Again time to see
more of this incredible country and so we left Cass Bay via Arthur’s Pass at 924m,
one of only three passes crossing the Southern Alps to the small town and sea
Port of Greymouth on the West Coast.
Four hours later we are in Punakaiki, located half way between Greymouth and Westport,
known for: Pancake rocks, Blowholes, and outstanding landscape. For
our lunch stop we walked the Truman Track through lush subtropical forest
featuring Rate trees, and Nikau palms to reach a lovely beach with rocky
outcrops before continuing North to Westport staying for two nights at the YHA
Hostel.
The
following morning we drove to Tauranga Bay on Cape Foulwind ( named by Captain
Cook for the difficult or “foul” winds he experience in this area) after a
short coastal walk we were looking down on a colony of NZ fur seals, and very
young pups just born between Nov and Jan, with stunning views over this rocky
coastline.
We stopped at
Ngakawau to visit Charming Creek, a three hour walkway. This was an historic railway track passing through
a gorge of features, massive boulders ,waterfalls and sheer cliffs, including
railway tunnels, mining relics, and old timber works, this was an excellent day
with sunshine all day.
Today,
off to Abel Tasman National Park with miles of golden beaches and tidal estuaries
and inviting ocean for all water sports.
Night stop at Marahau
backpackers lodge before starting on our two day tramp from Bark Bay to
Totaranui, with our night stop at Awaroa Hut.
Carrying all but the kitchen sink on our backs we took the local river
Taxi to Bark Bay. Our walk included
both river and tidal crossings and walking over cliff tops through forest paths.
Our first stop was at Tonga bay for a coffee,
and on for a few hours before our tidal crossing at Onetahuti and well earned
lunch stop. Continuing on over the
headland and tree forest we arrived at Awaroa hut our night stop.
That
night we had very heavy rain ,thus making our twenty five minute Awaroa inlet crossing
the following morning a serious undertaking,
as the crossing can only be made 1 hour 30 min before and 2hours after low tide.
However, with the rivers in full spate and the advice of the hut warden we
managed to cross with the water waist high .
The rest of the walk was good ending up at Totaranui bay to catch our
water Taxi back to Marahau.
Following a change
and shower we left on route to Collingwood over "The Hill" to Takaka,
27 kms away, a journey of about 2 hours.
Collingwood is in unique
Golden Bay, close to Wharariki Beach and Farewell Spit, at the top of the South
Island.
We spent two days
here walking and sightseeing before our departure to Nelson for one night and
some excellent mountain walking at over 1000 metres, and on to Picton for two
nights. Picton is the South Island terminus
for the ferries that cross Cook Straight. The scenery around the town is quite breathtaking,
we explored via many narrow winding roads leading out to the Marlborough Sounds,
and the Queen Charlotte walking track.
Upon leaving Picton,
we made our way back to Christchurch, via
Blenheim and the beautiful coastal road via Kaikoura, famous for whale spotting,
it even has a “whaleway station”!
All in all, a very
enjoyable trip. We are now planning a further trip in a couple of weeks, exploring
down South, and, hopefully, taking in a trip to Stewart Island.
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