Dorothy Falls and Lake Kaniere

Couple more of the gorge with a better shot of the bridge

Hokitika Area

Very heavy rain all morning and very muggy all day! The notorious sand flies on the south island just love it. And me!
Initially drove to Hokitika Gorge for a walk. The river there gathers minerals from the surrounding rock to make it appear incredibly blue. Moved onto Dorothy Falls from there to do another short walk, then came back to Hokitika along the east side of Lake Kaniere.
Pictures of Hokitika Gorge, one showing the swing bridge.

Pororari River

Took a couple of hours out to do a short walk along the Pororari River. Very enjoyable indeed.

Punakaiki Rocks

Onevof the stops I made was at Punakaiki Rocks. Something of a tourist attraction, in fact the busiest place I've been to in a while. Crowned by the appearance of a school of dolphins off the rocks. Not sure whether I managed to capture any in the first picture. They were a little way off so you may have to look hard!

Westport to Hokitika

Hello,
Drove from Westport along state highway 6, also known as ocean drive, to Hokitika.  Quite lovely but not what I would describe as  dramatic. Took a few pics and stopped off at one or two places along the way. Couple of shots of the coastline attached.

Takaka to Westport

To get to the west coast you have to come back the whole length of Golden Bay to Nelson and then strike across. Once you leave Nelson behind, it's yet another wonderland drive through mountain range after mountain range after mountain range! And then you arrive in Westport and you sort of wonder what happened!  Unfortunately the Westport area seems to have very little to commend it by comparison although I came across a number of pretty bays and a small seal colony. I also visited Cape Foulwind but again by comparison was rather underwhelmed. Moving down to Greymouth tomorrow and I'll probably stop off along the way.
Pictures: yet another packed beach in nz (Tauranga Bay) and spot the seal! There are actually some in the picture!
Be good,
Glen x

Kaihoka Lakes

Not spectacular but I love the way they are surrounded by bush and one with the beautiful rocky outcrop guarding it.

Whanganui and Westhaven Inlets

Couple of shots from the top of Knuckle Hill

Happy birthday to me

Had a very good 61st birthday. Drove 45 kilometres of gravel road from Pakawau to Patarau Beach where I seemingly had the whole of the Tasman Sea to myself! Had a very stimulating birthday swim and then drove back again! Well I did drive all the way back but the reason I went to the beach first was to time the return journey to drive past the Whanganui and Westhaven Inlets when the tide was up-beautiful! Also stopped half way back to climb Knuckle Hill for the views and popped up to Kaihoka Lakes as well. It was a full on day when you include the drive back to Takaka.  And  seeing as how it was my  birthday I treated myself to a cabin for the night before going out on the town. Well, I went out anyway! Had a handle of beer as they say over here and a huge plate of mussells from the Queen Charlotte Sound,  with fries and salad. Absolute whoppers!  Some with bacon and cheese,  some with garlic and breadcrumbs .........All washed down with a couple of glasses of nz shiraz. Caramel cake (with salt!) for pudding and a whiskey coffee to round things off. Woke up this morning and thought a train had run over my head! Pictures of Patarau Beach attached.

End of Wharariki Beach!

Wharariki Beach take 3

Wharariki Beach take 2

Same shot different light!

Wharariki Beach

How many pictures am I allowed!

More Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell

Pillar Point

A hard on the feet walk up to the lighthouse and when you first arrive you feel a little underwhelmed. Walk on 500 metres however and bingo!

Up North

Drove from Takaka to Puponga, just a stones throw from Farewell Spit,  and got straight into my itinerary. Started with the spit itself and moved on from there! What do you think of the armada of black swans?

Last of Abel Tasman

What about my little friend? Just a baby I think looking a bit the worse for wear and taking a bit of time out on the beach at mutton cove!

Still with Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman

Couple of pics

Wanui Falls

MumHot, hot, hot again and  another wonderful day exploring the Taranaki area. Started with a short walk to wainui falls. Off the beaten track and very worthwhile with a very nice bridge along the way. Followed this with a section of the northen end of the Abel Tasman Track, taking in taupo point, separation point, mutton cove and anapai bay. I have to say the track itself is rather mundane and the majority of time is spent tramping through bush with limited appeal. Unfortunately the 'goodies' are few and far between but still very much worth the effort. Blistering day and was so looking forward to a swim. Chose mutton cove for lunch and the dip only to find the shoreline inundated with jellyfish!
Done here now and moving up to pakawau/puponga tomorrow. Am expecting a real contrast. From sun kissed bays and golden beaches to a more rugged and wild experience!

The Grove

What a beautiful little walk. I can only describe it as a limestone boulder extravaganza! And a wonderful combination of rock and bush.