A traveller's reflection: 2014 New Zealand Caravan Trip: 07 Westport – Pohara Beach

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win..."

(The lighthouse at Cape Foulwind)

Day 7: Thursday, 13 November 2014
Route: Westport – Pohara Beach – Farewell Spit - Motueka

Today I am a year older. Alhamdulillah...

It's my 59th birthday and I am going to spend the day traveling to the northern most point of South Island New Zealand.

(Taking the shorter way to the Seal Colony)

(Still a long way to the destination)

(A nice view of the coastlines)

(A 15-minute leisurely walk)

(A seal in the water)

(Seal enthusiasts, taking pictures from afar)

(Rock formations along the track)

(Taking a rest, and a photo opportunity)

We left the campsite at 09:00hrs and drove towards Cape Foulwind to visit the Seal Colony and Cape Foulwind light house. After a few photo shots we drove on and stopped at Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, the longest suspended bridge in New Zealand.

(The lighthouse perched on top of the hill)

(Beautiful colours to brighten the landscape)

(Driving through Salem High Country)

(Slow moving rivers and ox-bow lakes)

In Motueka we had a late lunch at McD. We decided to drive further to Farewell Spit, the northern most point of mainland South Island. We drove carefully and slowly as the road is narrow, winding and steep made dangerous with strong crosswinds. We made a stop at Hawkes Lookout Track in Kahurangi National Park to have a good view of the valley from the top of the mountain. On the way we went to Pohara Beach to check out the campsite but decided to book a site by phone in Motueka instead.

(Another long walk in the wood)

(A Māori heritage site)

(A good view of the valley and fault)

(A photo with a panoramic view)

The road to Farewell Spit was winding and steep too. On the way we stopped at a few lookout points for the scenic view from Takaka Hill. We reached the Farewell Spit around 19:00hrs but it was still bright and spent a while for photo shoots. Farewell Spit is New Zealand’s longest sand spit and a nature reserve for bird sanctuary and wetland with diverse rare vegetation. We took the same route back to Motueka as it is the one and only access road to Takaka, Callingwood and the Spit.