Blogs from Murchison, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania

The well-known early New Zealand explorers Heaphy, Brunner and Fox, with their Māori guide Kehu were, in 1846, the first Europeans to see the area where Murchison now stands. After gold was struck in the Upper Buller in the 1860s the Nelson Provincial Government lost no time in planning for a future settlement. Murchison was taken from the name given by renowned geologist Julius von Haast to a nearby mountain in honour of a famous Scottish geologist. Dairy farming became the mainstay of the area when the gold rushes had finished and the forest around Murchison had been milled. Today Murchison provides services for the surrounding farming community as well as the travelling public. With a population of approximately 750 people, Murchison has a museum, information centre, petrol station, and a wide variety of accommodation, several ... read more

Richmond Mall proved a great palace to upload my blog. I had logged on in Nelson city to the Maccas wifi on Saturday and the Richmond Mall Maccas automatically recognised and let me in, no password, no time limit and more importantly fast upload. Today our plan was to drive to Murchison and fish along the way if possible in the Buller River which runs alongside much of the road. So head through Richmond, Wakefield and follow the signs towards Westport. The road takes you through major pine forest areas, over the Spooner Saddle and throug dairy and sheep farming. There is a major intersection just past Murchison, left to Christchurch via the Lewis Pass or right over the bridge to the West Coast. The largest swing bridge in NZ is just past the turn off ... read more

Took a walk across the swing bridge and a stroll round the historical Gold panning area on the other side of the water. ... read more

Leaving Kaikoura we headed inland to the Nelson National Park region (North Central South Island) through the Mauri plain, a vast grassland with some beautiful driving country. Onwards to the forests of Hammer Springs which is fabled for its mountain biking. We had no time to stop maybe next time! The route had many things to see along the way, the most notable of which was Maruia falls a stonking falls which is shown in the attached piccies. We then climbed through the Nelson National Park to the Buller Gorge region of NZ to Murchison. Not just a great place to stop and rest but also as we found out the home of the New Zealand Kayaking school being at the centre of covergence for 4 rivers in the region. We had to have a go ... read more

Day 84 (Monday 13/07/09, NJJ) Visited Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - nice, different, unusual. Had lunch at Dirty Mary's in Westport. I tried my first NZ flat white (coffee), was ok. Arrived in Murchison around 4pm. Jay ill with earache, 'blocked' head, bad back and uncomfortable belly. Pasta for dinner. Watched few episodes 'The Inbetweeners'. Relaxed in back of van.... read more