#3: [04-Mar-16]

#1: [25-May-02]

27-Feb-2007 -- Currently, three land-based confluence points in New Zealand have resisted successfully to be reached by confluence-hunters. These 3 confluence points are situated on the South Island (or even further south on Steward Island) in remote forest regions. Our mission was to complete New Zealand’s confluences during our three week vacation on the archipelago.

As one can imagine, we didn’t stay long on the North Island. From Auckland we took a flight to Dunedin (60 km from this CP) in order to head further south to Invercargill by train. As we were told that there were no trains, we covered this hop by a rental car. While heading south on the main highway no.1, a quick look on the map showed that a spontaneous visit of this CP was possible. This CP has been visited before, but I thought it could be a good warm-up for us as well as for the GPS receivers (last satellite fix had been in Switzerland).

After passing through the township of Waihola and circling around the lake with the same name, we climbed the homonymous Hill on a dirt road. About 15 minutes after leaving the highway, we parked the car on a hill with a remaining beeline distance of 533m. A logging track leads directly to the confluence, passing through pine tree forests and allowing nice views on the Waihola Wetlands.

Only the last 30m are a bit tricky due to the necessity to leave the track and head into dense vegetation. Having wandered around back and forth, we finally had a satisfying GPS reading that allowed documenting the confluence.

Later that day we continued our trip towards the virgin and mysterious CP on Steward Island.

CP visit details:

• Time at the CP: 4:33 p.m.
• Time to reach the CP from the main road: 45 minutes
• Distance to a track: 30 m
• Distance to a road: 533 m
• Topography: hilly, on a mountain but exact spot located in a hollow.
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 2 m
• Position accuracy at the CP: 7 m
• GPS height: 223 m
• Vegetation: Young pine forest. On the ground thickets
• Weather: sunny, 15° C
• Description of the CP: On the cultivated East Cost of the South Island, in a forest that is used for logging with good infrastructure. Above the Lake Waihola.
• Given Name: The Spontaneous East Cost Confluence

Story continues at 47°S 168°E