Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Brunner
via the SH7 turn-off at Stillwater, a journey of 39km. It can also be reached from the
south via Kumara Junction.
One of many lakes in the area, Brunner is a tranquil spot for bushwalks, bird-spotting
and various watersports including boating and fishing. Indeed, the local boast is that the
lake and Arnold River are 'where the trout die of old age', which implies that the local
fish are particularly clever or the fisherfolk are somewhat hopeless. Greymouth i-SITE
can hook you up with a guide. Head to the marina to undertake one or all of several
pretty short walks.
Moana
is the main settlement, home to numerous accommodation options of which
Arnold Valley Rd; sites from $30, cabins $60-70, cottages d $135-145; )
, 2km from the lake. It
features cabins, cottages and campervan sites tucked into native plantings through park-
like grounds, while tenters can enjoy the lush grassy camping field down the back. This
is proper peace and quiet, unless you count birdsong and the bubbling of the spa pool.
Moana also has a couple of places to eat including a cafe opposite the station where
the TranzAlpine train pulls in. There's also food at the petrol station, and the local pub,
which is trending upward.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Kumara
POP 310
Thirty kilometres south of Greymouth, near the western end of Arthur's Pass (SH73),
Kumara was yet another busy gold-rush town that ground to a halt, leaving behind a thin
posse of flinty folk who have kept the town going to this day. And all to the greater good,
for were it not for the Kumarians there would be no starting point for the
Coast to Coast
(
www.coasttocoast.co.nz
)
, NZ's most famous multisport race. Held each February, the
strong, the brave and the totally knackered run-cycle-ride-kayak-bike a total of 243km all
the way across the mountains to Christchurch, with top competitors dusting it off in just
under 11 hours.
Having manned the starting gate with sterling hospitality for 30 years, this tiny town is
well-oiled to cope with yet more sporty visitors, namely people cycling the West Coast
Wilderness Trail (
Click here
)
, which passes through the town. Anticipating their arrival
is the show-stopping
Theatre Royal Hotel
(
03-736 9277;
www.theatreroyalhotel.co.nz
;
81
