2021 South Island Trip, Murchison, Westport, Charleston and Punakaiki.

Well it’s a new year, we are so lucky to be living in New Zealand. Apart from overseas travel NZ is pretty much living a normal life while other parts of the world are in challenging and tough times with the Covid 19 Pandemic.

This could change at any time and we appreciate our fortunate position, so with this in mind we take off on another South Island tiki tour, because we can!

So off we head at 4pm on a Wednesday afternoon. 

Murchison is only 90 minutes away, and quite a scenic drive.
My early morning walks are always well worth it, taking photos as I go

Murchison area School......nice and colourful

 Choosing to head towards Westport this is the famous Hawks Crag road, which is an interesting feature of this road.

This roadside flower is called Praxiss....I asked before in a previous visit

 Another mural, this one in Westport.

We parked up out at the Westport beach (free) I get the bike off and explore the back streets.

Also a new cycle way the other side of the river to Carters.

But first on the way to town I find the old Cattle Wharf.

 A locals front gate...hmmm.... they must have clean air and some rain around these parts

The new cycle way is impressive and an easy ride

Thru a mix of farmland....

With impressive new buildings along the track

And an inquisitive bystander

Through lush native lowlands bush.

Here we are at Carters beach...nothing for it but to do a Ueee ... and head back.

The evening sunset heralds the night.

      And the morning reveals

 After a good busking session outside the New World supermarket we headed south to Charleston.

This is Constant Bay very picturesque and tricked many ship that came to grief.

Here I am in Flagstaff hill taking a shot of the south side of the bay

This shot is of people on that south side......I have a pretty amazing zoom on this new little point and shoot.

Truemans Track, also always worth a stop.

If I wait long enough........

 Too late...it’s been and gone!

This (I think is an older Piwakawaka (Fantail) as he sat for quite a while so I could get this photo.



Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.....certainly a tourist destination...at the moment for local tourists.

The birds were having a field day fishing.

The local family of Weka’s at McMillans road were very tame coming right inside the bus.

Catching Rig for supper...and no this was not a rigged shot...it did happen!

That’s all folks...till the next blog, Stay safe and be Creative.

Jimu and Christine.