Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Karamea River Motels
( 03-782 6955;
www.karameamotels.co.nz
;
31 Bridge St; r $125-169; )
The smart rooms at this mod-
ern, rural motel range from studios to two-bedroom units. Features include long-range
views, barbecues and lush gardens complete with lily pond.
MOTEL
$$
Last Resort
( 03-782 6617, 0800 505 042;
www.lastresort.co.nz
;
71 Waverley St; s $50, d $97-155, q $195; )
This
iconic, rambling and rustic resort has had its ups and downs, but is currently riding a wave
of friendly local hosts, accommodation upgrades and a general tidy up. Scope the joint
with espresso or a beer in the cafe or bar (meals $9 to $25) or take the plunge into a range
of rooms, from simple doubles to family suites hallmarked by extensive use of local tim-
bers.
LODGE
$$
Karamea Village Hotel
(
www.karameahotel.co.nz
;
cnr Waverley & Wharf Sts; meals $9-29; 11am-11pm)
Here lie simple pleas-
ures and proper hospitality: a game of pool, a pint of ale, and a hot roast dinner followed
by an old-fashioned pudding.
PUB
$$
Information
Karamea Information & Resource Centre
( 03-782 6652;
www.karameainfo.co.nz
;
Market Cross; 9am-5pm
Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat & Sun, shorter hours off-peak)
This excellent, community-owned centre has
the local low-down, internet access, maps and DOC hut tickets. It also doubles as the pet-
rol station.
Getting There & Away
Karamea Express
( 03-782 6757;
info@karamea-express.co.nz
)
links Karamea and Westport ($35,
two hours, 7.40am Monday to Friday May to September, plus Saturdays from October to
April). It also services Kohaihai twice daily during peak summer, and other times on de-
mand. Wangapeka transport is also available.
Heaphy Bus
( 03-540 2042, 0800 128 735;
www.theheaphybus.co.nz
)
, based in Nelson, also runs
between both ends of the Heaphy, as well as the Wangapeka.
Fly from Karamea to Takaka with
Helicopter Charter Karamea
(
03-782 6111;
0800 588 885;
www.goldenbayair.co.nz
)
or
03-525 6167, 0800 150 338;
www.adventureflightsgoldenbay.co.nz
)
for
Adventure Flights Golden Bay
(