We packed up and headed to the beach we left about 9am. The beach was stunning, I can see why it was a Microsoft Windows screen! We explored along the beach taking heaps of photos. We decided to go right to the end and walk back via the lake. Overall about 7km.
We got back to the car about 11.30am. We headed off for some food and went to the Old school Cafe in Pākawau. The food was excellent. From there we decided to head to Totaranui DOC campsite in the Abel Tasman National Park. A chill afternoon reading our books and swimming.
When packing up the tent I noticed 3 distinct holes in one of the sides. Miffed at how they came to be we jumped into action to repair it. We then realised the chickens must have attacked the tent either with bugs or just wanting to get in.
Today we headed towards Farewell Spit. The drive was really nice over Tākaka Hill. First time we have been able to go over with no traffic lights. When we got over to Tākaka we stopped and walked around the shops then got some lunch (for Rowan and I breakfast). We continued on until we reached Pūponga, the campsite there is really small so we thought we would book in first before heading g back to the Spit. Wharariki Beach is somewhere we want to go but the carpark is absolutely packed. Since it is right next to the campsite we decided we would go in the morning. Once the tent was all done, we headed out and went to Cape Farewell. A small walk out to see the arch but we ended up walking a lot further over the hills to get a view of the Spit.
From there we headed to the Farewell Spit and decided we could come back tomorrow. So we headed back to camp and made dinner so we could have an early night.
We all hopped in the river for a swim! Much cheaper then paying for showers. Rowan needed to send a picture to his friend so you guys may as well see his full moon too!
From Murchison we headed to Nelson. There was a lot of road works so it took longer than normal. We stopped at Wakefield for a pie (the best in my opinion). From there we had some errands to run in Nelson. Pharmacy, Vodafone etc. When walking through a shop Jenna had some friends see her unexpectedly. They had met in Hokitika. We invited them along to join us in the Aniseed Valley for a rock hunt in the afternoon. Once done hunting it was still fairly early so we headed to Marahau where Jenna wanted to stay. There is a burger joint there called Fat Tui and it is supposed to be really good. We order our burgers and they say they won’t be ready till 8pm so we find our camp and set up the tent. The inside will need to wait. From camp we walk down to the burger joint and wait. The wait ends up being 40min, which is annoying because we could have set up camp properly. The burgers finally are ready, I found them to be a bit bland and lacking flavour but Jenna loves them.
When we got back to the barn campground it was really smelly. They must have a full septic tank or something. Very unpleasant indeed. It was quite late by the time we set up and showered.
We pack up and have a coffee. When we arrive in Karamea we head to the cafe for brunch. Great pies and really cheap!
We head right out to the end where the Heaphy Track is. It’s a stunning spot with only a few people around.
From there we head to the Box Cave and to Apara Arch. Unfortunately the arch was closed and one of the caves was closed. But we enjoyed the Cave. It had a few gloworms too. Last time we were here with Frankie!
From Karamea we headed to Murchison, we got to Westport at 5pm for a refuel. Murchison Riverside holiday park was really nice. We washed in the river because why not!
We decided we needed a go nowhere day. It was quite a relaxing morning. I enjoyed their outdoor shower. The cafe at the campground made us a great coffee. I ended up watching Rowan fish. He would catch a Kahawai, reel it in and it would get away. This happened several times.
Lunchtime arrived, Rowan and I swam across the river and walked to the pub for lunch. Then we went back across the river. We had spent so much time after lunch at the pub that by the time we got back it was time for dinner. Another spectacular sunset.
We are out of the campground before 8am. We head to the shops and go to a cafe for breakfast. After a good coffee and food, we head north. Stopping several times at beaches along the way.
We have lunch about 30min from Westport at a tavern, it is not great. Won’t be going back there again. The best thing about it was the colouring in I did to waste time while waiting for our meals.
We arrived in Mokihinui and got a tent site at Gentle Annie’s. It is a great spit right at the mouth of the river. Rowan and I went swimming and we went across to the other side. About a year ago, we were here with Frank the duck but in an airbnb on the other side. We went to the pub for dinner, which was super cheap and delicious. Rowan reckons better than he remembers. Full bellies, we head back and watch the sunset.
A quiet and peaceful start to the day. I drank coffee and read my book. Rowan got up and wished me a happy birthday. Yes today I am 34! Just another day I said, no need to make a big deal. Jenna was to head west via Arthur’s Pass. We make a detour to PB tech to get a new phone for me. We also stop at Torpedo7 to send off my hiking boots to be fixed. Heading west we stop in Sheffield for a pie for lunch. When we reach the mountains there has been snow and it is truly beautiful.
Castle Hill has had some upgrades with a spot to picnic under now. Our main mission for today is to get Jenna up and close with a Kea. We get to the first spot we regularly see them and none are there. I think it is worth waiting for a bit and sure enough, one shows up, then another two. Jenna is really happy as now she has a lot of photos of them.
We make it to Kumara and Rowan would like to fossick the Serpentine Beach. I bail out after a bit and head back to the car. I call back my mum and the sun starts to set. By this time I am getting past being hungry. The sunset is stunning.
Birthday candle?
The sun has gone by the time they get back, we better head to the campground and set up. It is dark but we easily set up. Then we head off for food. Not much available in greymouth at this time with pizza or McDonald’s as our only options. McDonald’s wins. I haven’t had a McDonald’s birthday party since I was 8. They didn’t give me a paper hat… sad lol
An easy going day. We go to the little op shop and the four square for supplies. Jenna is having a migraine, so she sleeps it off. The day quickly disappears, Rowan and I sort through all our food. The weather outside is off and on again rain. By the afternoon Jenna is feeling a bit better, so we head to Motunau to hunt for fossils. I end up sitting in the car enjoying my book while they go out. The tide is coming in and by the time they get back, they are up to their hips wading through the estuary. Jenna found a couple of pieces and they took a whale vertebrae back to give to the owners of the campground.
I am finally over the cold. I have had a leftover cough and runny nose for a long time. We are heading west tomorrow, the weather is forecasted to be really good.
Jenna and I are drinking coffee in the DOC kitchen immersed in conversation. When Jenna says “guys that’s our stuff.” I turn around to see people cooking with our cooker and piling up our food and camp gear into a pile. Feeling quite shocked, I say, “Yeah, that’s our cooker too.” They apologise profusely, and we tell them they can use it, but it is common decency to ask first. The lady quickly finishes her eggs. How on earth would they think that a large pile of food, including a chilly bin and a $200 gas cooker and $200 pot is free to use, is beyond me. They must have been in NZ for 5min in a Jucy rental. The lady said the cooker in the rental doesn’t work in windy weather. We were nice about it, or should I say Jenna was nice about it. I was too shocked and slow to react.
The day is looking a lot more promising, we go up Mt Robert to see a view of the lake. Originally thinking we would head to another lake and spend another night in the area. With the weather a bit yucky, we pointed towards Kaikoura instead. This meant we needed to go back the way we came. When we reached Blenheim, we refuelled both our stomachs and the car. Germie wanted to go to the SPCA again and pick up an NZ Wool blanket. From Blenheim, we headed to Ward Beach. A beach none of us have been to. At the beach, there is a spot for self-contained campers. It is really windy on the beach, and we walk out to find the boulders.
From Ward Beach we headed to Kaikoura. Arriving around 5pm, I started looking up accommodation. The prices are insane. Maybe I am not used to a third person. One really gross place wanted to charge us $67 for a spot to pitch the tent. By now it was time to get some kai. Coopers fish and chips is a place Rowan and i have been to a few times and Jenna was recommended. The weather was foul about 11 degrees and lots of rain. With a unanimous decision to camp in Cheviot, we headed south. A rural setting and $45 for the night. It is also a lot closer to Motunau. A hot shower, and we feel a lot better. No love loss leaving Kaikoura, every time Jenna has been there it is raining.
It took us a while to pack up, there was a lot of gear all over the place and we had a lot of food to take with us. On the road and we op shop through Blenheim. We are looking for a coffee plunger, not one shop has what we are looking for. But we have lots of fun searching. We get some supplies at the supermarket and head to St Arnaud. We stay in the DOC site at Lake Rotoiti. The weather is just yuck and we set up camp as fast as possible. Rowan ends up cooking dinner early. I have been struggling with my phone for a few days, it is on its way out!
After dinner Rowan and I brave the rain and go swimming in the lake. We got a few strange looks in our underwear out in the rain. The water was cold but really lovely, I avoided getting my hair wet hoping to keep warm. Rowan got me to go back and get the phone for photos.
I didn’t feel cold until we sat around in the DOC cooking area to warm up. We ended up heading to bed early to get in our warm sleeping bags. Jenna wasn’t far off going to sleep herself.
Kiwi Hobos 