Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
either trailhead, on demand (most economically tagging you on to a scheduled service), with
sample fares of $40 from Westport to Lyell and $40 from Seddonville to Westport.
You can also be dropped off at Lyell by the bus operators running scheduled SH6 services
to Westport from Nelson or Picton, the most regular of which are
InterCity
( 03-365 1113;
Scheduled daily shuttle services also pass Seddonville, run by
Karamea Express
(
03-782 6757;
info@karamea-express.co.nz
)
.
The Tramp
Day 1: Lyell Campsite to Lyell Saddle Hut
4-6 HOURS, 16KM, 765M ASCENT
Located right on the highway on the scenic Buller Gorge, the Lyell campsite is a popular
stop with both day visitors and overnighters attracted by its historic interest, in particular the
gold-mining relics and the overgrown
Lyell Cemetery
, 10 minutes' walk from the campsite.
The Old Ghost Road is well signposted at the far end of the campsite, and the wooden
gateway offers a good photo opportunity. Cross the bridge over
Lyell Creek
and follow the
track as it begins its steady climb up what has long been a popular walkway, following the
original miners' dray road.
Gentle, beech forest dominates as you head up the Lyell Valley. Around 45 minutes into
the tramp you will reach the site of
Gibbstown
, where side tracks lead down to the site of
the old alpine battery. It will take around an hour (3km) of gentle to reach
Eight Mile
, but it
is only the odd rusty relic, stranded in the undergrowth, that betrays the existence of these
settlements. Insightful interpretive displays will stir the imagination.
As you wind your way further up the valley, other interesting features come into view,
such as the earthquake slips caused by the 1929 Murchison and 1968 Inangahua earth-
quakes. The damage is clearly visible in a series of gouges, still largely bald except for the
odd tree clinging precariously to the loose, rocky slopes. Two such slips must be crossed
around 2½ hours into the journey, where gates indicate that riders must dismount.
The track continues winding up the valley to
Lyell Saddle
, where a short spur track leads
to
Lyell Saddle Hut
(20 bunks), clustered on a ridge overlooking the Mokihinui South
Branch and the Glasgow Range.
