South Island day 2: Westport to Franz Josef

We gained an extra hour today (thanks to daylight savings ending) and were on the road by 8:30, aiming for an attraction that had its first tour at 9:00. We needn’t have rushed though, because it turned out that they actually didn’t open until 10. So instead, our first attraction for the day was the Mitchell’s Gully gold mine in Charleston, which was really worthwhile. The track is literally that – a set of tram tracks, which takes you around through the bush and through tunnels etc. to an old stamper where the gold was extracted, collected, and refined. After that it was back to the Nile River Train for 10:00. They do caving and rafting tours as well, but in the interests of getting to Punakaiki by the afternoon we just did the 90-minute version, which involved a miniature train ride and bush walk up to the entrance of the caves, passing various limestone formations on the way.


Mitchell's Gully gold mine


Limestone cliffs at Nile River


Shot of the day, along the bush walk at Nile River


Constant Bay, Charleston


The scenery driving down the West Coast can be pretty wild in places. I’ve lost count of how many one-way bridges and sections of road we’ve encountered. But this generally hasn’t been a problem, as there hasn’t been too much traffic – apart from cyclists, who don’t seem to understand that riding in the middle of the road is not a good idea.


Local wildlife on SH6


Both Raewyn and I have been to Punakaiki before, but it’s always worth a visit. There was enough swell today for the blowhole to be blowing. Just before getting in to Punakaiki, we pulled over to walk along the Truman track down to the beach. I guess there are loads of these, all beginning with dense bush and giving way to the shoreline where the surf is pounding against the rocks.

By the time we left Punakaiki it was around 3 pm, and the rain found us as we got to Hokitika (a refuel stop). Tonight we are staying at a motel/backpackers at Franz Josef, listening to the rain falling on the roof, and praying it clears by tomorrow morning!


Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowhole doing its thing!