November the 14 th 2015. When was the last time you went to Westport and then further north to Seddonville? The Coasters club would like to make some suggestions and take you on a 3 day virtual holiday home to reconnect with the Coast. My name is Bruce Smith. I am a 4 th generation Coaster and I want to show you around your Coast. This week we are off to ride was has been described as the most exciting mountain bike trail in New Zealand The old Ghost Road. On the way we arrive at lunchtime to visit Westport.
Lunch time allows us to choose from the many cafes on Palmerston Street and we nestle into Gibbys cafe.
When we arrive the cabinets have a great range of sweet and savoury product on display and there is a steady stream of customers. Gibby s does a hot meal every day that is obviously popular with the locals, alongside the scones, pizzas, pies and slices. The new juice bar has everything we need. Paul has painted the café green so that it stands out on busy Palmerston Street, and it seems to work because he says some days they just don t have enough space, especially when tourist buses come through the town. After an excellent light lunch it s off to Cape Foulwind for our favourite natural wonder in Westport, the Cape Foulwind Walk (16km southwest of Westport) at Tauranga Bay. One of many walks near Westport, it takes you over a prominent headland overlooking the Tasman Sea and at the southern end is one of New Zealand s most accessible NZ fur seal colonies. Between October and March the big bull seals return to mate and the pups are at their most playful.
It s getting late in the day so we head North and arrive at the accommodation we had selected The Old Slaughter House back packers at Hector. The name sounds a bit freaky but oh the place is great. The origins of the Old Slaughterhouse go back to Ireland in 1993. David the owner was traveling there and fell in love with the idea of hostels and lodges. Just before leaving Ireland to come back to New Zealand the idea of building and operating his own travellers lodge occurred to him so he did exactly that when he came back and started building a lodge that is today known as The Old Slaughterhouse. As David tells it to me.. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The views from here are breath taking, different each day and you are surrounded by native bush, the sea and fascinating wildlife- it s very peaceful! Its name The Old Slaughterhouse originates from an abattoir that operated on the hill until the mid-1940s. Back then the hill was known as Slaughterhouse Hill. You can still see the original building on the bottom of the hill, next to our carpark. The lodge was hand built, using mostly recycled timber, doors and windows, with all construction taking place on site. It took us about 2 years to complete the construction and in 1997 we were finally able to welcome our first guests. All our water comes from a spring here on the property and we use a mini-hydro system to generate our electric energy. This limits the use of electric powered utensils and as a result you won t find e.g. microwave ovens, hairdryers or a washing machine here.
We rise early on the Saturday morning and head into Seddonville where we get the most amazing breakfast at the Hotel.
Seddonville is just inland from the coast. It marks one end of the Old Ghost Road mountain biking track. The 80km multi-day walk or ride follows a long forgotten gold miners road and traverses native forest, alpine tops and seven ghost towns to historic Lyell in the Buller Gorge. Today we fly by Karamea Helicopters to the top of the old ghost Road and ride down; it s about 40km and all action.
https://www.facebook.com/dave.kwant/videos/10152919576249809/
Then all too quickly we are back at Seddonville where we scored lunch at the Seddonville Hotel. At Seddonville you can access one end of the Charming Creek Walkway which takes you through a gorge and many historic features and is also open to mountain biking. It s a great way to spend what s left of the day.
Tonight we have decided to stay at the Rough and Tumble Lodge. As Marion, one of the owners tells it..susan got the phone call from me: "I've found the perfect place. Ten minutes from the bach. Incredible bush. Wild as it gets!" Marion shook hands on the property the next day, having neglected to tell Susan there were two volatile creeks to ford, no power or phones for two kilometres, and, oh yeah, not much in the way of roading. Nonetheless, the Rough and Tumble Bush Lodge began its crooked journey into reality. Once we moved over, it quickly became clear the project was way beyond our means. So rather than do the sane thing and hang it up, we extended ourselves further, purchased the neighbouring 100 acre block, and created an 11 section, highly environmentally covenanted subdivision. Our goal was simple, to make it feasible to build the required roading and bring in infrastructure for the lodge.
All too soon after a great sleep and the best of breakfasts we say goodbye and head south and return to Westport. We have a choice of at least 6 cafes in Westport for an early lunch and then it s off to Charleston. Underworld Rafting Glow worm Cave Tour - Rainforest Trail -Adventure Caving yes and all based out of Charleston which is a major adventure centre these days. The train ride was completed in December 2002, The Nile River Rainforest Train recreated a bygone era where bush trams once prevailed. The Train provides visitors with a fantastic way to experience the spectacular landscapes of the Nile River Canyon in the South Island s Paparoa National Park. Depart from the festival station at the entry to the water sculptured limestone Nile River Canyon. Enjoy the landscape and interpret the environment as the train meanders its way through the rainforest beside the Nile River. Pass through many of the film sites for the BBC s The Lost World production and imagine the pioneers at work in the canyon. Arrive at Softrock Station, nestled beneath the towering limestone buffs. Take a short walk from the station through the rainforest to the Nile River Suspension Bridge before your return journey to the festival station.
Would you like to try some underwater rafting while you are here? We have had the most amazing experience at Charleston and we all agree we must come back. The friendly service and knowledge of the staff is outstanding. This is a must for any one coming home.
We were going to go straight back to Westport but decided to go back through the Wilson Lead road and visit Tauranga Bay and its famous Bay House Restaurant. Nestled into the native bush clad peninsula of Tauranga Bay (Maori for sheltered bay ), The Bay House has a unique coastal location giving a sense of escape to somewhere close to paradise. Overlooking the Tasman surf, The Bay House is one of New Zealand's most picturesque dining environments Recently renovated with a new light and modern style, the Bay House gives a range of options for guests depending on their mood, the time of day and the weather, with comfortable indoor and alfresco seating areas. With stunning waterfront views from almost all tables on the premises and seasonal New Zealand style cuisine, the iconic Bay House is a true destination for all in search of a memorable dining experience in a world class location.
Sitting out on the deck we just never wanted to leave but like all good stories they must end and sadly we headed back into Westport. Our accommodation tonight in Westport is Archer House. Its Exclusive Westport accommodation, Archer House is a boutique bed and breakfast guest house, ideal for holiday accommodation. Archer House was built in 1890 as a prominent grocers accommodation. Tonight our hosts Jackie and Charles Bruning treat us like royalty for our stay at this large Category 1 NZ Heritage Home, with breath-taking Victorian architecture, making it the most luxurious offering of accommodation in Westport. This sunny, quiet and magnificent home is full of arts and artefacts and boasts sumptuous decor. It is a popular venue for garden weddings.
After breakfast it is goodbye from Charles and Jackie where they tell us you must call into Coal town. It s been moved into the centre of town and we wanted to see if it had lost any of its charm. Be assured its worth calling in as the history has been well captured, the staff know what they are about and Buller has a wealth of history with mineral extraction.
Very impressive guys and Westport you should be very proud of the way this museum is set out. Just about all over and we say goodbye to Westport and take with us fond memories.the map says the road between Westport and Reefton takes just an hour and is a truly scenic drive. It traverses part of the Buller Gorge Scenic Drive which is rated as one of the 101 must do things by the New Zealand Automobile Association and with good reason. Even on a misty rainy day the scenery is dramatic. Now we had forgotten that right in the middle is Berlins Hotel. Oh the hours we have spent there at night swapping stories and spot lighting for deer in the gorge something that would get you into a heap of trouble these days.
Now its wheels up and we are heading for home where ever that may be: Please note we have no commission arrangements or any commercial arrangement with any of the attractions or accommodation mentioned. Our aim is to show you just a fraction of what is on offer on the Coast and from there it s all up to you. Thanks for coming on this virtual tour with me and we can t wait until you all return for another adventure on the Coast and to reconnect again. Bruce Smith The Coasters Club. The Coast extends from Karamea to the Haast and incorporates the people of Buller,Grey and Westland. www.thecoastersclub.co.nz
Then all too soon we are back in Westport for our departure home. Please note we have no commission arrangements or any commercial arrangement with any of the attractions or accommodation mentioned. Our aim is to show you just a fraction of what is on offer on the Coast and from there it s all up to you. Thanks for coming on this virtual tour with me and we can t wait until you all return for to the Coast to reconnect again and catch up on the amazing things to do and places to visit. Bruce Smith The Coasters Club. The Coast extends from Karamea to the Haast and incorporates the people of Buller,Grey and Westland. www.thecoastersclub.co.nz