Westport again & Reefton

I think we'll do this one!

After parking up at the NZMCA Park in Westport again it was onto the bikes to do the really nice circular cycleway through the very windy but flat mountain-bike-like Kawatiri beach reserve track which leads on to North Beach and the river trail to Shingle Beach, the Lost Lagoon and across the floating basin boardwalk and back to the beach reserve.

Follow me. I think I know where I'm going!

An easy, great trail with lots of different things to see including weka and the lone young fisherman, on the purpose built constructed wharf, who had caught 8 kahawai there the previous day.

I know where I'm fishing tomorrow!

Once back at the bus and settling in we had a cheeky weka come right into the bus to visit us. Unfortunately I was too slow in grabbing the camera before Len had shooed it out!

Westport has a nice feeling with it's main street being enhanced by the many colourful hanging flower baskets and the old buildings with rather an art deco look.
Also I have loved the abundance of blue and white agapanthus which thrive around the countryside (& in town) often having beautiful  hydrangeas interspersed amongst them. A great show even though we are not meant to be encouraging agapanthus.

Before leaving Westport Len walked out to the fishing jetty that we had seen the previous day for a spin thinking around low tide would be a good time. However he soon saw that it was a high tide spot with the water being somewhat scarce below! So it was up-anchors and on the road through the picturesque Buller Gorge with it's tree-lined wide river views to Reefton well-known for both Coal and gold mining.

We found Golf Links Road before we reached Reefton so first stop was after a right turn to the Golf Course - a 12 holer on which we did the full 18. We really liked this course and both played well - it had trees, bunkers and also drains across some of the fairways but overall was in quite good condition - a nice situation in a bit of a basin with hills surrounding it. The clubhouse was closed and it was the first time we have played at a course where the toilets were locked but this time there were a few others playing, not just us. They included a couple from Germany who were also in a motorhome.

The German couple had an unusual motorhome. 

After golf we continued on into Reefton, buying some blue cod and chips, which I have to say weren't a patch on the Kaikoura takeaways but it was a treat to have a night off cooking.  Through town and a little way down the road is the Racecourse where NZMCA members can stay for just $2 each per night. No amenities available except fresh water but  an easy walk into town and very good value. Probably about 10 vans parked there for the night.

Reefton is a quaint little village with a nice feeling about it.

Reefton main street now.....

...... and then. 

You feel like you are going back in time with the old buildings and the  history evident around the town. It can boast of having the first electric light in the Southern Hemisphere and it is rich in it's history of both gold and coal mining. After our first night at the Racecourse we wandered into town, treated ourselves to a coffee and a very nice fruit and nut slice at Cafe Reef and then did the very good 40 minute Bottled Lighting Power House loop walk along the river, crossing the swingbridge midway.

Should have parked it in a proper car park!

L snapping T snapping swing bridge. 

After having a little lunch back at the bus (and with some encouragement from Len as I was feeling I should get this blog up to date first) we walked back through town again to connect up with the Pipe Line and Tram Track loop walk which we really enjoyed with it's occasional great views from up high overlooking the Inangahua river, road and the township.

View from Pipeline track 

Come and help me hold it up!

The connecting track from the pipeline to the tramline is steep with lots of steps but once that is completed it is an easy walk back with a bit more birdlife than we often hear in the bush. The path which is quite narrow in places was carpeted with beech leaves with lots of ferns and holly about too. The bell birds and fantail were simultaneously singing / chirping beautifully really close to us and we also saw a couple of Kereru.

After completing this loop we continued on to the Reservoir loop from which there were also excellent views looking down over the township.  A good 2 hours altogether I think and I'm really pleased we did it. Back at camp we joined another couple, Des and Ruth, from Hamilton, who are building a house at Te Aroha, for a happy Happy Hour.