South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 353 – 368, 6 - 21 October 2010

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey.

Day 353 - 368.  6 - 21 October 2010

Abel Tasman National Park and North to Cape Farewell

This blog is best viewed in conjunction with Raewyn's email episodes that correspond with approximately the same days and dates.


After arriving at Motueka where we stayed a couple of nights free parking at the RSA we moved on to Kaiteriteri Beach to stay at the camp ground. From here we took the tour boat up the Abel Tasman National Park on the 'Discovery Tour'. This tour goes from Kateriteri Beach up to Totaranui Beach starting at 0900hrs. On the way back we were dropped off at Bark Bay and walked to the 7km to Torrent Bay where the tour boat picked us up for the run back to Kaiteriteri where we finished at 1630hrs.

Early morning at Kaiteriteri Beach

The sun silhouettes the islands in the bay.

Time to go, our tour boat has arrived.

This rock is called Apple Rock. An interesting pic with the sun behind it.

Same rock different sun position.

Some of the local inhabitants that make a living off the sea.

There were many individual sea access only properties tucked away.

The snow capped mountains in the background offer some contract.

One of the many inlets of the Park.

One of the better ways to enjoy the beauty of the Park.

It's easy to see why Totaranui Beach is so popular.

Apparently many couples get married by these rock formations.

Hmmm.  So what's this then?

The beginning of our walk from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay.

A view looking back at Bark Bay as we started our climb.

Interesting sand patterns in the estuary.

Sandfly Bay at low tide, on our way to Torrent Bay.

One of the bridges to negotiate on the walk.

So where's Johnny Depp and the Pirates?

Destination Torrent Bay and our tour boat pick up.  


From Abel Tasman it was off further North to Cape Faerwell and places in between. The following are a few of the interesting pics taken on the way.

 After lunch at the 'Mussel Inn' we were off to grub for cockles in the Onekaka estuary.

The locals were real friendly.

Didn't take much interest in us.

Even Mr & Mrs Quail went about their business.

The incoming tide bought it's own images.

Right up North a typical Puponga bach.

And what's left of the Puponga wharf.

This is the entry to Wharariki Beach.

Offered dramatic scenery.

Interesting views as we moved down Wharariki Beach

Looking back the way we had come to the North

It was time to continue the 2 hour round trip

To climb out and leave the pristine Wharariki Beach

Through shoreline scrub

Emerging from the wind sculptured trees

Past a few solitary cabbage trees

For the walk back to 'The Italian Job'

There were still a few places to visit whilst here

The Kahoka sand lakes

Via a 1 hour return Nikau walkway

A visit to the historic Bainham store

On the way to the Heaphy Track

And finally on the way, The Devils Boots.

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 45 - 51 2 – 8 December 2009

 Waitapu Bridge – 1 night

Pohara – 2 nights

 (Visited  & fished Anatoki Salmon Farm)

 Patons Rock Steam Museum – 2 nights

Kaiteriteri – 1 night

Riwaka – 1 night

WAITAPU BRIDGE

2/3 Dec 09

It was quite late after visiting Pu Pu Springs so we decided to free park beside the Waitapu Bridge on the main road at the Springs turnoff.  Tasman District Council allow two nights for self contained vehicles. The night we stayed apart from us there were nine non SC vehicles!

POHARA

3 - 5 Dec 09

From Waitapu it was only a few km back to Takaka and then out to Pohara where the boat club is a POP for NZMCA members. $5 / night, $2 showers and $4 each for washing m/c and dryer. 

 The POP is opposite an old abandoned cement works. 

I tried fishing off the break water, more than once, morning and evening, but after shark, shark and more carpet sharks I decided to give it a miss.

 The area is known for its most interesting rock formations.  More pics later.

The evening held promise for the coming next day.          

 The same view the following morning presented the view of the Tekaka Hills in almost a screen print.

WAINUI BAY

5 Dec 09

 During our stay at Pohara we went part the way to the DOC camp at Totaranui stopping at Wainui Bay. 

It was interesting even though the tide was out. There's actually a DOC trail that cuts across the bay that you can take when the tide is out.

Time for a ‘nap’ in a layby before heading back to Pohara.

ANATOKI SALMON FARM

5 Dec 09

We learnt that it was half price weekend at the Anatoki Salmon Farm.  For obvious reasons they don't publish it in advance.  It started out as a weekend for the locals.

 They have a special large pond where you catch the salmon. We stopped at . two each.  They stock it with 7,500 for the season.  If all fishing was this easy I would take up knitting.  

If you want they will smoke and vacuum pack for you.  5.98kg of green fish cost us $86 to catch, smoke and vacuum pack.  Catching the salmon takes about 20 mins and the processing 2 hours.

Patons Rock Steam Museum 

5-7 Dec 09

We caught up with another couple, Jane and Rob, we had met earlier at Pohara who had also been to the Anatoki Salmon Farm.  

At the Patton Rock Steam Museum POP.  $2/pers/night + $2 for a shower.

 Great sunset after a day of almost continuous rain.

THE GROVE - CLIFTON 

7 Dec 09

On the 7^th we parted to head over the Tekaka Hill but first a visit to a rock formation called ‘The Grove’ just outside Tekaka at Clifton.  A DOC reserve.

Rock formations weren't all that were unusual.

The track through The Grove takes you up to a high platform where the view of Golden Bay is extensive.

TEKAKA HILL

7 Dec 09

Many a tight corner in the 26km up and over.  Almost full lock for The Italian Job (Fiat) on the inside corners. 

 Some times the road almost came back on itself.  These were taken by me whilst Raewyn turned the steering wheel - Yeh right!

However the view was worth it.  This is only part way up but at least this crossing we weren’t in the clouds like last time when from bottom to top and down again we couldn't see anything.

KAITERITERI

7/8 Dec 09

Anyway time to start making our way back to Nelson with a couple of stops on the way.

 After crossing the Tekaka Hill it was out to Kaiteriteri Beach and the golden sand.

 We found the locals quite engaging.

 With their own version of Aku Aku.

For the night we stayed at a camp called Bethany which is about 300m from the beach.  Apparently this is where many motorhomes winter over as it’s about $75/pw with power, showers et al.

MARAHAU

8 Dec 09

After lunch at Marahau just north of Kaiteriteri.

Beside an estuary formed by a golden sandspit.

We enjoyed the company of a family of Californian Quail.  Look close, the couple have at least 10 baby quail with them.  The pic was taken on full 200m zoom.

RIWAKA

8/9 Dec 09

From Marahau heading towards Nelson we opted for the night stop, 8^th, at a orchard POP just south of Riwaka