Greymouth — Westport — Murchison. 19th November,2020

Left Dunollie Greymouth at 8.00am to drive up the west coast to Westport then onto Murchison for the night.

The below photos are taken up the coast after we left Donollie, Greymouth  on our way to Westport. As we left quite early there was a lot of sea fog around.  We stayed on the coast for about three quarters of the way before we went inland up to Westport..

See how the above first three photos are shaded along the coast as the sun hasn’t come up over the hills .

We have now arrived at Punakaiki. Punakaki coast has created the distinctive Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point with their spectacular blowholes and tunnels that can be visited via a short boardwalk from the road. 

The blow hole but it decided not to blow while we were passing by.

The layers in the sandstone gives it their name Pancake rocks.

Looking across the Pancakes south down the coast.

I found this between the Pancakes

We have gone further up the coast and as you can see we have been climbing giving us very good views. Great weather and not windy.

After winding inland for awhile we turned off to go to the coast again to Tauranga bay were the Seal Colony is. We walked up the boardwalk to a few lookout platforms to try and spot the seals and their Cubs. Seal pups are born from November to late December.  And usually stay with their mothers on the rocks for a month before they begin heading out to sea.

This area is where the seals lie on the rocks. They blend in very well to the rocks. It’s like playing find the seals. At first you can’t see any then the eyes seem to adjust to spot them. They are there. But not as many as we expected.

Closing in you can see one in front of the log of wood.  You can pick out this log shape in the above picture.

Walking back down the track this is the beach that they come ashore for a sunbath but none today.

We have now left Tauranga Bay continuing up to Westport we stop here at Carter’s Bay and made lunch. A very long Sandy bay. This is looking North but it’s just as long looking the other way south. Seems to go forever

We have now arrived at Westport a very clean tidy town. I don’t think that we were expecting this coming from the very old Greymouth. A really nice town.

Had to go out to the boat harbour to see the fishing boats

Coming back out of town looking up into the hills it’s really black but it’s been beautiful weather all up the coast.

The town clock.

Now left Westport enjoyed that town. We are now on our last leg up to Murchison through the Buller Gorge. What a scenic drive just loved it. Followed the Buller River all the way to Murchison. Couldn’t stop taking photos as you will see below.😄

This is a one way stretch of road cut out in the side of the rock cliff.

Just moving away from the river for awhile but do meet up with it again.

Another piece of prime real estate. I love these old ruins.

We have now arrived at the Murchison Motorhome Park. Fantastic camp site all new and modern. Spectacular setting.

Our back doors open right out. A beautiful spot looking over to the hills.

The Buller River is still with us flowing down behind the camp.

A bit of carving in the grounds.

We arrived here about 3.00pm after leaving Greymouth at 8.00am. It’s been a very adventurous day with the beautiful west coast, and just as spectacular drive through the Buller Gorge up to Murchison. Had a great day very enjoyable. Off to Kaiteriteri tomorrow morning. Hope this weather lasts