Making the most of the wilderness

DR ANDREW WOODHEAD, formerly of St Vincent’s in Melbourne, was coming to the end of a three-week locum on the West Coast at Te Nīkau Grey Hospital when the Bulletin visited. He loved it. “It’s an excellent work-life balance. A brand new hospital with friendly welcoming staff who provide great care. It’s a really enjoyable workplace.” Dr Woodhead did not waste a minute of his stint, getting off shift and on his bike to explore the whole of the famous West Coast Wilderness Trail. This is a series of tracks carved by pioneering gold rush miners, together with extensive water races, logging tramways and short length railway lines. Dr Woodhead did parts of the 120-kilometre trail in all weathers over the time he was locuming. When he could not do one week down south, his colleague, Dr David Choi of Middlemore filled in. He also fell for the wild and wonderful West Coast exploring some of the many outdoor adventures it has to offer.