A love letter to the West Coast

from Motor caravanner June-July 2022

by Alan Royal

Members help with a perfect pick

WORDS & PHOTOS BY DIANE CHANDLER #68780

Top six things to do on a wet day (there’s plenty of them!) on the Coast

1. Visit the Coaltown Museum, in Westport (or, in fact, any of the fascinating museums and info centres dotted throughout the Coast). 2. Head to Barrytown knifemaking – where, surprise, surprise, you can make your own knife, forging the blade from red hot steel and completing the knife with a native timber handle. www.barrytownknifemaking.com 3. Bonz n Stonz – carve your own bone, shell or pounamu carving at this boutique carving school in Hokitika. We did this and we loved it, they are such great people. www.bonz-nstonz.co.nz 4. West Coast Wildlife centre, at Franz Josef, where you can view New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the rowi. It’s an indoor attraction that brings together nature, conservation and wildlife. www.wildkiwi.co.nz 5. Waiho hot tubs, again at Franz Josef. Pure relaxation in private tubs nestled in a lush rainforest setting. www.waihohottubs.co.nz 6. Or come on, just put on a jacket and go for a walk. This is the West Coast, rain is frequent so don’t let it stop you from getting out there to watch the ocean roaring, view the waterfalls or marvel at the beautiful rainforest.

The West Coast of the South Island is unique, rugged, stunning and a place to revive your soul, says NZMCA member Diane Chandler. Diane’s Dad was a Coaster, her grandparents were Coasters, her great grandad was a Coaster so it’s not surprising she loves the place and that her and husband Lyndon frequently ‘have the need’ to go back and explore the area. “Despite visiting hundreds of times we still find new things to do and see – so vast is the West Coast. And even those things we have seen before take our breath away when our memory is refreshed seeing them,” writes Diane. Here’s her love letter to this special part of Aotearoa.

The Great Coast Road between Greymouth and Westport has been named as one of the top 10 coastal drives in the world. But exploring SH67 north of Karamea down to join SH6 and south to Haast and then the whole area.

However, do which absorbed the rain.

A number d us. We were concerned about the couple in the red car who were behind us – emergency call. We had The roading crews did an amazing job and six hours later the roads were opened to one lane and we were proudly led through. It was to the West Coast and my favourites (remember these are just at

ABOVE: BELOW:

Top six lakes

Lake Brunner – the largest lake on the West Coast. The Arnold River Lake Kaniere The DOC Lake Mahinapua ll areas.

Lake Mapourika Lake Matheson Lake Paringa

Top six tours

• Honeycomb Tours, Karamea – Tours of the Honeycomb Caves, and the Oparara and Moira Arches. • Underworld Adventures Tour,

Charleston – Experience the cave, glow worms and tubing down the Nile River.

• Bike shuttle companies – Do some explore more. • Bonz n Stonz – Carve your own bone, shell or pounamu carving to create a memento to treasure forever.

• Whataroa White Heron Tours – The boat trip is just part of the through stunning forest to view these graceful birds.

• Fox Glacier Heli Hike – Seriously, t more adventurous I and exploring caves and crevasses on two of only three glaciers on earth that are surrounded by rainforest. most accessible glaciers in the world.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:

Top six bike trails

Heaphy Track – Open from 1 May to 30 November each year for biking. It’s some 78kms in length and is rated grade 4 (experienced cyclists). Kawatiri Coastal Trail Old Ghost Road – From Lyall to Seddonville or vice versa. It’s 85kms trip from Lyall to the ridge shelter and then walk along the ridgeline for the best views and back.

Paparoa Track The West Coast Wilderness Trail The Kokako walk and cycle trail, Haast rainforest and is very achievable for most riders.