To the West Coast

You can tell its summer holiday season when you see a family arrive at the motel with their boat and six bikes - zoom in to see some kiwi ingenuity at play... that's one way to adapt a boat trailer!  Gorgeous day for a slow drive across to Westport via Cable Bay and Nelson.   

We had to stop and admire an Argosy air freighter on the outskirts of  Renwick  - this one allegedly spotted UFO off the Kaikoura coast some years ago when it was running freight to the Chatham Islands. 

We left the dry Marlborough valley to head in land and start making our way to the West Coast. 

Onwards towards Cable Bay with a quick stop at the Pelorus Bridge - the sign warning off jumpers was very necessary as the water levels looked so low - yikes.

A short walk up some steps and you could admire the beauty of Cable Bay - where the original power cable connected the North and South Islands.  We were there at low tide so the estuary tide was out but on full tide the little causeway connects the mainland with Pippin Island. It's a magical spot and a beautiful day. 

Lunch in Nelson and a stop at the Nelson yacht club. So many holiday makers out enjoying the sunshine at Tahunanui beach and the boulder bank. 

Inland towards the west coast. We stopped at the top of Hope Saddle and the air had a lovely vanilla smell - the manuka was in full bloom and the little native honey bees where buzzing around - lovely.

Driving through the upper Buller Gorge is like driving in a green tunnel - the trees seem to cover the road and the foliage is beautiful Southern Beech with a soft delicate canopy.

Every so often you pop out of the green tunnel to be met by stunning glimpses of the Buller river with the odd fisherman spotted up stream. Crystal clear waters.

A few one lane bridges still on the go, Winston Peters needs to visit the South Island after he's finished the one lane bridges up north :) 

Little known fact that there was once a uranium mine in the area - we stopped at what was once the site of the uranium works - great spot, right on the river but it wasn't successful and went bust pretty quickly. The little cafe is for sale, it will be a hard sell.

The road workers back in the day did a brilliant job of carving the road into the side of the Buller Gorge - in places it's one lane only and is such a pretty drive but you have to keep your eyes on the road! 

In the gorge below is Uranium Point - I wasn't quick enough to snap a pic of the road sign. The mountains on either side of the gorge are Mt Cassin and Mt Jacobsen - named for the two prospectors who discovered radioactive material there. Fun fact was that they were issued with NZ's first commercial helicopter license in 1955.... there were great hopes for the Buller region and the West Coast but there wasn't enough to mine properly  and it all went belly up. Now hikers and fisho's can enjoy the gorgeous scenery. 

Westcoast update next time folks - a fun day driving today.