Advertisement
Published: October 25th 2016
Edit Blog Post
We have had another great few days here in the North West of South Island.
After spending the the night at proper campsite with hot showers we went 20km up the road to Oparara. The last 16km was on a rather narrow gravel road and we had to check with the local information office as to whether we would fit (answer Yes but go careful).
We arrived at Oparara and set off on the first walk to the Moria Arch. The path was just magical through pristine rainforest with towering tree ferns and huge trees covered in moss, in fact there was moss everywhere all different kinds and dripping with diamond like water droplets. We encountered a number of birds including Weka and a very chatty NZ robin that hopped along a branch towards us totally unafraid. I was convinced he was about to tell us to look for Mr Tumnus! Anyway we reached the Moria Arch- or rather a small hole in the ground that was tricky to get into and then abseil/clamber down into a cave at which point we were IN the Moria arch and found the river, a little beach and lots of smaller caves inside. We
this was great but I wanted a photo of the arch so scrambled over the rocks into the river and waded across to the bank outside to get that photo (after having given my iPhone to Brian for safe keeping while he warned against falling in).
We climbed out and reversed our route and then moved across to the path for the Oparara Arch. Just take as read the magical trees, ferns and moss - more of the same. The path led us to the most gigantic tunnel cave with a river flowing through it and across the top of the cave was a separate arch/bridge. The only thing I can say is it looked like Pandora from the Avatar film, just astonishing. Anyway we promptly clambered over the "do not go beyond this point " sign and started exploring. The mouth of the cave was the most interesting but photos are just not possible as it is just too big and from the outside its partially obscured by trees and bushes.
Oh and the other thing, we only saw one other couple on either walk, we had the caves to ourselves.
We then had a Lo g drive to
get back down and the get the road that takes you North to Nelson so after a very worrying 45 km on the vapour in the tank we made a quick fuel stop, said a prayer of thanksgiving for our deliverance to Westport and then freedom camped by a disused railway bridge about 1 hour south of Takaka. It was COLD and our latest campervan has no heating (I will be writing a strong letter of complaint)! It was a very brisk start when we finally crawled out from the blankets I can tell you.
Our target for the day was Wharikira Beach, Cape Faewell and generally the very top corner.
We had to go over Takata Hill which was an epic alpine road but the views at Hawkes Lookout were just fabulous .
Well we got to the beach and had a terrific walk through fields of sheep and rolling hills that could have been Dorset if it wasn't for the cabbage palms. We stopped to watch 5or 6 seal pups playing in the creek on the way and then trudged over massive sand dunes to reach the beach - Sahara meets Dorset!
There were lots of columns stacks
and a stone arch in the sea and these formations went off into the distance along the shoreline.
We then moved on to Cape Farewll for a better view of the arch and hoped to see a glimpse of the North Island but no such luck. Our freedom camp spot was right on the shore at Puppnga. Next morning back to Takaka to do a walk around a small limestone formation called The Grove, very nice and some interesting shapes made by water erosion.
Back in the campervan and once again over Takaka Hill ( during a cycle race, talk about King of the Mountains) and on to Pelorus Bridge where I attempted a wild swim in the river. Well this river was glacial cold and I managed to get in and submerge to my shoulders but no swimming happened and I turned a very vivid red with purple spots! From there we drove on to a lunch stop by the bay in Nelson and decided to try and explore the Marlborough Sounds area. It was a long and twisty road until we arrived at Elaine Bay where a very nice and fairly full campground was waiting for us. This
area appears to be good for fishing based on the dedicated enthusiasts everywhere and when we awoke the next morning and took a walk on the jetty and found stingrays swimming and resting just a few feet away. They are amazing animals with startlingly large eyes.
From here we headed back to the junction and then another long and twisty road to Picton where we picked up a much narrower (1 car wide) twistier gravel road that went all round the coast with some buttock clenching hairpins. Where we reached Robin Hood Bay the co-pilot demanded a timeout as she was sea sick and we just enjoyed the sunshine and views which were outstanding.
We eventually ended up behind a guy towing a boat on a trailer and this meant we could relax as all oncoming traffic now had him to deal with first. We eventually arrived at the Wairai lagoon where we did a walk out to see the shipwreck of the TSS Waverley , a nice 5 km canter where I did about 20 short jogs in between the walking and began to plan my return to careful running.
We spent the night in Kaikoura and enjoyed our
first shower for at least 3 days! Our last day has been taking the slow country road to Hamner Springs. We visited the thermal springs, had a private 30 minute steam bath and then tried out all the pools from 35 up to 42 and the hydrotherapy pool. Fabulous massaging squirts that do your neck shoulders and back, I need to get me one those!!!!!
We have our last campervan night at the beach at Amberley and in the morning will begin some hard negotiations with Britz about all the issues, wasted time and providing us with a van with no heating! I'm going to be wearing my "Don't mess with me" face. We have clocked up over 4800km in 30 days and walked a fair old way too.
We have 5 days in Melbourne for business close up, final goodbyes and final check up with my surgeon.
I'm not sure anyone wants to read about that so if you do COMMENT and I might but otherwise this is Dorbansinthebush signing off after the adventures of several lifetimes.?
Advertisement
Tot: 0.095s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 48; dbt: 0.0441s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Dorothy
non-member comment
Hi Sue, you have done very well with your blogs. Can't believe you have nearly "finished'. I will miss your blogs and comments on Facebook. Hope you manage to get everything finalised without any further mishaps. Safe journey back to Melbourne. Perhaps we could do a FaceTime before you leave for the UK. Hope to speak soon lol x