeling DEEPLY GRATEFUL to the Tararuas for gifting me these insights! 🙏🏼✨💗

I come to a big decision! 🌟
TA '25-'26 will end for me, after the Queen Charlotte Sounds track 🔚
Immediately I feel lighter and know that this is right for me, right now 😌

Shortly after reaching another junction, I encounter others who I shared Waiopehu Hut with, as well as Billy and his two sons, who are locals out for a day walk 😊
Billy kindly offers me a ride to Levin, but since I have decided to skip the Tararuas, I now have my sights set on Waikanae 🤩
After Billy drops me at the corner, I stick my thumb out for less than two minutes, before being picked up by Kevin, who apologises that he's only going to Oahu. He soon decides however, to take me further to Otaki and once there, I notice people at the Bus stop 🛑
Upon enquiry, I am overjoyed to learn that the bus due to arrive shortly, is going straight to Waikananae! 😁

How lucky AM I?! 🌟

24/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 110
Waiopehu Hut to Te Matawai Hut 🛖

I'm up early with my mind set on a bigger day, to reach Dracophyllum Hut 🛖

After clear views from the peak, it's a steady effort towards Te Matawai Hut 👍🏼
Almost there, I'm met by three women hiking towards me. They've just attempted the peak I have my sights set on, but they've retreated, saying it is too scary with strong wind gusts 😬
At 11am I pause at the hut and observe the white clouds blowing over the ridge 🤔
Realising that visibility of the track will be impeeded, I cautiously decide to wait it out... And at 12noon I make the final decision to stay at Te Matawai Hut overnight 😕

Claiming my favoured bunk position (bottom level, against a wall, away from the door), I'm feeling cold, so I snuggle in my sleeping bag, grateful for my new Kindle e-reader 🙏🏼✨💗

During the afternoon another solo hiker attempts the ridgeline, but returns to the hut, reporting cold temperatures and strong wind gusts ↩️

By nightfall there are 18 people in the 16 bunk hut and two people with their two dogs in a tent ⛺

Again, I am challenged by sleeping in a shared space that reminds me of the POW camp on the TV show Hogans Heroes 📺
The woman next to me inadvertently prods me several times before I assert my right to exclusive use of 'my' mattress and calmly push her knees off 🙄
As I lay awake, I calculate how many more nights it could be, before I have a good nights sleep 💤

24/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 109
Poads Road to Waiopehu hut 🛖

I'm very GRATEFUL to have my husband drive me to Levin this morning, so I can begin hiking the Tararua Ranges section 🙏🏼✨💗
We call into Makahika OPC to collect the resupply package I sent a few weeks ago 📦
It feels great to be in the 'proper' NZ bush again and I enjoy the trail 🌳

Unexpectedly, a TA SOBO 'bubble' of around 30 hikers has formed, as people had paused in Levin, waiting for a favourable weather forecast to proceed ⏸️
When I reach Waiopehu Hut mid afternoon, I'm informed that the next hut (where I had intended to go on to) was most likely already full 😕
(Later I learn that there were 25 people overnight in this 16 bunk hut!)

So I settle in with a few nice TA hikers at Waiopehu Hut, which is perfectly situated for an elevated view of the western coastline 😍
Early in the evening, a STUNNING rainbow appears over the ranges and I feel I'm in the right place, for now 🌈

It's Wellington anniversary weekend and overnight the hut is at capacity, with some people also in tents nearby ⛺
I find it hard to sleep with so many people sharing the same space and scooch down on the bunk mattress to avoid receiving the breath of the guy sleeping next to me, in my face 🙃

21/01/2026

Hey Y'all 👋🏼
Just wanted to assure everyone that I'm safely sheltered, back at home 🏡

Will update the daily details later, it's been an enlightening and joy-filled few days, flowing with what came into my ever-expanding awareness 💫
SUPER GRATEFUL for it ALL 🙏🏼 ✨ 💗
How lucky am I! 🌟

16/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 92-108
Off trail, restoring balance ⚖️😊

Over the past few weeks, I've reviewed my TA diary notes, done some gardening and reading, watched cool documentaries on Gaia and spent quality time with loved ones 🤓👩🏼‍🌾🥰😻

I've enjoyed contemplating my TA journey so far, and I deeply appreciate the social media reactions, comments & private messages ~ THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU! 🙏🏼 ✨ 💗

Using lighterpack.com, I scrutinised
the items I've been carrying 🤔
Swapping my sleeping mat and removing some items altogether has helped to reduce my base weight, even with adding a new Kindle e-reader! 📚

I'm feeling balanced and at ease about returning to daily hiking✌🏼☯️😌

My resupply boxes have been amended and are ready to post 📦

Tomorrow I'll be starting back on-trail, with an initial goal to reach the Te Araroa southern terminus of the North Island 🧭🎒✅

Today I had a new Oracle Cards set arrive in the mail ~ I think the card I selected is spot on👌🏼 See the pic below ⤵️

*I'll be offline for a few days, so offer apologies in advance for the delay in responding or replying 🙏🏼

05/01/2026

In case you're wondering about people like me who wear Aarn Packs 🤔
You can also simply add Aarn balance pockets to the front of your existing pack 🎒

02/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 91 ↪️💨🚘
Tokumaru Shelter to Shannon🍃🎒😬
And later, home 🏡

Hearing the loud cracking of tree branches in the wind all night doesn't make for very restful sleep! 😬

I easily make a final decision and head down Mangahao Rd towards the small town of Shannon, looking forward to coffee ☕

The wind blows me completely across the road and then on several occasions into the side bank. Thankfully my hiking poles help keep me upright! 😬
There are branches and tree tops strewn around and I'm wrong in thinking that the gusts will ease as I venture further down the valley 💨

Finally on the sealed road, a kind person offers me a lift, suggesting that's it's probably not safe to be out walking in these conditions 🚗
Driver Shane informs me there's been no power since last evening and as we enter the village, we notice linesmen removing a downed tree from the power lines 👷🏼‍♂️👷🏻‍♂️
Shane also tells me that the main road my husband plans to drive to pick me up, is closed due to a downed tree blocking it 🌳

Since I can't get coffee (all the business in town are closed) and don't want to wait here for hours, I stand confidently at the edge of the road and stick my thumb out 👍🏼
After noticing how small my thumb seems, I giggle inwardly at how accustomed to this posture I've become, and even though it's still uncomfortable with each passing car, I tell myself that the right person will stop soon 🔜
And I keep getting buffeted around by the wind gusts! 🤪

Sure enough, Tom kindly pulls over to let me ride with him... all the way to Ashurst! 🤗
This is much further than I expected, as I was aiming for Palmerston North (thinking that was more likely to get a lift to), however I live north of Dannevirke, so Ashurst is considerably closer ✅

🌟 I feel the Universe telling me, "Ask for whatever you want, without modifying it to what you think is more likely or possible" 💫
🤯✨👌🏼

Accepting this insightful gift, I KNOW it's time to pause and reflect upon all the PURE MAGIC that has occured during my time on Te Araroa, so far ⏯️✨🪄
All the beautiful, kind, open hearted, generous people I've encountered 🤗✨🥰
Glorious, varied places I've been to and traversed through 🚶🏼‍♀️🚵🏼‍♀️⛰️🚤🚴🏼‍♀️
The loving support I've received from family and friends 🤗✨💗
The connections I've made with people on the trail and (surprisingly!) through social media 🤗💫💓

How TRULY, DEEPLY, GRATEFUL I AM, throughout my entire being, for it ALL ~ THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU 🙏🏼 ✨ 💗

I'm at PEACE, having honoured myself and it's nice to feel completely at ease✌🏼💫😌

🪶
This is probably NOT the end of Te Araroa for me, I just need time to properly pause, integrate my personal experiences and allow fresh enthusiasm to sprout ⏯️😌🌱

Making a decision to make NO decisions or plans for at least a week, allows my ego to let go, and my mind to relax 🤔✨😌

So, I'll let you know, when I know! 😊

02/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 90 😏🙃😔
Motirumu Shelter to Tokumaru Shelter/Ian and Franks Hut 🛖
15kms / 6.5hrs

I reckon I was awake every hour last night 😔 Seems I'm not used to sleeping in a tent again! ⛺

When get up time rolled around, I did NOT feel excited to be back on trail, I did NOT look forward to hiking today and I even considered backtracking to come off trail... 😏
I also reasoned that it's understandable to take a few days to get back into it, so I packed up and got going, to hike Burttons track today 🤷🏼‍♀️🎒➡️

The weather and track are pleasant enough, but I can't stop my mind from continual negotiations! 🔃
"Just finish this section", "Just finish the North Island", this type of conversation goes back and forth in my mind (for TWO hours!), despite numerous attempts to divert it! 😐
I ASK for some trail magic to appear today 🙏🏼✨🪄
Luckily, a river crossing requires my full attention and my mind then settles into the present 👍🏼

Often I see dragonflies but because they're quick I haven't photographed any, and forget to mention them.
Today, the BIGGEST dragonfly I've EVER seen, flies into my vision and stops ON the trail ahead of me 😯
So I stop too! 🖐🏼
After a moment, I realise I might be able to get a photo, since it seems content to sit there. Photos taken, I attempt to get a little closer and off it flies 🤩
It feels like the magic I asked for 🪄

Later, I'm keen to see how far I am from the shelter. I take note of the km marker on my watch, as the TA app shows I have less than 3km to go ⌚
After some time I glance again at my watch to ascertain my progress, to see that the kms haven't changed much! 😑
It's a relief to see the shelter not far ahead and to pitch my tent just ahead of the rain starting ☔

Sitting in my tent for the remainder of the day, it feels like my 'Te Araroa Fire' has gone out 🙁
It's not just one thing...
I don't feel like meeting other hikers, I don't want to camp, I don't want to feel the pressure of having to get to the campsite or hut early in order to get a half decent spot 🙃
I'm simply NOT enjoying being on-trail at the moment 😔
All of this doesn't feel like ME! 🙁

I have many options which I consider before deciding that if I wake to beautiful weather tomorrow, I'll hike another day forward on-trail 🌞🎒➡️
If the weather is not so nice, I'll hike off-trail to the town of Shannon and make my way home 🏡

01/01/2026

Te Araroa ~ Day 89
Palmerston North @1514 to Motirumu Shelter 🎒↗️🛖
25.91 kms / 7.5hrs

Special, but also a bit strange to wake up at home, knowing I'm back to hiking Te Araroa today! 😊
SUPER Grateful to have my husband drive me to Palmerston North and deliver me right to the trail on Turitea Rd, THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU 🙏🏼✨💗

The weather is wonderful, but I find it awkward to get into a rhythm 😕
Luckily there are plenty of inviting places to stop, so I take several leisurely breaks today 🪑

There are about a dozen people at Motorimu Shelter when I get there and more hikers arrive later! 😲
The tent village keeps growing throughout the evening and while it's quite a sight, it's a bit much for me, craving solitude 🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️

Te Araroa with SallyJane

27/01/2026

26/01/2026

25/01/2026

24/01/2026

24/01/2026

21/01/2026

16/01/2026

05/01/2026

02/01/2026

02/01/2026

01/01/2026

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