From Peak to Peak by Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson

Author:Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2014-03-18T04:00:00+00:00

Tim approaching the South Island of New Zealand.

The right hand side of the Tory Channel entrance is actually formed by Arapawa Island. Arapawa is a small landmass, 28km long and 4km wide, with an area of 75km2. In 1769, Captain James Cook (the first European explorer to map New Zealand) landed on Arapawa Island and climbed to its highest point to get a better view of the surroundings. From there, he observed that the North and South Islands were divided by a stretch of water, which he subsequently named the Cook Strait. Arapawa Island was used as a base for sealers and whalers from the 1820s to the mid 1960s, but nowadays the island is home to a working sheep farm and a collection of houses that serve as tourist accommodation.

We headed into a small bay on Arapawa Island and pulled into the sandy beach exactly five hours and ten minutes after leaving Makara. What a magical feeling it was to set foot on land and know that we have made it, with little more than our own sweat and determination! Feeling euphoric, we shook hands, took some photos in the sunshine, then ate and drank, finally able to rejoice in the knowledge that the worst was behind us.

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