It’s the middle of the decade and to celebrate being halfway through the twenties for Tiger Camp 2025 we’re going to circumnavigate the South Island! Meeting in Omaka on Thursday 27th February, on Friday we’ll head out to Cape Campbell for the first lighthouse of the tour, then south along the coast, around Banks Peninsula weather permitting and into Rangitata Island for the evening to stay at Geraldine.
On Saturday we’ll pop into Oamaru for fuel then on to Taieri for lunch, then further down the coast to Balclutha for the night. Sunday sees us out to the Nugget Point lighthouse then following the Catlin’s coast around to Slope Point (the southernmost point of the South Island) then around the Stirling Point lighthouse at Bluff and up to Mandeville for lunch before heading to Mossburn for the first of two nights.
Monday we’ll aim to do the south coast out to Puysegur lighthouse then weather permitting over the passes to the power station and into Te Anau. Then back to Mossburn for a second night. Tuesday we’ll head through the mountains to the sea then up the coast to Haast with our route dictated by the weather on the day.
Wednesday’s itinerary will also be weather dependent, perhaps a day trip to Wanaka or south towards Martin’s Bay and Milford depending on the route taken the day before. Returning to Haast for a second night.
Thursday we’ll track north up the West Coast to Greymouth for the night, and after passing the lighthouse at Cape Foulwind (the southernmost of only three on the entire West Coast of the South Island), Friday will herald our arrival into Karamea for the annual Tiger Moth Club fly in and AGM. Should the weather not be suitable for us along the West Coast, the alternate route from Mossburn to Karamea will be Wanaka, Omarama and Hanmer Springs. After the club AGM in Karamea on Sunday we’ll continue north up the coast and around the lighthouses at Kahurangi Point and Cape Farewell, then past Tākaka and the lighthouse at Separation Point, along the Abel Tasman to Motueka for the night.
On Monday weather permitting we’ll head up around the Marlborough Sounds – extra kudos to those who are brave enough to round the lighthouses on Stephens Island and The Brothers on our way back to Omaka.
Finishing up on Tuesday 11th March heading home to our respective locations around the country.
We have allowed for a couple of two night stopovers to allow us to catch up if we get stuck with weather – over a long event like this there’s bound to be at least one front come through if not more. Please order the good weather well in advance, particularly for our multi day run up the West Coast.
Thursday 27th February Blenheim
Friday 28th February Geraldine
Saturday 1st March Balclutha
Sunday & Monday 2-3rd March Mossburn
Tuesday & Wednesday 4-5th March Haast
Thursday 6th March Greymouth
Friday & Saturday 7-8th March Karamea (for AGM fly in)
Sunday 9th March Motueka
Monday 10th March Blenheim
