Solo kayak and beach camp, Okataina, Rotorua ⛺️🛶

Day 1 of my SOLO kayak camp was clear, calm and sunny. I launched the Mission kayak at Lake Okataina, near Rotorua and set off for the far end of the lake. Surrounded by steep bush clad hills did not leave many options for pitching my tent until I came across a gorgeous wee beach facing the setting sun. It was very relaxing just chilling on the beach with a young wallaby (and a rat 🐀)

Went to sleep on a bed of sand to be woken by winds at 3am. This was always a possibility as I’d camped on an exposed Point however I’d checked in the daylight for alternatives and knew that nearby was shelter under the trees.

While shifting camp, the wind lifted my tent and impaled it on a broken tree trunk. I had tied my tent to another tree which was the only thing that stopped it disappearing into the night. Lucky no harm was done and I soon went back to sleep.

Tomorrow I will complete the circumnavigation of Lake. Okataina.


ℹ️Stats
 📅 Date: 12/03/2022
☀️Weather: calm, clear and sunny conditions
⏮ From: Tauranganui Bay, Lake Okataina, Rotorua District
⏭ To: Oruaroa Bay, Lake Okataina
⛺️ Accommodation: Wild camping
👏 Difficulty: Easy
🛶 Distance: 6.96km
🏃🏼‍♀️Average Speed: 3.7km
🏃🏼‍♀️ Moving Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
🕘 Elapsed Time 2 hours 14 minutes
🛶 Kayak: Mission 280

Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 10/10
Fatigue: 1/10
Ease of terrain: 9/10

Check out my Kayaking Playlist for other awesome kayaking adventures:

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Hi I’m Sharon Evans the Freewheeling Kiwi and my mission is to inspire and motivate other women to spend time in nature and reconnect with the outdoors, wherever that might be and at whatever level they are comfortable with. 
 
The best things in life happen when we're outside of our comfort zone and until we push our boundaries, we'll never know what we like or what we're capable of. Independent and self-supported travel or micro-adventures are for all of us however sometimes knowing where to start, how to prepare or what to expect can be a little overwhelming. I'm here to help and encourage you on your way.
 
🌿More awesome kayak adventures here

 
Please share this channel with someone you think might benefit from it, so that they too will be inspired and encouraged to spend more time in nature.

00:00 - Kayak Tauranganui Bay, Lake Okataina
02:00 - Te Koutu Pa Site
03:03 - Description of Lake Okataina
04:03 - Oruaroa Point
06:05 - Assembling my Marmot tent
07:59 - Sunset
09:03 - Shifting camp at 3am!

[dawnevans]

Great watching this and getting a deeper understanding of your visit to this treasure - Lake Okataina.

[shotbychristo]

Beautiful video of your camping adventure.

[creiveworks]

THIS is so amazing! And the views are stunning! Great video - wondering how you managed through the night camped on the beach and the rest of the trip?! Hopeful for a part 2!