Looking at doing a multi day trip somewhere in the 'Skua' next year. Of those who are into such things what would be the top destinations for such trip?
Will more than likely be north island but keen to hear of any highly recommended destinations. At this stage I am researching a circumnavigation of Great Barrier Island as I have been there several times and loved it but never paddled there.
Also has anyone paddled the Mercury Islands? Sounds like can be done as a day trip from mainland but not sure how much time that would allow for exploring etc? My understanding is there is no camping on Great Mercury?
Cheers,
Yakman.
Multi Day Trip Advice?
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kpofisha
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you could consider inland ... Lake Rotorangi or the Wanganui River.
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paddlesnap
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[quote="yakman"]Looking at doing a multi day trip somewhere in the 'Skua' next year. Of those who are into such things what would be the top destinations for such trip?
Stay South young man- stay remote , do the outer Marlborough Sounds? D'Urville Is.
They are relatively uncrowded by Dickhead boaties over the busy season.
Mates stayed on an Island outer sounds for a week or more Christmas -New Year, and had it all to themselves -hardly saw anyone else -Perfect
Those places you mentioned will be bedlam that time of year and best avoided -do them when all the other idiots are back at work-
Cheers have a goody
Stay South young man- stay remote , do the outer Marlborough Sounds? D'Urville Is.
They are relatively uncrowded by Dickhead boaties over the busy season.
Mates stayed on an Island outer sounds for a week or more Christmas -New Year, and had it all to themselves -hardly saw anyone else -Perfect
Those places you mentioned will be bedlam that time of year and best avoided -do them when all the other idiots are back at work-
Cheers have a goody
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MikeAqua
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Personally I would avoid the sounds at this time of year due to: -
1) Dickhead boaties (there are enough to be a problem)
2) Screaming NW winds.
1) Dickhead boaties (there are enough to be a problem)
2) Screaming NW winds.
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yakman
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Cheers guys, so the message I am getting is avoid everywhere this time of year! 
We can take crowds out of the mix, it may not have been clear but trip will not be over the holiday season. Always plan my trips outside silly season, more likely March/April.
We can take crowds out of the mix, it may not have been clear but trip will not be over the holiday season. Always plan my trips outside silly season, more likely March/April.
"Oh it's on...it's on like donkey kong"
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paddlesnap
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Now ya talking see out the Barrier thenyakman wrote:Cheers guys, so the message I am getting is avoid everywhere this time of year!
We can take crowds out of the mix, it may not have been clear but trip will not be over the holiday season. Always plan my trips outside silly season, more likely March/April.
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yakman
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Sounds goodpaddlesnap wrote:Now ya talking see out the Barrier then
Amazing when you start doing a bit of research how many awesome places there are to go, I better get a wriggle on! I think a new kayak next year will help speed things along
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kayak chris
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I find it easier to work out how many days I can be away for, and then work the destination around that 
Circumnavigation of Taupo is also really good.
Or if your after just an overnighter there are plenty of islands around the place.
Circumnavigation of Taupo is also really good.
Or if your after just an overnighter there are plenty of islands around the place.
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Mac50L
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I'd agree the outer Pelorus Sound. Launch at Duncan Bay or half way along the road to French Pass, Elaine Bay. Both good places to leave a car. French Pass camp ground needs prebooking this time of year. Elaine Bay camp ground has usually got room all year. No camp ground at Duncan Bay but not far to paddle from the launch ramp to one. Ngauhukawhiti Bay, NE corner or go to Tawa Bay. Ngauhukawhiti Bay camp site I found in the dark so you should be able to find it OK in daylight.
Wind - yes. But, being in the Sounds you should be "safe" and find somewhere to go.
I'd not recommend trying to circumnavigte D'Urville Island this time of year - NW winds but the east coast of it can be worth looking at and a few camping spots with very few boats around.
Queen Charlotte Sound - from Waikawa head out, Tory Channel would be OK, Ngaruru Bay for camping or go out to the outer Sound via Blumine Island and the north side of Arapawa Island. You should be able to find either a camp ground at Wharehunga and use it as a base or just tuck into empty places (quietly) at night.
Surprisingly, Abel Tasman can be quiet at Christmas - New year and then gets busy after that. you need to prebook camp sites there though.
14 km before Nelson from Blenheim turn off to Cable Bay and a camp ground there. Paddle that coast or circumnavigate Pepin Island. Check the tide for half of that trip as the back is mudflats. A brilliant bit of vcoast on the outside of the island.
Wind - yes. But, being in the Sounds you should be "safe" and find somewhere to go.
I'd not recommend trying to circumnavigte D'Urville Island this time of year - NW winds but the east coast of it can be worth looking at and a few camping spots with very few boats around.
Queen Charlotte Sound - from Waikawa head out, Tory Channel would be OK, Ngaruru Bay for camping or go out to the outer Sound via Blumine Island and the north side of Arapawa Island. You should be able to find either a camp ground at Wharehunga and use it as a base or just tuck into empty places (quietly) at night.
Surprisingly, Abel Tasman can be quiet at Christmas - New year and then gets busy after that. you need to prebook camp sites there though.
14 km before Nelson from Blenheim turn off to Cable Bay and a camp ground there. Paddle that coast or circumnavigate Pepin Island. Check the tide for half of that trip as the back is mudflats. A brilliant bit of vcoast on the outside of the island.