Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Westport to Karamea
North along SH67, the road is pressed against the rocky shoreline by verdant hills. If
you're driving all the way up to Karamea, fill your tank in Westport as it's 98km to the
next petrol station.
The first town beyond Westport is
Waimangaroa
, with a shop worth a stop for a
homemade pie and ice cream. Here you'll also find the turn-off to the Denniston Plateau
(
Click here
)
, which can be surveyed in as little as an hour.
Sleepy
Granity
is 30km north of Westport. Little happens here save the passing of
flouro-vested mine workers heading up to
Stockton
, NZ's largest operational coal mine,
which is located 8km inland.
The next coastal cluster is
Ngakawau
, shortly followed by
Hector
where stands a monu-
ment to Hector's dolphins, NZ's smallest, although you'll be lucky to see them unless
your timing is impeccable.
Around 1km north of Hector is a rather special hostel nestled high on the hill amongst
native bush, with epic views of the Tasman Sea. The
Old Slaughterhouse
(
027 529 7640, 03-782
8333;
www.oldslaughterhouse.co.nz
; dm $32-36, d $80; sometimes closed Jun-Oct)
, built mainly from
recycled timbers, is dotted with great art and eclectic furniture, and has tranquil communal
areas ideal for contemplation. The steep, 10-minute walk up the hill is well worth the ef-
fort and bolsters the off-the-grid charm.
In these parts you'll find the
Charming Creek Walkway
. One of the best day-walks on the
Coast, this all-weather trail (six hours return) follows an old coal line through the
Ngakawau River Gorge. Along its length are rusty relics galore, tunnels, a suspension
bridge and waterfall, and lots of interesting plants and geological formations. Ask a local
about transport if you don't want to walk it both ways.
You can start the walkway at Ngakawau, where you'll find the
Charming Creek B&B
(
03-782 8007;
www.bullerbeachstay.co.nz
;
Ngakawau; d incl breakfast $139-169; )
. The rooms are indeed
charming, and there's a driftwood-fired hot tub right by the sea where the self-contained
'Beach Nest' bach sleeps 3 to 4 ($95 to $135, minimum two-night stay). Ask about the
two-night walking package, which includes dinners and a picnic lunch.
The northern trailhead for the walkway is 10km beyond
Seddonville
, a small bush town
on the Mokihinui River where
Seddonville Holiday Park
( 03-782 1314; 108 Gladstone St; campsites
per person $10)
offers respectable camping in the grounds of the old school. This small dot on
