B and G in New Zealand: Golden Bay 2013

The driveway to our house is about ½ mile from the road. From our perch on the hill, we view the fields below separated by trees with grazing sheep and cattle and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park on the other side of the valley. There are mountains behind us as well.

Ever feel like you're being watched?

We revisited Wharariki Beach with its massive arched rock islands and caves. We took the long walk to the beach this time. There were sheep grazing along the path and we passed two fresh water ponds with ducks and black swans.

Kaihoka Lakes Scenic Reserve has two fresh water lakes with thousands of nikau palm trees. It is like a tropical jungle when you walk the path from one lake to the other.

Pupu Hydro Walkway

This is a two hour walk zig-zagging up a steep hill to reach the water race (a manmade feat of engineering that is more than 3 km long). This water race was originally built for gold mining, but this water race and the pipe which drops the water 123 m down the hill now generates electricity for area residents. The walk along the water race takes 30 minutes and leads you to the stream source.

Water Race at Pupu Hydro Walkway

Te Waikoropupu Springs

These springs contain some of the clearest water ever measured. The water bubbles up from the caverns below to the surface at a rate of 14,000 liters per second, that can fill 40 bathtubs per second.

The Grove Scenic Reserve

Water has shaped these limestone cliffs into very interesting shapes at this scenic reserve. The tentacle-like roots of the rata trees hang down the cliffs long distances. Nikau palms are also a part of the Reserve.