Explore Buller

Explore West Coast Buller 2022/2023

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE FROM ROOM REMOVAL FROM ROOM WILL INCUR A CHARGE www.greystar.co.nz/explore

Acknowledgements

Cover, inside cover & more - Photo Credit: Neil Silverwood Thanks to Sheree Cargill Photography, Charles Brunning, Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ and Amy Bennie for their photographs.

Booklet designed and produced by James Print, Greymouth

(see page 45)

Please contact Terry Gee explore@jamesprint.co.nz re 2023's annual publication (See outside back page)

B

Welcome to Westport It is my pleasure to welcome you to Buller Our district is very fortunate to have an excellent mix of natural beauty, great community facilities, an innovative business community and a positive and diverse people.

If you are holidaying make sure you check out the relaxing activities available. Our cycle and walking tracks are great to explore, there are options that take in bushland, rivers, coastline and historical sites, many have all of these in one! If the weather means an indoor day is called for, then check out the independent retailers and cafes along the main streets of Westport and Reefton or head to the movies in either town.

A visit to Coal Town museum in Westport or the other

smaller museums across the district will satisfy the history buffs or the Pulse Energy Recreation Centre for a swim or gym session for the more energetic. A trip to Northern Buller and Karamea is a great way to relax as you check out our unspoilt beaches, local arts and the world famous Oparara Arches.

I lead a district that is striving to be positive and proactive for the future. We like to work in partnership and collaborate on opportunities that will increase our economic diversity, grow our people and ensure we are well equipped to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

All of this creates opportunities for innovative and forward thinking people to identify the inherent potential we have here. We have good internet connectivity, fast air links to Wellington and reliable freight transport options as well as affordable realestate. Couple all of this with a great lifestyle, why not take a bold step and make Buller your home, we’d love to have you.

Jamie Cleine Buller District Mayor

Photo: Charles Brunning

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The many places of Buller Region SOUTH BOUNDARY GOING NORTH • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Punakaiki River Punakaiki village Porarai River & Lagoon Bullock Creek Truman Track Irimahuwhero Lookout Bay & Lookout Meybille Bay Hatters Bay Motukotuku Point Maungahura Point Bessons Dam Pahautane Kaipakati Seal Island Fox River Woodpecker Bay Whitehorse Bay Tiromoana Tiropahi/Four Mile River Needle Point Charleston Constant & Joyce Bays Mitchells Gully Waitakere / nine mile river

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Awakari River Madmans creek Little Totara River Nine Mile beach Totara River Okari River Totara River Bird Ferry Road Virgin Flat road Okari River Addisons Caroline Terrace Westport Buller River

SOUTH OF WESTPORT • Bradshaw Quarry • Carters Beach • Cape Foulwind Lighthouse & Walkway • Giants tooth • Three Steeples • Black Reef • Seal Colony • Tauranga Bay

NORTH OF WESTPORT • M.V. Kaitawa Memorial

Photo: Charles Brunning

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Buller River North Tip head Kawatiri Beach Reserve Orowaiti Lagoon Organs Island TE KUHA S.F. Seargents Hill Fairdown Lake Rochfort Whareatea River Waimangaroa & River Rocky Plateau Conns Creek Denniston Mt William Range Cascade Creek Jones Creek Birchfield Mt Augustus Kerrs Crossing Millerton Granity Chair Rock Stockton Burma Road Arial Robeway Ngakawau & River & Gorge Charming Creek Walkway Ratcliff Road, Ngakawau • Mangatini Wateralls, Stockton • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hector Miko Kikau Summerlea Waimarie Mokihinui & River Seddonvile Station Gentle Annie Point Gentle Annie Point Maze & Lookout Mokihinui 7891 Seddonville Mokihinui Road, Seddonville 7891 Grenadier Rocks Kilmarnock Kongahu Point Old Man Point Sand Creek Corbyvale Mt O’Connor Te Namu Lake Hanlon Little Wanganui & River Blue Duck road Kongahu Granite Creek on R Maori Point Arapito opposite Umere Market Cross Karamea & River

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Oparara River Butterfly Creek Burn Kohaihai River & Bluff Swan Burn Katipo Creek Mid Point Mt Barr Mt Ross Charlies Flag Steep Point Big Bay Rocks Point Tauparikaka Point Otujoroiti Point Kahurangi Point & River Wekakara Creek Heaphy River & Bluff Whakapoai Point Kotaipupa Point Wekaura point IWITUAROA RANGE Lewis hut Otepo Hut Mt Teddy

INLAND FROM SOUTH UP • Ikamatua • Hukarere

• • • • • •

Waimaunga Mawheraiti 7871 Little Grey River Mawheraiti Maimai Reefton

TO THE WEST • Waitahu River • Cronadun • Kirwans Track Boatmans Rd, West Coast • Awarau River • Rotokohu, Larrys Creek • Inangahua River (Landing) Bridge, Inangahua • Turn right at Inangahua Junction, Inangahua • Iron Bridge Upper Buller Gorge Road, Inangahua • Lyell Camping Ground Buller Gorge, Inangahua • The Old Ghost Rd, Inangahua Do you have a story to tell of this area? Write to explore@jamesprint. co.nz for next years annual compendium

Driving Distances

Photo: Charles Brunning

HEADING NORTH

KM

APPROX DRIVE TIME

Westport to Granity

28.2

21 mins

3

3 mins

Granity to Ngakawau Ngakawau to Karamea

64.4

1 hr

HEADING SOUTH

KM

APPROX DRIVE TIME

Westport to Punakaiki

56.1

50 mins

Punakaiki to Greymouth

44.6

38 mins

Greymouth to Hokitika

39.2

33 mins

HEADING SOUTH EAST

KM

APPROX DRIVE TIME

Westport to Reefton (via Buller Gorge)

78.8

1 hr 2 mins

Reefton to Murchison

84.5

1 hr 8 mins

HEADING WEST

KM

APPROX DRIVE TIME

Westport to Denniston

24.6

26 mins WalksPamphletComplete-V1.indd 1

6/12/2017 10:39:33 AM

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Karamea - The end of the road

Photo: Bailey Wilson

NORTHERN BULLER Karamea is the northernmost town of the West Coast. It’s where the road ends and the Heaphy Track begins.

Karamea and Wellington are on two different islands but due to the positioning of the North and South Island, these two areas are pretty much in line with each other.

Golden sand beaches, amber water running through the creeks and rivers resembling the colour of beer makes Karamea very unique compared to the rest of the West Coast.

Not to mention the abundance of nikau palms in the area. It’s every photographer’s dream.

Karamea is a secluded natural haven which features the largest limestone arch in New Zealand. Its roof rises over 40 metres above the river. A local urban legend suggests a plane once flew through the Arch. Although this is untrue, it gives an idea of its sheer size. The dramatic scenery gives some parts of the area

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a Jurassic feel. If the imagination was left to wander, you would swear there was a dinosaur waiting for you around the next corner. The mystical ambience of the area would make it the ideal filming location for any movie producer enthusiast.

In fact the Kahurangi National Park was a location for Dimrill Dale and the outcrop south of Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. While on many of the walks within the area, you are likely to spot numerous native birds. Look out for the New Zealand Robin.

Birds love the disturbance of the ground as you walk. This is what brings their tucker (bugs) out of their hiding places and to the surface. They will fly

and dance around you and if you’re lucky they may also land on your shoulder.

SPEND ANOTHER DAY IN KARAMEA Karamea has a relaxed ‘off the beaten track’ feel. The area is a natural wonderland, with the beginning or end of the famous Heaphy, Wangapeka & Karamea-Leslie Tracks and the Oparara Basin with the Honeycomb Hill Caves & Limestone Arches in the Kahurangi National Park.

Karamea is a secluded haven, situated between the mountains and the sea, on the river flats of the Karamea River and the coastal plains. Snuggled into the warm northwest corner of the South Island, it caters for the tramper and caver, birdwatcher and botanist, geologist and mountainbiker, hunter and

Oparara Arch This spectacular arch is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the scale of it is difficult to comprehend from the ground.

fisherman, the more adventurous kayaker and rafter… or simply those seeking a family holiday ‘away from it all.’

Karamea is the gateway to the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and also the Wangapeka and Karamea-Leslie Tracks for the more adventurous. The scenery here is simply spectacular, from the lush rainforest bristling with tall nikau palms to the largest limestone arches in the Southern Hemisphere.

You could be tempted to raft an exhilarating Grade 4/5 wild river or check out a heritage cave littered with the fossilised remains of extinct birds.

Gibson Beach - Cape Foulwind

Cape Foulwind was named by Captain Cook in 1770 when he encountered particularly nasty weather. However to the contrary, the Cape is a pleasant place to visit.

Fur Seals

- at Tauranga Bay One of New Zealand’s most accessible seal colonies can be found just out of Westport on the edge of Tauranga Bay. The 10 -minute track from the car park is suitable for wheelchairs and leads to viewing platforms directly overlooking the colony. Although this is a year-round colony, the best time to view is October to March when the BIG BULL SEALS return to mate and the pups are at their most playful.

The full track on to Cape Foulwind takes one-and-a-half hours (three hours return) and is well graded as it crosses rocky granite bluffs, grassy downs, swampy streams and sandy beaches. Be sure to take good windproof clothing if it’s windy.

The walk offers panoramic views of the cape and rugged coastline including rock stacks and steeples. A side track leads to Cape Foulwind lighthouse.

If you’ve got some surfing enthusiasts in your group, some of the best surfing on the Coast is right here, at the Southern end of Tauranga Bay. Tauranga Bay car park has picnic tables, great toilet facilities, and a beautiful beach to play on. It has story boards about the wildlife, history and environment. Watch out for Weka birds (native flightless Bush Hens). They are curious, always up for stealing your lunch, and not afraid of people. If you don’t watch out, they’ll grab your muffin!

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The joy of surfing I began surfing at 16 and it changed my life.

Being in the sea.

Being in the water, back to the womb, held, nursed, carried by the sea, Floating, swimming, diving, jumping, running in and out.

Energy/ ions, mineral bath, movement by rips and currents, feelings under water, under waves, over waves, floating.

Physical workout, walking, walking, hopping, jumping over waves, diving through, under or over waves, letting waves take you, feeling energy and movement.

Body surfing, surfing, gliding with the wave, Swimming out, paddling out and gliding in with the wave, Walking, swimming, running.

Using muscles and body parts, fitness, exercise, Using the brain, taking control of the brain, Being in the moment, focus on the present.

Feeling joy, pleasure, release, relaxing.

Back to work!

During the winter months Mark

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works with the Canterbury Scholastics Surf Team in Christchurch as one of the coaches that prepares and trains the Team for the National Scholastics Surfing Competition which is held during October at a different location in New Zealand each year, all coaches and committee members work as volunteers.

I enjoy the joy of giving back to the sport that changed my life.

I work with feelings, creating feelings and understanding what and how to move body parts to be able to enjoy the sea.

Tauranga Bay is a great place for all surfers, beginners, intermediate and advanced.

West Coast Surf 027 255 2651 or 03 789 5408 wcsurf@xtra.co.nz Mark Perana and Leeann Hill PO Box 393 Westport www.wcsurf.co.nz

Disconnect to

West Coast Penguins

Reconnect I have been working as a Naturopath and massage Therapist in the Buller for the past 22 years.

I was born in Westport, and I love the West Coast it is my home.

I love all my clients, those I see regularly and all the folk I have met along the way, it is a true privilege to be able to help someone on their journey to wellness and be a part of the change.

We are so blessed that our beautiful West Coast enables natural healing for people just by being in the environment.

It is a place where we can reconnect to ourselves and to all other elements we live amongst, ground ourselves with bare feet in the sand and surf, breath the fresh air in the bush, sit and be in nature, hear the birds, watch the sunrises and sunsets, all of these things are really important to

our well being and sometimes when we are lost in our busy lives we forget to enjoy them.

I also love that there are places still on our coast where technology doesn’t work, as frustrating as that is for people it is also important to disconnect from our phones and the constant demands they place on us, it is a difficult thing for some people, who ever thought that would be a problem, but the slower pace of life the West Coast brings to people reminds us just to sit and read a book instead.

My clinic is based at home in a specific built room just for healing, the bush is just outside, and Tauranga Bay is only 900 meters away, so any treatment is enhanced by the environment you are being treated in. And that, to me, makes it even more special.

Leeann Hill - ND - Holistic Healthcare Provider m 0274904945 e leeann@hillistic.co.nz 299 Tauranga Bay Rd, Cape Foulwind, Westport, 7892 | www.hillistic.co.nz

Blue penguin (Photo: R Long)

Fiordland crested penguin (Photo: I Perkins)

The West Coast is renowned for its coastline and West Coasters are happy, honoured and privileged to share many parts of the coast with penguins, who of course arrived here millions of years before they did. Apart from penguin footprints in the freshly washed sand that you might see during an early morning walk, penguins are rarely seen.

Little penguins (also known as blue penguins or kororā) cross the beaches under the cover of darkness, heading out to feed or gather food for their chicks before dawn and returning after dark. Fiordland crested penguins or tawaki may be seen at a couple of coastal locations in South Westland in the afternoon, but again, they are a secretive bird and rarely seen.

The Trust has established that penguins are threatened by humans, firstly in their vehicles on the coast roads and secondly when they allow their dogs to roam in coastal areas.

The West Coast Penguin Trust, established in 2006, looks out for penguins, conducts research and implements practical projects such as penguin protection fences (you might notice them north of Punakaiki and north of Hokitika), awareness signage at beach access points, and an education programme with local schools.

As a visitor, you can help! If you’re driving after dark on coast roads, you could slow down a little and keep a look out for a penguin as you drive. A little less speed may give you time to avoid one if it is on the road, which, although rare, is possible. If you have brought your dog with you to enjoy the area, keep it under close control at all times and on a lead in coastal vegetation and on the beach after dark.

You can of course help the West Coast Penguin Trust continue to conserve penguins and the coastal habitat with a donation. Thank you! www.westcoastpenguintrust.org.nz/ donate/ INGER PERKINS Manager, West Coast Penguin Trust 03 755 8600 or 027 370 1876

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Walks in Buller

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay This picturesque spot is noted for its rocky shoreline and wide sandy beaches.

The DOC track to the seal colony is a short easy walk to the viewing point, which provides intimate access to the large fur seal breeding colony.

Britannia Track (north of Westport) Just north of Waimangaroa township, the Britannia Track offers a gently graded bush walk on an old pack track inland to a former mine site.

Chasm Creek (north of Westport) On the way to Seddonville the Chasm Creek walk offers a family-friendly stroll through an old railway tunnel with glow worms.

Charming Creek Walk (north of Westport) Ngakawau is the starting point for the popular Charming Creek walk, a 10km jaunt up the spectacular Ngakawau River

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Hotspots

Pulse energy centre

Coaltown

Take a refreshing dip at the Pulse Energy Centre in the 25m 8-lane lap pool or relax in the hydrotherapy pool (Water temp sits around 31.5 degrees with an easy access ramp). The Leisure/ Toddlers pool will ensure all your aquatic needs are taken care of.

Make sure a visit to Coaltown is on your itinerary. Coaltown documents the rich industrial heritage of the town and district. It offers a great insight and encapsulates what life was like in Westport and other historic towns such as Denniston, Stockton and Millerton were in the late 19th and 20th century.

NBS Theatre Photo: Don Parish Pics NZ

gorge, which includes bridges, waterfalls and former sawmilling and mining sites.

Cliff Top Cape Foulwind Walkway A moderately graded day walk which winds its way north towards The Steeples.

Millennium and Kawatiri Walkways Check out the Millennium and Kawatiri walkways. These are easy river and harbourside walks within five minutes’ walk of the town centre and traverse more than 2km from the Westport Domain by the Buller Bridge to North Beach and the Buller River tiphead.

Relax in the local cinema.

The NBS Theatre screens 7 days a week with Hollywood blockbusters, 3D movies, arthouse films and so much more.

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

Hidden Gems DENNISTON

The Denniston Plateau offers walks, history and spectacular views.

Denniston and the nearby ghost towns of Coalbrookdale and Burnetts Face, in their heyday housed over 2500 people, with coalmining the only employment and residents virtually cut off from the outside world.

The twisting road 7km to the top in itself offers spectacular coastal views.

‘Must sees’ include the old Coalbrookdale 9

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

Photo: Charles Brunning

rope road, which is a pleasant 30-minute walk and the famous Denniston Incline. A technical triumph that must be seen to be believed. With a vertical fall over 830 feet.

NGAKAWAU

BULLER GORGE

At Ngakawau and Hector the rare Hector’s dolphins can sometimes be seen from the beach.

Granity

STOCKTON

Head north to the seaside settlement of Granity with its spectacular coastal setting. .

The Torea Gallery offers local art, and Granity also boasts a museum and nursery operated by community volunteers.

Stockton is New Zealand’s largest opencast coalmine. There are some good viewing points back to the coast from the fringes of the site, while visitors can see the mine activity itself by taking a tour with Outwest Tours.

The road through the Buller Gorge takes the traveller over 70km inland towards Murchison.

Features along the way include Hawks Crag — where the narrow road squeezes through hewn rock — river views and picnic spots, spectacular scenery and fishing opportunities.

The Buller Gorge is also home to the longest swingbridge (At 110m long, the Swingbridge is an experience in itself. Take beautiful photos of the mighty Buller River.)

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Stress less by surfing Improving community wellbeing through physical activity Sport Tasman has a long association with the Buller region and currently is heavily focused on developing quality opportunities for young people throughout the region.

Perhaps our most significant current area of work is Youth Voice Kawatiri (https:// www.facebook.com/youthvoicebuller).

Sport Tasman helped establish and continues to support this group through initiatives that encourage the youth to embrace their leadership skills and speak up about their future in Buller, while coproducing great experiences and events for local rangatahi and community alike.

Another great initiative by Sport Tasman is RARA (Regional Active Recreation), which aims to provide opportunities for rangatahi to connect with the environment and Māori culture, and to enhance wellbeing, all while being active in the beautiful outdoors. It once again puts rangatahi at the heart of the decision making. Local Sport Tasman advisor Kylie Carlson acts as a co-ordinator to support initiatives that are created by the youths themselves. “This locally led approach results in better engagement and more opportunities for rangatahi to get active and has a positive long-term impact 10

on the Buller community,” says Kylie.

Sport Tasman partners with many key organisations to make these youth initiatives work well, including Sport New Zealand, RĀTĀ Foundation, New Zealand Red Cross, and locally works closely with the Homebuilders West Coast Trust and Buller Recreation.

A recent addition to Sport Tasman’s mahi in Buller is Healthy Active Learning (HAL) – a new initiative designed to provide quality physical activity experiences for tamariki.

HAL is a four-way partnership between Sport Tasman, Sport NZ, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education. Sport Tasman’s Joey Keen has been recently appointed to establish this new initiative which includes seven local Buller schools.

Outside of these three great programmes, Sport Tasman supports the Buller Region with regular funding to community organisations through Tū Manawa and is also delighted to work on a range of community programmes and events. These include Top Team and Muddy Buddy, an adventure run for the whole family at the Orowaiti estuary. For more information about Sport Tasman please visit https:// www.sporttasman.org.nz/.

Come surfing with Bazils hostel and surf school in Westport and wash the stresses of everyday life away.

5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF SURFING

Why do I feel so good after surfing?

1 CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk from suffering or dying from heartrelated problems. ...

It is also responsible for that stoke you experience during and after a surf session.

Endorphins – These feel-good chemicals are often referred to as the body’s natural painkillers, masking pain and discomfort, and helping you power through any situation.

Release of endorphins is also linked to a state of euphoria.

2 STRESS RELIEF. There is no better way to relax body and soul than to go for a surf. ...

3 IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY. ...

4 MUSCLE TONE. ...

5 SELF GRATIFICATION. 54 Russel st Westport NZ 037896410

Join us in a beach clean up.

www.bazils.com

Denniston Take a drive to witness these spectacular views and take in the history of Denniston.

TIP: Call into Coaltown before or after your visit to Denniston to fully appreciate the history of this area.

Photo: Charles Brunn

ing

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

Mangatini Falls

Spotted a Kiwi?

Mangatini Falls is reached by a gorgeous 1-hour walk which offers unbelievable views of the Ngakawau Gorge and river, follows an old railway formation, goes through lots of tunnels, and accompanied by waterfalls.

Extreme power and remote location make this waterfall one of New Zealand’s must see Waterfalls.

Chances are you most likely saw an Imposter! Meet our cheeky New Zealand Resident…. The WEKA The weka is one of New Zealand’s iconic large flightless birds.

There are many differences between the Weka and the Kiwi, a good general rule of thumb is that if you spotted it during the day….

It was a WEKA! Kiwi’s are nocturnal animals.

Photos: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

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The Old Ghost Road

D ROAD

ntry

Mountainbikers and trampers in search of the ultimate back-country adventure need look no further than The Old Ghost Road. Quickly becoming known as a ‘bucket-list’ attraction, New Zealand’s longest single-track resurrects an old gold miners’ route between the ghost town of Lyell in the Buller Gorge and Seddonville on the West Coast.

While not for the faint-of-heart or inexperienced, if you match your capability and prepare appropriately, The Old Ghost Road will reward

the fit and experienced adventurer with a premier multi-day backcountry experience.

To broaden the audience and to make the trail more accessible to a range of appetites, a set of new exciting packages – Old Ghost Adventures – has been created. Visit the official website for more details.

ly st’ st ld

and

r

tely, the with

make ge g es 12

Photos: Amy Bennie

www.oldghostroad.org.nz � The Adventure HQ, 193 Palmerston Street, Westport � info@oldghostroad.org.nz

Vibrant West Coast

Vibrant West Coast, includes New Coasters, our space called CoRe which can be booked by groups for a koha, and Volunteer West Coast. Our vision is supporting vibrant, multicultural, interconnected West Coast communities.

Our purpose is help to build a strong inclusive community through embracing diversity, encouraging participation and developing connectedness.

To achieve this we host potlucks, coffee mornings, get together sessions, informative talks and Community Link workshops. We also welcome everyone not just those new to the coast. Hence the change in name to

Vibrant West Coast.

New Coasters is also now a member of Multicultural New Zealand and with their support we now have Te Tai Poutini (West Coast) Multicultural Council on the West Coast. In this role we have provided assistance with the relief efforts in the Buller region during the recent floods.

Our AGM will be held in September.

Cilla Raruve is our New Coasters Coordinator and member of Te Tai Poutini (WC) Multicultural Council in the Buller region and she has been the main support person for migrant communities affected by the flooding.

9 am - 4.30 pm everyday 9 am - 4.30 pm Week Days 10 am - 4.00 pm Weekends

Adults $10 Seniors $8.00 Children $2 (5-16) Pre School Free

supporting vibrant, multicultural, interconnected West Coast communities

Westport Newcomers Network Cilla Raruve - Coordinator

P 0211282575 E westport@newcomers.co.nz

w w w.newcoasters.core.org.nz

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Spend another day in Buller...

Do the Heritage Trail, visiting our Pioneering past

Coaltown Museum A fantastic all weather experience and a great launching pad for exploring the Buller district.

Coaltown is dedicated to telling the stories of Pioneers who battled the rugged environment in search of a better life.

On May 24th 1968 at 5.24 am the second biggest land based earthquake in New Zealand history struck the West Coast of the South Island creating chaos and destruction. The Inangahua Earthquake Museum is a great place to gain insight on this historic event.

Inangahua Earthquake Museum 14

Granity Museum Located in Northern Buller next to historic coke ovens from the early twentieth century, Granity Museum holds historical photographs of nearby towns and settlements, as well as old mining and sawmilling photos.

Historic exhibitions of everyday facilities from days gone by and interesting memoriabilia are on display.

Karamea Pioneers Museum

START

Granity Museum

Coaltown Museum

The Karamea Pioneers Museum This rural museum holds an absorbing collection of photographs and exhibits on sawmilling, dairying, gold mining, flax milling and shipping.There’s an intriguing array of local memorabilia and artefacts which represent the decades over these last 140 years since the early settlers from Britain arrived in Karamea.

OPEN ON APPOINTMENT ONLY: -Stratfords Tractor Museum -Westport Railway Society Museum

Inangahua Earthquake Museum

The Blacks Point Museum Found at the quiet village of Blacks Point, 2km east of Reefton, and inside a 145 year old Wesleyan Church, you will discover a variable treasure trove of local history. Our Museum holds an eclectic range of artifacts, all donated by local people, covering the various range of local industries and livelihoods of the people in the lived in the Inangahua Area.

Explore the gold mining history of the Inangahua, the lives of the miners and their families that travelled halfway around the world in search of new opportunities. With our displays and

models you can visualize the sheer amount of (often fatal) work the miners had to undertake in retrieving the precious metal.

On display too is the lives of the people that lived here, their workplaces, the stores and pubs they frequented, and the various societies they belonged too. At our museum you truly get up and close to the world your ancestors lived in.

The Blacks Point Museum is open on Wednesday to Sunday. If you have any enquiries please contact the museum at reeftonhistory@gmail.com.

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Reefton Visitor Centre

This is not your ordinary Visitor Centre!

Come in to see us and learn about the Story of Reefton. Check out our history of Gold and Coal mining, not to mention being the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to have a commercial reticulated electricity supply. It really is quite an experience to see what we have to offer. You can walk through our replica underground mine as well as watch some locally relevant movies. We can give you information about what’s happening in Reefton and about our awesome walk and bike tracks,

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there’s something for everyone, from the beginner to the very experienced biker or hiker. Want to know more?? Contact the Reefton Visitor Centre on 03 7328391, email us at rvcinfo@xtra.co.nz, or simply check out our website www.reefton.co.nz.

We are at 67-69 Broadway Reefton. Our summer opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm, Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm and Sunday 10.00am – 3.00pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Photo: Nimmo Photography

From River

To Plate

Gorge

A West Coast Delicacy Described by some on the West Coast as a religion, whitebaiting is a pastime which consumes many fishermen each spring.

Whitebait – tiny, transparent creatures found navigating streams only in spring – are the young of some of New Zealand’s precious native fish.

Standing riverside in any weather with a big scoop net is a passion for many who live on the Coast.

There are many theories on what makes whitebait ‘run’ in sometimes massive shoals, but no one knows for sure.

Have a yarn with a whitebaiter on the riverbank in spring, or try the delicacy at a local café or restaurant.

Whitebait is often on the menu in season at many restaurants.

Photo: Nimmo Photography

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Rotary Supports Flood Recovery

Rotarians from around the top half of the South Island have joined to help turn houses into homes for several families and individuals displaced following last year’s Westport flood.

Supported by a Rotary flood recovery fund contributed to

by Rotary clubs from around the country, particularly from District 9970, which covers the top half of the South Island, the families and an individual have been able to move out of temporary accommodation into new homes, complete with furniture. Several other people have been able to return to restored homes.

Late last year five Government houses, some of them relocated from Twizel and Kaikoura, were moved to Westport and established in Stafford Street, along with three new homes in Queen Street. Rotarians from various clubs gave 500 hours of voluntary time to repaint the interiors of four of the five Stafford Street houses and installed kitchens into six of the houses. Rotary then agreed to supply those selected to move into the houses with good quality second hand furniture to replace the furniture they had lost in the flood.

In Nelson, Whakatū Rotary’s Bill Wagstaff worked with Habitat for Humanity’s Nelson ReStore assistant manager, Mandy Silcock, to fill furniture inventories for each house. As a result, furniture including beds to suit the eventual occupants, dining and lounge suites, coffee tables, wardrobes and chests of drawers, was selected and bought for all six houses.

The first two house-lots of furniture, funded by flood relief funds raised by Lions Club District 202E (the Upper South Island and West Coast) were

delivered to the Queen Street properties on 15 March by Malcolm Currie of Motueka Rotary. Last Monday (NB 28 March) Man and a Van delivered to Stafford Street four house-lots of furniture bought by the Rotary fund to four.

Those assisted by Rotarians were identified as needing help by Buller District Council navigators, and the council’s Social Liaison officer Janis Lennon has been co-ordinating with Rotary to secure the help and support needed.

Most recipients were uninsured, under-insured or had an insurance claim declined.

A Rotary Westport Flood Relief Fund established in the wake of the flood last year, and administered through Westport

Rotary and its president Peter Campbell, raised more than $82,500. This has so far supported five flood recoveryrelated projects in the town in which Rotarians from clubs across the West Coast, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough and Canterbury regions have provided hands on help with.

Late last year, Diana Wilkins of Nelson’s Richmond Rotary headed a project that saw 540 hours of volunteer Rotary hours given to help Shop Zero in Palmerston Street catalogue, sort and box clothing and furnishings to offer freely to flood victims. The fund also allowed a large, displaced family to have a weekend’s respite at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp.

Over the last couple of months teams of Rotarians from various clubs led by Blenheim South Rotarian Neville White have given nearly 1,500 hours of volunteer time to make repairs to six houses badly damaged in the flood, so enabling occupants to safely return.

Past Rotary District 9970 Governor Gary Hopkinson (Greymouth Rotary), who has been co-ordinating the projects, said everyone deserved to have somewhere they can call home and Rotary was pleased to be able to assist the Westport community by helping some flood victims who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks.

“It is wonderful to see them move out of temporary accommodation and back into their homes or into new houses.

This is a heart-warming project for Rotarians to be involved in and we have been pleased to work with other community organisations like Habitat for Humanity and ReStore, and Lions to achieve this.”

MEETS AT CLUB BULLER 44 QUEEN STREET Thursdays 6pm For further information, contact President Peter Campbell at 027 4348157; peterc@bizaccounting.co.nz 19

It’s the passengers we meet on our path that make the journey worthwhile

‘Driven with passion’

PortSide Bistro majors on food that you love to eat, prepared with a touch of extra class and attention to detail. We like to think we have it all!

Full breakfast, lunch and evening menus are available, with everything made from scratch by our passionate kitchen team.

• Fully licensed bar with a great range of beer, wine, spirits and cocktails • Great coffee, slices, muffins, scones, cookies and cakes made fresh daily • Weekly changing specials wall including fresh fish served 2 ways • Free wifi • Friendly, attentive, professional service We have a range of exciting specials, including our famous Fish ‘n’ Chip Friday for just $22 with a drink, Bistro Burger Thursdays, Weekend Breakfast specials and much more.

OPEN HOURS:CLOSED CLOSEDMONDAY, MONDAY,Tuesday Tuesday – Friday 11am-8pm, OPEN HOURS: – Friday 11am – 8pm, Saturday 9am-Late, Sunday 9am-Late Saturday 9am – Late, Sunday 9am – 2pm Check out our website for our menu: www.portsidebistro.co.nz P: (03) 789 7133 E: enquiries@portsidebistro.co.nz Corner of Cobden & Palmerston Streets, at the Port end of Town 20

• • • •

Loyalty Card Airport Transfers Acc approved Charters

• • • •

SuperGold Card Discount Mobility Van Mobility Vouchers Bike Transfer

BULLER TAXIS

03 789 6900 OPERATING FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Hours: Sun to Thur 8am - 10pm, Fri and Sat 8am - late. After hours by request.

Photo Patch Ltd & Sheree Cargill Photography 137 Palmerston Street, Westport, 7825 Cell: 0212287807 Shop: 03 7898877 shereecargillphotography@gmail.com

shereecargillphotography.co.nz

21

Property Brokers NEW WORLD WESTPORT Service with a smile

Property Brokers Real Estate stand proud as one of New Zealand’s major community sponsors and this is no more evident than in the Buller. For many years Property Brokers and before it, Buller Real Estate, have supported numerous community orginisations throughout the district, ranging from various child support groups to large public events. The benefactors are many, and include among them Heart Kids NZ, Brain Injury NZ, Kiwi kids triathlon, Muddy Buddy, Wearable Arts, Old Ghost Road Ultra, Buller Marathon, Karamea Golf Club, Reefton Rugby, Buller Rugby, Westport and Reefton Trotting clubs plus many, many more and are always appreciative of our support, as we are of theirs. We see this as our duty and are not focused on any benefit as a result, seeing ourselves as an integral part of the communities we live in. We will continue with this proud heritage as long as there are needy in the community and look forward to joining you in the journey should you decide to make the move to Paradise.

Regards Charlie Elley Branch Manager PB Buller

244 Palmerston Street, Westport Phone: 03 789 7669

Open 7 Days 8am - 8.30pm 22

Proud to be on the West Coast.

Property Brokers is the leading Real Estate company for the West Coast Region.

If you are interested in buying a piece of paradise contact us today.

Hokitika 22 Weld Street 03 280 9612 hokitika@pb.co.nz

Greymouth 33 Tainui Street 03 768 7145 greymouth@pb.co.nz

Westport 132 Palmerston Street 03 789 8777 westport@pb.co.nz

Reefton 50 Broadway 03 928 3931 reefton@pb.co.nz

pb.co.nz Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 PB059368

23

Archer House

Westport’s historic home of opulence

37 Domett Street Westport (part of the Westport Holiday Park & Motels Complex 31-37 Domett Street)

P: 03 789 7043

24

First established in 1890 as the home of opulence for prosperous grocer Robert Taylor and his wife Ellan, who came from the goldfields of Charleston after its rapid demise to the then bustling port town of Westport. Supplying essential services to the many ships frequenting the harbour for its coal, timber, and gold then used to build a growing nation.

The Heritage trust report says 75 Queen Street is a magnificent home in contrast to the modest dwellings which are more commonly found in provincial towns like Westport. It nevertheless demonstrates the degree of wealth that could be attained by business people like Robert Taylor in the heyday of a town based on extractive industries.

In 1905 the home was rebuilt after a disastrous fire. Again replacing its most distinctive interior features of stained and led glass and leather dados in the drawingroom and hallway. These complement the ornate fireplace in the drawing-room and stained wood that feature throughout the house, specially imported from England, giving substance to its category one heritage listing.

Set within the more oversized stained glass windows are hand-painted illustrations of different English birds. In contrast, the hall

door bears an English cottage scene at its centre.

After Robert Taylor’s death in 1914, his home was passed to his second wife, Cecelia. After she remarried, the house was sold to the local Roman Catholic Convent in 1947. The sisters of Mercy leased the home for many years before occupying it themselves for a short time after the 1968 earthquake.

Modifications were made to the house in 1968 and again in 1984. The first involved subdividing the master bedroom to create a bathroom. In 1984 a conservatory was erected at the rear of the house, altered by Greymouth architect Gary Hopkinson to allow for a more formal dining and kitchen area.

The Sisters finally sold the house to local businessman Paul Archer in 1981, who operates it as a boutique guesthouse.

Mr Archer said restoring it to its former glory was a labour of love, and it gobbled money. “It had been rented for 50 years. I lived there for 20 years, restoring it to its former glory. It has such wonderful bones.”

Despite the work and the money, he never resented the house. “Loved it just as much today as I did in the 1980s. This unique B&B is marked by only 12 other high-end providers around the country.

westport Westport’s leading jewellery store providing traditional and unique pieces for all occasions from everyday accessories to fine gold & diamond jewellery.

View our personally curated selection in store.

Our services include: Jewellery & Watch Repairs Watch Batteries - Engraving - Care & Cleaning

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174 Palmerston St, Westport Phone (03) 789-8630 www.heritagejewellers.co.nz 25

Shortjaw Brewing is a new team in an old brewery.

In 2021 they took over the old West Coast Brewery (Miner’s Brewery) in Westport, New Zealand. Since then it’s been all about revitalising the 30 year old equipment, with new recipes and a new approach.

It was founded by beer writer and author Luke Robertson; along with his partner, designer and art director Emma Bemrose. The duo saved the brewery from liquidation and moved back to Westport (Luke’s hometown) from Melbourne during the middle of the COVID pandemic. They wanted to make sure one of NZs oldest operating breweries wasn’t lost to history.

Their aim has been simple: to create a brewery and taproom that speaks to locals first. Right in the centre of town, it’s a West Coast icon that has served the town for decades, they knew that to lose it would have been heartbreaking for locals and visitors alike.

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The beers on offer feature its three corerange beers: Clear Sky Pils, Breezy Pale, and Kiwi Dark Lager. Each is made with malt and hops sourced entirely from the South Island. Plus there is an always rotating range of small batch and one-off beers pouring at the taproom including seasonal highlights like the Hot Cross Bun beer (made in collaboration with Rainbow Cake Kitchen), and a wintertime Double Dark Lager. The beers take influence from global brewing trends. as much as they do historical beers, but always with their own spin. You can try a tasting paddle to explore the range, or just settle in with a large glass of your favourite.

The outside tables are perfect for a pint on a sunny afternoon.

Outside of their own beer, you’ll always find guest beers on tap, highlighting other great breweries from around New Zealand. The ontap offering also extends to wine. Pouring from the tap ensures the wine is always fresh, delicious and reduces glass wastage that normally comes with bottled wine. Plus great NZ made cider, soft drinks and the occasional cocktail or spirit special.

And if all this is making you a bit hungry, a Fancy Cheese toasty, and garlic bread are on offer to soak it all up.

The entire offering is designed to create something unique, unexpected, but also to create an environment that is friendly and welcoming for everyone.

Proudly brewed in Westport, NZ.

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The NBS Theatre is Buller’s Premier entertainment venue, with 2 cinemas and a 360 seat auditorium for live events and is located centrally on Palmerston Street. is state of the art and features 3D and the Fred Gregory Screen Room has 22 seats.

The NBS Theatre screens 7 days a week with Hollywood blockbusters, 3D movies, arthouse films and heaps more.

Check out our FB page or head to movies and screening times or call us on

03 789 4219 28

Alex has fun in the rain.

Photo credit: Sam

Golden Hope Hotel When the river took the pubs away

By Vaughan Brett

Such small drops shall drip To tumble down from high They will fall to the river from the dark cloudy sky The rain so heavy it could be cut with a saw The river reborn And the beast will now roar The Buller is hungry And it must run through It will come for Westport And there is nothing they can do For it is the flood of 1872 And Westport will shortly see That its buildings are now boats That wait for the sea Like a bad drunk the river appeared It smashed up the bakery And nothing was spared An expert vandal with beer to find It grins at the pubs that wait in a line The publican Fred luff sits in one He knows his day is nearly done His next customer will not be fun

For around the Golden Hope Hotel The brown water begins to swell Last drinks were called at the bar For Fred this river has gone to far To steal a drink he can take But to steal his pub is a big mistake He waved his fist in the air But such a river will not care With such ease did the pub set sail Poor Fred could only wail He and his family made for the door And got to safety on the shore Into the river Fred’s hotel did go With two other pubs now in tow The National and The Waterloo Three fine pubs that is true The river will push them on their way And more pubs will follow on that day Captain Riley was on his boat And he watched the pubs start to float He was amazed as they drifted by He knew them well with a tear in his eye

A quiet salute was all he could do But then alarm from his crew For all the stories sailors tell None of them talk of escaped hotels Generally not a danger at sea Now they are running free The National Hotel was bearing in The Sailors could taste all that gin Captain Riley will have to choose Do they run or wait for the booze Fred Luff built his pub well The Golden Hope was across the swell Others were out looking that day Alf Pearce was hopeful a bottle may stray He looked out to the sea from North Beach The pub now painfully out of his reach He sighed at the sight of all that free grog Now being lost to the Tasman fog He said all lights were

still burning bright Like the pub was waiting for the night The customers who now will never come Because the river had its little fun Maybe one day a sailor will see A Westport pub stuck at sea The river eventually did calm down Westport will move to higher ground The publicans will build again The drinkers will get drunk again And Alf will be there with stories to tell Give him a drink and all is well For he will remember that strange day When the river took the pubs away

Buller Community Arts Council This is a volunteer group of people interested in supporting the local arts scene.

The BCAC hold an exhibition of the current work of local artists once a year at a date that includes Easter if possible.The exhibition has happened for the last 26 years. This year 44 artists showed work.

The BCAC hold an annual Poetry Evening on the last Friday of July (29 July 2022) . This year at The Art Hotel.

Local poets present their own work.

Our members identify needs that are not being met by other groups or people and try to fill some of these to assist a vibrant arts scene that encourages access, participation and excellence.

Individual members are involved in many community arts activities outside of their BCAC responsibilities including drama classes, drum circle, folk groups,jam sessions, short film and video productions, art and craft tutoring,festivals and a local artists co–operative (Palm St Gallery Inc. at 214 Palmerson St ,Westport) Chairperson – Mary McGill marymcgill@xtra.co.nz –03 789 7158 Secretary/ Treasurer – Carolyn Dolden carolyndolden@xtra.co.nz

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

29

Situated 2 and a half hours from Greymouth and 1 hour from Westport and 10 minutes from Murchison the Buller Gorge Swingbridge is an excellent and affordable roadside stop.

Your adventure begins crossing the Swingbridge, a spectacular engineering achievement that stretches 110 metres across the Buller River. Your walk will take you through the epicentre of the 1929 Murchison Earthquake and through historic gold workings. The walk is enhanced by interpretation panels that tell these stories.

Enjoy the adventure of our high speed zipline “The Comet Line” which flies you across the Buller River. The ride can be taken either single seated or share the fun on our Tandem Comet Line. For the daring try the Supaman Harness and fly horizontally. Buller Canyon Jetboat leaves from the Swingbridge.

Check our website for details.

We are here

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Great Coast Road Walks

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

Photo: Neil Silverwood

Photo: Don & Ali Parish Photography NZ

The Inland Pack Track

Truman Track

PunakaIki Blowholes

Pororari River Track

The Inland Pack Track is accessible just north of the township via Bullock Creek Road. This track through a limestone gorge has mystique with vegetation including the spectacular summer flowering rata clinging to the sides.

The gentle undulating walk begins on State Highway 6 and takes visitors through a beautiful coastal grove of nikau palms to a coastal viewing point.

The walkway to the blowholes is wheelchair accessible for much of its route and there are several viewing points. A good time to visit is high tide when the blowholes are at their best or in the evening when the Pancake Rocks are kissed by the spectacular sunsets often seen in the area.

Follow the Pororari River upstream into the impressive Paparoa National Park.

Pass between dramatic limestone cliffs and through sub-tropical forest.

Photo: Neil Silverwood

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THE ORIGINAL

Featuring a stunning GlowWorm display in an untamed wilderness environment � Underworld Rafting � GlowWorm Cave Adventure � Nile River Rainforest Train

Charleston, West Coast

CALL NOW 0800 116 686 | www.caverafting.com 32

Rock Climbing in Buller One of the bolted lead routes at Weka Wall, in the lower Punakaiki River valley.

Charleston gneiss with superb crack for runners when lead climbing

The intimidating marine environment when climbing on the Charleston sea cliffs.

Two of the best rock climbing ‘crags’ in New Zealand can be found south of Westport, on the ancient gneiss sea cliffs at Charleston and the much younger limestone cliffs of Bullock Creek and the Punakaiki River valley in the Paparoa National Park.

Nothing in New Zealand really surpasses the intimidating marine environment at Charleston with the Tasman Sea rollers crashing into the base of the cliffs, not only the noise but also salt spray livening the atmosphere. But the rock is solid gneiss (a

metamorphosed granite) with good crack lines for trad, lead routes and longer, more serious bolted routes.

The younger bedded limestones of the Punakaiki River valley and Bullock Creek are offer a range of more serious, mostly

bolted routes. Weka Wall, not far from the main highway bridge in the Punakaiki valley has 7 bolted routes which offer a prelude to climbing on the longer, more committing, bolted routes on the south side of the Bullock Creek valley.

33

Charleston today

Fun and Wonder for the whole family Established over 40 years ago by the Currie Brothers, Mitchells Gully Gold Mine replicates the cemented blacksand mining of long ago with an enormous working water wheel and stamping battery, old mining tunnels and historic mining relics.

Located on State Highway 6, 2 km north of Charleston, this is a great place to learn about Charleston’s gold mining heritage.

Underworld Adventures is based right in the township of Charleston. They offer exciting Cave Rafting tours and a Rainforest Train in the heart of the pristine West Coast limestone landscape.

The award-winning Underworld Rafting experience features one of the world’s best GlowWorm displays, viewed from the unique vantage of a subterranean lake.

Beautiful calcite crystal formations in the 34

dry upper levels of the cave and some small but fun rapids on the river round out this once-in-a-lifetime experience. A walkingonly tour through the same extensive cave system is also offered for the less adventurous!

With Outwest Tours, experience “Johnny’s Journey”, a unique nature adventure in the Awakari Valley including wild red deer, unusual limestone rock formations, the Maori cave and beautiful rainforest.

Travel comfortably in an all-terrain Unimog vehicle. Outwest also runs tailored historic and nature tours in the Charleston – Okari area.

Charleston also marks the Southern end of the new Kawatiri Coastal Trail. This dual purpose (walking and cycling) track will eventually link Westport to Charleston via a stunning Coastal route. As of mid 2022, it’s open from Westport to Tauranga Bay,

but also has a short completed section right here in Charleston, from the township down to a newlyconstructed suspension bridge over the beautiful Nile (Waitakere) river.

At Constant Bay marvel at the harbour used by Sailing Ships during the gold rush of the 1860’s. Take the spectacular Loop Track around the sea cliffs to the south of the bay and take in the stunning coastal views. These cliffs are a favourite site for climbers and abseilers. The short walk up onto Flagstaff Hill is well worth a visit. Keep your eyes peeled for unusual rocks on the beach too – it’s not unusual to find Quartz

crystal, Serpentine and even the occasional piece of Pounamu!

The historic Argyle Water Race track starts close to Charleston and winds through the extensive gold workings. At a number of sites, there are excellent views of the Charleston flats. Best walked south to north, a large artificial lake marks the Southern End at Deep Creek. This used to supply water to the goldfields via an extensive network of water races.

Other walks include the Nile Valley track and the Tiropahi Tram Track. The Four Mile road provides access into the upper Nile area east of the limestone country.

Top Left: Section 4: Tauranga. The Trail enjoys expansive views of Nine Mile Beach. Photo: Jules Anderson Photography.

The Kawatiri Coastal Trail follows the footsteps of ancient Māori and 1860’s gold miners, and offers visitors an extraordinary West Coast adventure. The Grade 2 Easy, 55 km walking and cycling heritage Trail will eventually connect the communities along the coast from Westport to Charleston. With views from mountains to sea, the Trail traverses highlights such as Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay, Ōkari, Tōtara and Charleston. The area’s unique geology, diverse ecology, rich mining history and vast seascapes will make it one of New Zealand’s finest day rides.

Due for completion in mid 2023, the Trail will comprise of 9 Sections, varying in length from 5km to 10 km, offering cyclists and walkers an invigorating experience along a truly spectacular coastline. On the Pūwaha Section, with its exceptional ecology, early Māori trading history and significant archaeological sites, visitors are immersed in the district’s abundant cultural and natural heritage.

The diverse, all seasons Trail can be ridden in either direction, with the option to slow down the pace and split into shorter rides taking in major highlights along the

Top Right: Section 1: Pūwaha. Father and son on the boardwalk. Photo: Jules Anderson Photography.

way. A large number of interpretation panels along the route provide information on the fascinating ecological and historical values. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail passes an important historic site for Māori, where archaeological work has shown occupation dated around 1350, and thought to be one of the earliest New Zealand settlements.

The family friendly cycle Trail is suitable for most ages, fitness and abilities, and once complete will have the convenience of accommodation and eateries along the way. Multiple access points, bike hire, luggage transfers and shuttle options will enable visitors to incorporate overnight stops. The Trail joins the growing network of trails on the West Coast, such as the Old Ghost Road and West Coast Wilderness Trail. Both are world-class cycle trails and part of the Ngā Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail Network.

It is hoped the Kawatiri Coastal Trail will receive Great Ride status.

Construction of the Trail has been funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, however funds don’t extend to maintenance and on-going operations once built. The Trail therefore requires donations and (tūao) volunteers to help support

Above: Section 8: Waitakere. The Nile River suspension bridge. Photo: Peter Coburn.

this essential work. The Trail Trust has a number of volunteers working across weed control, Trail Events, Trail art projects, planting and a maintenance programme.

The Trail also provides a great opportunity for groups and organisations to be involved. Every volunteer’s time, experience and energy is a welcome contribution to help the Kawatiri Coastal Trail achieve its goals.

The Trail Sections will open in stages. You can find more information about which Sections are open, under construction and planned here: kawatiricoastaltrail.co.nz 35

Surfing in the Buller The Northern West Coast of the south island offers a range of quality breaks, with swell that only rarely seems to drop below waist height, west coast surfers find themselves waiting for swell to settle rather than build most of the time. The power of the Tasman sea can be reflected in the coastal geology, the never ending interaction of hydrology pushing and pulling forming our surf breaks. Massive rainfall means the river bars and inlets offer dynamic banks when not in flood and many of the breaks provide serious power and hollow barrels.

Surfing on the coast has something to offer for every level of surfer. In Buller, the Westport tip head is the best bet for a mellow surfing experience for all levels, facing north the break water provides shelter from the dominant South West weather systems. South of Westport is Tauranga bay, one of the jewels on the

‘west coast crown of surfing’. Can be absolutely pleasant at 1 meter and make a Hawaiian big wave legend feel at home as it hits 4 meters.

South more so is Fox river, a friendly wave also tucked away from the South West, a beautiful area with stunning access to the Paparoa national park up the valley.

Punakaiki offers blowholes, and waves of many forms, you probably get the picture now, get the maps out and search, ask locals or fellow surfers. I hope this sets you on your way to Surf satisfaction.

Active rips and lateral currents are always active on the coast assessing the water before entry is a must, refer to surf guide books for further surf locations on the coast there sure is a few..

Dion Findlay

For surf board, kayak and Paddle Board rentals email Dion : paparoapaddleco@gmail.com 36

Photo: Sheree Cargill Photography

Caving in Buller

The Buller district has the largest area of limestone in New Zealand, with more caves than you can shake a stick at. To the south, between the Punakaiki and Nile rivers, the largest area of karst landscape has spectacular, deeply incised gorges cutting through uplifted scarps of bedded limestone, with cave entrances yet to be found, lurking in dense, lush rain forest. To the north, inland from Karamea, and northwards to the Heaphy River, a second patch of limestone contains the scenic gems of the Oparara Basin and really long, recently discovered cave systems that are currently being explored by speleologists.

Fossil coastal sea caves, where ancient coastal travellers overnighted, are easily accessed from the coastal highway by the Fox River mouth and down Punakaiki’s Truman Track.

For the young at heart, but old in ‘dem’ bones, there are guided caving

tours at Honeycomb Hill Cave, inland from Karamea, and inner tube rafting in Metro Cave, accessible via a narrow-gauge train trip up the Nile River at Charleston.

While for the more adventurous, with a good headlamp and footwear, there are walk-in caves within an hour’s walk of the coastal highway Cave Creek Cave up the Bullock Creek road at Punakaiki, and Fox River Cave, an old tourist cave dating from the late 1800s.

Serious caving enthusiasts are still finding new caves, new connections and new water-filled passages for challenging diving. If you are interested in caving, there are clubs in Nelson, Canterbury, the West Coast and a national speleological society (NZSS).

One big dampener for caving on the West Coast is the weather. Many of the caves flood after heavy rain events as does the Bullock Creek road with access to Cave Creek.

Paul Caffyn

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Paddling in Buller Although the boisterous Tasman Sea does not offer too many calm days for sea kayaking, there are a great range of paddling options for Buller. From serious white-water paddling on the Karamea River, rafting on the Mokihinui to a cruisy down river paddle down the Buller. Estuaries at Karamea, north of Westport and the Pororari River offer scenic paddle boarding, while the growing sport of pack rafting allows walking into scenic gorges, and then paddling out to the coast. The half day Cave Creek/Porarari paddle through the deeply incised limestone gorge finishes close to the local tavern. Beaches close to Westport provide a range of wonderful surf breaks for both wave skis and kayaks.

Paul Caffyn, who lives on the West-Coast south of Punakaiki, completed the first kayak circumnavigation of the South Island back in the late 70s, then went on paddle around the North Island and Stewart Island. After paddling around GB in 1980, he completed a year-long paddle around Australia.

Japan followed in 1985, and after two attempts at crossing the Tasman, Paul soloed the entire coast of Alaska from Canada to Canada.

Paul has four books currently in print, three on his sea kayak trips and a fourth on a PNG caving expedition. Copies are available from his website: paulcaffyn.co.nz

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You haven’t had the full West Coast experience until you’ve explored it with your taste buds, so Punakaiki cafe owner and entrepreneur, Patrick Volk decided to source the many unique flavors of the West Coast and craft them into a delicious box of chocolates.

Patrick arrived on the Coast 12 years ago from Germany and fell in love with the wild beauty of the region. Since then, alongside his partner Joe, he’s established cafes in Punakaiki and Hokitika, featuring his signature pancakes and waffles. Then, in 2021, a lunch appointment with the Prime Minister triggered an idea. Patrick wished there was a special gift he could give to showcase the area he loves; a product that melded together both the history of the area and the flavors created here by local suppliers. The vision of West Coast Chocolate Icons had begun.

With a supportive team around him, Patrick brought his vision to life: Chocolates handcrafted to look like the Punakaiki pancake rocks, gems of greenstone, and icy-blue mountain peaks, filled with locally made flavors from black beer to coffee, pink gin to native honey.

The chocolates can be found at the Pancake Rocks Cafe, Hokitika Airport and i-Site, Greymouth i-Site, Arthur’s Pass Cafe and Store, Four Square Franz Josef, The Soap Box Westport and i-Site, and Hokitika’s Regent Theater Cafe where they can be enjoyed alongside a warm plate of tasty waffles or boxed up and taken with you on your journey.

West Coast Chocolate Icons Local Flavours, Local Stories

Westport/Kawatiri Coal Nugget with Black Beer and Coffee

Fox & Franz Glacier Ice Pink Gin with Pure Glacier Water

Haast White Chocolate Whitebait with Slivered Almonds

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks with Native Rata Honey

Hokitika Greenstone Gem with Pistachio Nuts

Greymouth/Mawhera Butter Toffee Nugget with Real Gold Flakes

Patrick and his team look forward to welcoming you to the Coast.

The chocolates can also be bought separately at the Pancake Rocks Cafe and Hokitika’s Regent Theatre Cafe.

Buy online: www.chocolateicons.nz 39

Ever wondered what lies beneath New Zealand?

Caves: Exploring New Zealand’s subterranean landscape takes a deep dive into the world of caving.

Available now for just

$60 Contact

neilsilverwood@hotmail.com www.neilsilverwood.com

40

Play

Live

Work WEST COAST SCENIC WATERWAYS

NOMAD AUDIO & VIDEO

Cindy and Gavin moved from Auckland to Hokitika where they run cruises, kayaking, bike hire and accommodation along the beautiful Mahinapua Waterways.

Daimon is an award-winning New Zealand musician who has moved to Westport where he runs an audio and visual business from his home studio.

Growing Business to Grow the Coast If you’re looking to start a new business or relocate an existing one, join us on the West Coast. DWC is your first point of contact for business assistance on the West Coast.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING NZ Allan is a Scotsman living in Greymouth, who is usually out catching trout when he’s not working on his emergency management consultancy business.

0800 768 0140 info@dwc.org.nz

dwc.org.nz 41

The Lettuce Man Adrian Mehrtens from Mehrts Place Hokitika Locally Grown Hydroponic grower of Lettuce, Spinach and herbs supplying Hokitika and the surrounding area with fresh produce daily.

Supplying cafes, restaurants and takeaway outlets as well as prepacked retail bags.

Look for the “Locally Grown” label at Hokitika New World and Stafford Street Stores and The Cooks Pantry in Greymouth.

Mr Adrian Mehrtens Proprietor Mehrts Place Hokitika P 022 610 7633 E mert23@xtra.co.nz

www.thelettuceman.co.nz 42

White Heron

Sanctuary tourS Whataroa

VISIT NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY WHITE HERON NESTING SITE Nesting season, September to February.

White Heron, Royal Spoonbill and other birdlife.

A Unique Experience!

Freephone: 0800 523 456 Email: info@whiteherontours.co.nz Web: www.whiteherontours.co.nz 29 43

Supermarket Supermarket 42 CONVENIENT 42 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS LOCATIONS AROUND AROUND THE SOUTH THE ISLAND, SOUTHOPEN ISLAND, 7 DAYS. OPEN 7 DAYS. newworld.co.nz newworld.co.nz

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unui Hanmer Springs / Hur 2021/2022

NDIUM IN-ROOM COMPE

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Explore West Coast Greymouth 2022

NDIUM IN-ROOM COMPE

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Akaroa 2021/2022

NDIUM IN-ROOM COMPE

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WESTLAND 2021/2022

NDIUM IN-ROOM COMPE

Photo: Neil Silverwood

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Kaikoura 2022 – 2023

Are you interested in advertising, publishing your high resolution photos or have an inspiring community story for any of our next compendiums?

Please contact Terry Gee | EXPLORE Sales Consultant | explore@jamesprint.co.nz | 020 411 23654

See the full range of In-Room Compendiums online www.greystar.co.nz/explore