Go West!

New Zealand's West Coast is known for it's rugged shore lines, wild ocean and colourful history. We've spent a few really enjoyable days driving along the coast, calling in at several towns and tourist sites, and we've been very impressed.

On our way west we called in at Golden Bay and Farewell Spit. The weather wasn't fantastic so you may not be able to make out much more than a grey line in the photo but the spit is an immense sand bar that seems to go on forever. We actually had a better view of it from the plane on our way to the South Island!

Ironically, by the time we reached Cape Foulwind, the weather got a lot better.



We've had a bit more luck with "freedom camping" (aka not having to pay for a camp site!) recently and are really enjoying the independence of the camper van. This was our wonderful view in a quiet spot along the Motueka Valley Highway.

 

One of my favourite places was the Pancake Rocks near Punakaiki. The limestone has been formed into what look like stacks of pancakes and, in some places, eroded into bizarre shapes. The sea there is incredibly powerful and makes loud booming noises and lots of spray as it rushes into the hollows and caves. We went back in the evening, for high tide, to the see the ocean at full strength, pounding against the coast. Impressive.

Greymouth is a rather dull and depressing town, so we weren't keen to stay long, but we did do a tour of its Monteith's Brewery. They've been brewing beers such as the Original Ale, Black and Celtic Red since the 1840s and it's a real West Coast icon.



Here I am with the fermenting tanks. Sadly they weren't actually brewing when we visited, so you'll just have to imagine them brimming with beer!


After a rather whirlwing tour with a slightly rowdy group of dairy farmers, we were able to sample their full range of 8 beers in the bar - this was clearly the bit the farmers had been waiting for!



Rob liked the Original Ale the best!

We stopped in a lovely village called Okarito, which has only 35 residents and is just a tiny strip of houses between the sea and the mountains. It has a really special atmosphere, I think, and the lagoon is beautiful, too. Once again we are astonished by New Zealand's diversity.

Rachel x