February 20 - Tarras to Omarama - 79 km

Another day, another pass to climb!  This time it is Lindis Pass at 965 meters.

First off, some golfing items for Pat and Ben.  The Tower Cottage (where we stayed last night) is right in the middle of the Tarras golf course.  On the way out we passed one of the greens.  Now why would the green be fenced off?  My best guess is that sheep can roam the fairways but I suppose you wouldn't want to have to putt around sheep dung so they keep them out.  If you hit a fence post
I would think you should get a free drop.  BTW, on the way into Omarama we passed their golf course - green fees were $15.

Onwards now, on a very nice morning.  Through the Cluden Valley, and nice valley scenery in the morning.  The picture with the moon in it is as we are climbing out of the Cluden Valley into the Lindis Valley (short climb, a hundred meters or so).









Now we are climbing towards Lindis Pass.  The area is dryer, with mostly sheep farms.  The climb is steady and steep near the top.

 Since we dragged our butts up this road we can show you the sign at the top.  And, of course, a photo from the top, looking in the direction we're travelling.  Quite stark landscape, and not as green as the valley floors.

Further along we entered the Ahuriri River valley, which opened way up, resulting in the wind dying.  Nothing spectacular about this valley - it's wide, flat and dry with the river roughly in the middle.  We made good progress on the last 20 km into Omarama.

Omarama is at the junction of highways 8 & 83 and I'm not sure what it owes its existance to.  Population 300, a few motels, one store, a gas station, and a holiday campground (where we are in a bed sized A-frame - cheap).  There are at least 5 other cyclists here, 3 Japanese and an Irish couple I just spoke to.  They are all going in the other direction, towards Queenstown.  For cyclists, Omarama is a logical stop before or after Lindis Pass.

Where is Omarama?   I've updated our South Island track - we are at the lower end heading  northeast.  We will probably be taking the inland route to Christchurch. 

Tomorrow's plan is Lake Tekapo, further northeast.