Lake Otuhie (Nelson/Marb) Anatori, South Island, New Zealand
By bumandworker on 05-Jun-10. Waypoint GC29TEW

Definitely had to work for this one! Didnt see a way to avoid going under the electric fence, but that was easy enough. Beautiful area. Cache container is in good shape but the log is slightly damp. TFTC!

We were camping with friends nearby and thought we would head off and see how far we could get to the cache after a couple days of rain.Following the orange markers it lead us through long grass and other dominating plants, crossing over a sandy slope and then the creek crossing which would have us swimming across as the water level was very high.So we headed off towards the bridge which was mission in itself to find a suitable way to it. Another sandy slip to cross then an obstacle, an electric fence and a creek . Finally we connected up with the markers again only to find that now we were trying to avoid boggy terrain and small washout forcing us under the electric fence again.We managed to get to within 250m of the cache location but had to turn back due to the water level.Took a couple of photos of showing how close we were and what it looked like when we approached the last marker before we could go now further. Maybe one day someone else may get to GZ, but 3 years since its last find, time will tell.

We missed the sign for this Lake on the way past as there were a couple of vehicles heading in the other direction. Stopped and had a bite to eat before Andy headed off through the long grass for a walk. Despite the batteries in the GPS dying, he managed to retrieve enough power to locate the cache at the Lake. tftc

Found while heading to the end of the road for a night's camp.

Good news, the sand slip has stabilised and there is now a good well defined track across it. That's the best thing I can say about the walk, which sticks tediously beside the twisty river as you walk through uncomfortably long grass with no formed track. Then a sign warns that there is no defined track for the last 400 metres! Certainly a hard fought smiley

After camping at Anatori overnight we headed home again with some planned caching on the way.
We hadn't walked very far before we met an obstacle in the form of a sandy slip which required careful navigation to get across safely. We did consider aborting the walk at this stage but trusted our instinct that this would be the only one we had to cross. It was too and quicker progress was made after that. Until we left the flat ground! Then it was a matter of following some vague tracks but so long as the GPS kept counting down we plodded on. Soon enough we got to GZ and very quickly found the cache.
About 200m from the car on our return we noticed a van go through the gate and fail to close it, grrrr!
Thank you bumandworker.

After an overnight stay at Anatori we were going to cache our way back to Collingwood. First on the list was Lake Otuhie. It was the longest walk of the day and the morning start suited with temperatures heading again above 30° C. At some point early on a steep and unstable part of the track made us hesitant but we gave it a try with good result. We found parts of the track almost completely covered with lush green growth but with a vertical cliff face on one side and a creek on the other you can't go wrong. Best part was hardly any prickles At GZ the find was Q&E. Back at the car we had a cold drink, then off to the next cache it was. And yes, we closed the gate as sign posted. Thank you bumandworker

After walking back from the lighthouse keepers cottage this morning, I then went in search of this cache. Hot day but interesting landscape. Tftc

Had been told about this great little kayak up to the lake so on our way back to Collingwood stopped and launched at the gate. Quite narrow but a lovely kayak up to the lake. Quite windy on the lake so had a pootle around before heading back, realised we needed to beach the kayaks to get access to the cache so back up the last bit of the narrow channel was a suitable spot. Headed back up to the lake on foot, a wee bit of bushwacking and found the cache. Nice spot, TFTC

Found with TregearP on a kayak up the waterway and out onto the lake.

We'd checked the distance to the cache a couple of times on the way in, but because of the meandering nature of the waterway misjudged the GZ - even though in our discussion prior to departing we'd surmised the likely area.

On the way departing the lake we checked again and found it was behind us. We beached the kayaks at a suitable spot on the waterway - which was good because the reeds, flaxes and bluffs would have been near impossible from the lake, and made our way back along the track.

And here's some advice for free - its really hot walking on a warm day in a spray skirt and life jacket which for reasons that escape me I'd not removed. Anyway, after bush basking, dealing with a lot of blackberry and trying to locate the 'track' which is obviously not maintained or well used, we eventually got to the GZ and had a quick find.

The cache was in excellent condition - a nice safe and secure position to ensure it stays in the correct orientation and well protected from the elements. Bone dry in side. Quickly completed formalities and replaced as found.

Thanks for the cache - highly recommended for the view of the lake whether by kayak or by track - 90% of the track is open and over pasture land, its only the last 300m that is a bit demanding.

Bit of bushwacking to get her but got here eventually. Certainly interesting in here.
TFTC

Found this cache without knowing.

Did not attempt as sign on DOC sign said closed august-september due to lambing. Will have to come back down here to go there and also go to the lighthouse

The way to the cache was a little bit tricky. At first the deep ford so we decided to use the bridge. But there was a steep, slippery section on the way, then the electrical barbed wire fence and the dangerous bridge! After we passend the difficulties we found the cache quickly. On the way back we used a shorter path without the meandering signs on the meadow!

Thank you for the cache!

An interesting and slightly adventurous place to visit. First, we made sure we started from the right place, the stile beside the notice. When we reached the ford, we looked at the "ankle deep" water and wondered where b&w's ankles are? We opted for the bridge. Negotiating the slip was a bit dodgy, but we managed with care, although we had our doubts about getting back that way. However we then had to cross the electric fence to reach the bridge, which was signed as unsafe - presumably only for vehicles! After that we followed the meandering poles and eventually reached the lake, then continued further along to the cache which was a quick easy find. We took a bit of a shortcut returning, and decided to risk the ford, which was only up to our knees, and not even cold, so not too bad. We then observed the flat tyre on our car, our fifth flat tyre in two months, so a little task to attend to before lunch. TFTC

This turned out to be a bit of adventure all because I parked on the north side of the bridge, never saw the sign or the orange markers, so off I go walking down the track the northern side headed over toward the lake as per GPS found first river looked very deep then I remembered the page talked about a bit of a bridge farther up OK found some lamp post across the river went across and followed a track around under the northern rock face got to a GPS heading just 200 meter to go, looked across to where it might be and spotted a bit of a track and a sign, OK I have gone the wrong way, its not far just a simple bush bash across to the track........ Year right flax bushes lots and lots of them 8 foot tall which made for hard work even found a few blackberry bushes, broom, and other stuff still getting close now then parting what I thought was nearly my last flax bush, surprise surprise another dam river Bugger didn't fancy going all the way back so what the heck its a nice day I will waid across, so took my pack off held it up over my head and took my first step, it was about now the saying "still water run deep" as I took the second steep the first one gave way to the muddy bottom and down I went over my head and swimming for the other side with one hand holding my pack high which pushed my head down but managed to sort of swim to the other side, very refreshing bag continence all dry, rang out shirt, shorts and hat all good to go again didn't take too long to dry off, found the cache and took the other track back, found the bridge you talked about then followed the track around the hill side to find the big slip other talked about problem was I was on the other side so was commented as I wasn't going to go back again! Found some trusty vines and slowly made my way across then a nice stroll back to the start of the track and saw the info sign for the first time, won't forget that trip in a hurry...

Bugger, unable to access. Stream was much more than ankle deep and there was a slip on the track to the bridge which would be OK for mountain goats to cross, but I wasn't keen to tackle.

Thanks for the cache. It was nice place to visit.

After doing the drive to Anatori the day before in one go we elected to stop on multiple occasions for the drive back out. First stop was obviously going to be here as you have to stop to open the gate across the road by the bridge to get through. On the way in I had noticed the sign for Lake Otuhie and my GPSr told me there was a cache by the lake. We fancied a walk as it was warm and sunny with no wind. We enjoyed walking across the paddocks and were pleased the cows ran away when they saw us: inquisitive cows are not our favourite animals. The stream was only ankle deep when we forded it and the water was quite cold. Near the lake we were surprised to see the big rock overhangs with stalagmites dangling beneath them. Presumably the remnants of collapsed limestone caves. The cache was a nice easy find too.

If there hadn't been a cache to find I am not sure we would have ventured on this walk, given we had only been driving for 10 minutes. It certainly deserves a favourite point. TFTC

I came here 2 years ago, that time we kayaked up Sandhill Creek in sea kayaks (including a double) which was so much fun, at times having to pull ourselves past the overgrown flax bushes or do 10 point turns around tight corners. Walking wasn't anywhere near as much fun but the scenery was just as good. Pretty lake TFTC

#1439

By the time I'd crossed the stream I'd already given this one a fav point

Great track that I've never bothered to stop & do before, but one I will be sure to bring visitors to the bay to in the future .. I also carried on to the 'beach' and agree it's a great place to picnic, the kids will especially enjoy it come summer ..

Thanks for a great hide!

What a great spot for a cache. We did go the extra 300m to the sandy beach which was even nicer. Lovely day for it although the fact the stream was definitely high enough for wet feet should have been a warning for a later cache. Stayed the night in Collingwood and the hosts knew the area well, but had never been here. They now intend to soon.
Thanks. A favourite.

Last time I was here, two years ago, the lake was flooded, the sign pointing the ford vs. bridge was only just above water. We were camped in the field between the stream and the sea with about 90 others on a big easter caving trip here. Luckily it was dry. This time much nicer. Although at one point the stream didn't even make it to the sea! The sand bank pushed by the high tide had dammed it up. That won't last.

Dropped off a coin from the US of A here.

This entry was edited by the Seagnoid on Thursday, 04 April 2013 at 00:04:51 UTC.

Could not go, river levels too high

Cache condition:

So long and thanks for all the cache! - 12:25 - koem

What an amazing place. Thanks for leading us there. Big walk for the little kids. They loved it too.

A nice walk but nothing like the old photos, where's all the bush? TFTC

Found quickly on an afternoon drive from Mangarakau to the Anatori River and back. Even after the extended dry weather, the walkway was fairly boggy in places but I'm guessing that this would have been the best time of year to attempt this. Signed log, TFTC!

Found after a rather muddy walk in from the road. TFTC

TFTC! OUT: TB

Dropped off pirate trackable. Close to water and apparently this location was used as a route to transport gold from local goldmining

I kayaked here yesterday, but forgot the GPS and camera, so walked back early this morning. Always a favourite spot

Found on a glorious afternoon while camped at the mouth of Sandhills Creek. Went on up the lake and found a sandy beach for a swim a pity the lack is so shallow. By the way the surrounding cliffs are limestone, with plenty of caves and rock climbs for those who are keen.

TFTC

I found the road south was locked and as it was some kilometres to GZ had to regrettably abandon attempts due to time constraints. Could have guessed this was one of yours!

Beautiful spot for a midday walk and a great spot for a cache.I have been up to this lake years ago and it was good to get back for another look.TFTC

Arrived at the carpark corner to find local cockys having a meeting astride their quadbikes. After being directed to the correct (south) side of the river by said farmers, headed up the marked track. Met quite a few stock as we followed the markers, including a reasonably solid Hereford bull, but they were happy to let us pass. Prehistoric is the word I'd use to describe this area. Not hard to imagine a moa head popping up out of the dense flax on the lake edge. Another incredible area that we wouldn't have seen if it weren't for geocaching.

Nice walk. Made me paddle two days running. I'll have to have words .
Wonderful hidden gem.
TFTC

Up early from our camp site at Anatori and went for a walk to the lake - and the cache. A good leg stretch to prepare for harder challenges later in the day. Some beaut scenery along the way too. TFTC, Biggles.

Found with Mr B during our Plan B weekend. I'm secretly glad it rained and Plan A didn't pan out but don't tell him. We enjoyed the trip here instead and we were rewarded with a nice walk and a lovely lake. Thanks.

Don't tell Mr KE, but I liked Plan B much better when the weather refused to cooperate. Lovely walk to the lake in the rain - nice and moody. TFTC #CS#

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