Hi Everyone, this post is a little bit late as I had problems with my camera but that is now fixed which is great. I have recently returned from a three day trip to the West Coast on the South Island of New Zealand. I stayed in a eco friendly batch in the virgin flats on the West Coast which was beautifully tucked in among the bush and had wonderful views of the mountains and surroundings doc land bush across the Totara River.
On our first full day the sun shone and I had arranged a train ride on the Nile River Rainforest Train Ride, this was through caverafting adventures which is based in Charleston on SW6 on the west coast south of Westport. It was only a short drive to the office and cafe from stay, then were informed we had to follow in our cars our cool and charming train driver down this near country lane back deep into the bush to where the train station and cute train was awaiting us. There were only two more couples joining me which made the trip easy and spacious on the small yet comfortable seating carriages.
This ride is a must is takes you along the Nile River and through the dense bush while being given a historical history of the miners that lived and worked in this difficult and dense native bush by a knowledgeable driver while you are amazed at the huge limestone cliffs, beautiful Kahikatea, Rata and Punga Ferns that reach towards the skyline. At the end of the ride you are able to step off at Softrock Station and walk a short walk through the forest path to the Nile Suspension bridge to get a better and enjoyable view of the surrounding bush, river and views in both directions before returning the same way back to the train for the fun ride back to the station. Trip is just over an hour and at a reasonable price of $25 per adult.
From Charleston we drove down the Great Coast Road to Greymouth and then back inland to Taylorsville to find and walk the Brunner Mine Walk which is crosses the Grey River to the old mining town of Tyne. The history is provided by many sets of ruined buildings, story boards, and the original rail bridge that goes over the Grey River, but now you are able to easily walk across to see and learn more about the tragic disaster that struck Brunner and the lives that were lost on the tragic day. You can park on both sides of the river and there is a easy loop track covering all the important history and ruins which would up to an hour to complete.
The Great Coast Road, is long and winding heading south but the views and places to stop and see the spectacular scenery and coasts of New Zealand are well worth the drive, of course, along this road is the Punakaiki Rocks which are awesome on a winding and stormy day, and there is now being built a brand new information centre that will help any tourists and or locals that visit this wonderful part of New Zealand.
Day 3, after the biggest downpour of rain overnight, but high humidity, we decided to visit Westport, and then return to Tauranga Bay and the cool seal colony walk on the heads. It was still overcast, but still worth the short walk along and around to the seal colonies favourite place to rest and raise their pups, I spotted a few pups learning to swim and others waiting for their mums on the rocks to return from the sea to feed hungry pups. From the seal colony you can to the Cape Foulwind Walk which takes you along the coast north to end at the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse, easy for everyone and would take approx. 2 hours return.
Next Day time to pack up and return home to start work. Will visit this area again in the future and have plans to still do the Coal Creek Falls Track, on the board is was 2hrs each way.
