Please note: for instructions on how to get to Te Ika a Maui (south island) from Te Wai Pounamu (north island), please check world  gathering 2009/10

General Instructions:

The new site has been found, a unanimous consensus emerged on the land, with NO discussion required! :) We are in the Victoria Forest Park, in the heart of Te Wai Pounamu (the south island), near te Kopi o Kaitangata (Lewis Pass), and about 2 1/2 hours from Mawhera (Greymouth), Whakatu (Nelson), or Otautahi (Christchurch). The closest international airport is Otautahi.

Access to the site is via the Rappahannock Valley, on Highway 65, about 30km north of Springs Junction or 54km south of Murchison. Turn east onto Rappahannock Rd, which is 10km north of Maruia Village. Car park is about 3km along, visible from the road.

Driving south from Picton or Whakatu (Nelson):

From Picton, take Queen Charlotte Drive, which starts next to the Bluebridge ferry terminal at the end of Dublin St, and ends in Havelock. From there, take Highway 6 through Whakatu (Nelson), and keep following it until just after Murchison, which is the last place that sells fuel and food before the turnoff to the gathering site. After Murchison, Highway 6 takes a right turn across a bridge. Don't cross that bridge! Instead, go straight ahead on what looks like the same road, but is now Highway 65. About 54km after you left Murchison, you will see Rappahannock Rd on your left, a well-formed gravel road.

Driving north from Otautahi (Christchurch):

Drive north from  Otautahi (ChCh) on Highway 1, until you reach the Hanmer Springs turnoff on your left, just after Amberly. Take that left and follow Highway 7 through to Springs Junction, which is the last place you can buy fuel and food before you reach the gathering site. From here, drive north on Highway 65. About 10km north of Maruia Village, you will see Rappahannock Rd on your right, a well-formed gravel road.

Driving East from Mawhera (Greymouth) and Te Tai Poutini (west coast):

Take Highway 7 from Greymouth to  Springs Junction, which is the last place you can buy fuel and food before you reach the gathering site. From here, drive north on Highway 65. About 10km north of Maruia Village, you will see Rappahannock Rd on your right, a well-formed gravel road.

Driving from Queenstown and Central Otago

You have two choices here, you can go east via Highway 8 and Highway 1 to Otautahi (Christchurch), or go west via Highway 6 to Mawhera (Greymouth), then follow the appropriate directions above.