Exploring North of Westport

Even though I have spent lots of time in this area - well almost 40 years ago now, there were many places for us to see and do that I had not seen before. Many of the walks and attractions have been up- graded, and interpretation boards erected. 

Misty view up on the plateau.

Take for instance Denniston. We have both been up there in the past but considerable effort and money has been spent in recent times to make the tourist's visit more informative and enjoyable. However the one thing that cannot be fixed is the weather and unfortunately our trip up to this truly amazing site was the one wet miserable day that we have had. Of course even on a good day it can be miserable, with stories regaled about how there were times when those living there never saw the sun for three months at a time. 

Looking down the incline
from the new observation platform.

We did brave the rain briefly to view the incline. A new observation platform has been constructed and the view really does put in perspective the stories we have read about the journeys up and down it. We were unable to read many of the interpretation panels as it was simply too wet and cold. Something to leave for another time.

History of Dennison

Remains of the bath house, used by miners
at the end of their shifts.

Concrete path leading down to
the township from  the bath
house.

Later in the day we drove up into Millerton and Stockton to have a look at the current mining programme, as well as to seek out some of the historic sites. The old miners bath house is one such site and there is certainly plenty of history here.

View from Zigzag track down on to beach and DOC camp.

It is 39 years since my last trip to Karamea (not so long for Stephen) and it is amazing just how much you can remember even back that far. We drove on to Kohaihai, the start of the Heaphy Track. I have a photo of me swimming there all those years ago, and another on the swing bridge. That particular bridge is now lying discarded on the edge of the new DOC camping and parking spot. In its place is a new rigid bridge which certainly makes for an easier crossing. We chose to walk along the track as far as Scott's Beach.  

Resting on Scott's Beach

We found this track an easy walk and now think that we would be great to walk the whole of the Heaphy Track.  Lots of insect repellant would be a must as they really can make it unpleasant. Fortunately both of us seem to be immune to their bites, as otherwise would be covered in very itchy lumps.

A new place that has opened up in the last ten years is the road into the Oparara Basin. This 14km trip is over a narrow, and very rutted gravel road and by the time we got to the car park we were hoping that it was going to be worth the effort. And we weren't disappointed. There are magnificent arched rock formations formed in the limestone by the river. We walked into all four that are opened to the public, and each one is unique. The final two required a torch (remembered this time) and were quite spectacular. The interpretation boards, in the shelter/ toilet area are a credit to DOC and cover every aspect of what the area has to offer. 

The bush is in fantastic condition, the river full of brown and orange water created by the tannin from the bush, and it is full of bird life though we could hear more than we saw.  

River stained by tannin.

Oparara Arches

Old mining relics abandoned.

Coal mine.

Charming Creek Walkway was the last activity in the area that we planned to do. Unfortunately signage in the area is not the best, with the largest sign indicating this walk, not being the better end to walk from. We drove up to Seddonville and drove in through a logging road before realising we should have been at the Ngakawau end (only metres from where the bus was parked). We did however see some interesting mining relics including coal mines and were glad that we had seen this part as well. 

We returned to Ngakawau and found a very small insignificant sign pointing to the track so walked about half an hour a long it before returning out the same way. It is an easy walk along the path of the old private railway line that was used for both coal and timber. It is three hours to the other end we were at, and you either would need someone to pick you up from there, or make it an all day walk in order to return to the start.

The Ngakawau end of 

the Charming Creek

walk.

Charming Creek Walkway

Just as we were organising ourselves to leave our camping spot at Hector, our friend Liz came along and we were able to say our goodbyes. Liz is a former volunteer at the Southland Community Nursery and she now lives in Hector just across the road from where we were parked. We spent a couple of evenings with her and Ron and it was great to be able to enjoy some local hospitality.