Western side of Lake Rotoiti

A goodly group of approx 24 hardy walkers set out early on a frosty morning to St Arnaud. We parked and boarded the ferry at West Bay (to minimise the end of day walk). The ride up the lake was beautiful with waterbourne views of Whiskey Falls. 

We disembarked at Cold Water Hut and the non-walkers took the first ferry and sat in the sun in a beautiful bush setting awaiting the 2nd ferry for the return trip. The rest of the walkers joined the team and set out round the lake. 

It was a beautiful walk with plenty of birdsong (Piwakawaka, korimako, Miromiro and Toutouwai were s;potted along the way). The track is well graded and worked well for the various capabilities of the walkers. We had a good explore of Whiskey falls and then carried on to a lonch spot by the lake. 

The final section moves inland from the lake and joins the Mt Robert road, so the last 2 kms follow the road over the source of the Buller back to West Bay. 

We had a beautiful day and a great walk of approx 10kms. All happy trampers at days end!