Day 4 Balquhidder to Waitpinga

22 Oct 2020

~12kms, 4hrs walking

We are expecting rain this afternoon and tomorrow and discussed pushing through to the end of the walk but after consideration decided to just walk in the rain if it transpired.

Up early at 6.30am in the hope that we would arrive at Waitpinga and set up the tent before the rain started. Left camp at 8.10am and walked along the road for about 700m before entering paddocks (once again with difficult to find track markings) and then through a lovely valley and along a creek to a little cove.

We walked along the beach with a stream crossing on stepping stones before an ascent to the cliffs.

The day consisted of walking along cliffs and coves with a longer beach walk on Parsons Beach and finally on Waitpinga Beach.

We were very excited when we spotted some endangered Hooded Plovers on Waitpinga Beach.

Arrived at camp, which was ~600m behind the beach/sand dunes at 12.15pm. Set up camp before the rain and after lunch went for a walk on Waitpinga Beach without packs or boots. Needed our rain jackets as there were rain showers on and off all afternoon.

Another early night after dinner in a shelter at the campsite.