West Coast

We left Abel Tasman stopping at Wainui Falls on our way out - beautiful, but so cold that only Nigel was up for a swim! Heading southwest through the Buller Gorge to the west coast, we freedom camped on the beach in Westport and the boys built another driftwood and sand shelter. The road from Westport to Greymouth was an impressive coastal drive. It reminded us of the Oregon coast and the weather was similar to Oregon's as well - grey and blustery. We stopped to watch the terrific blowholes and crashing waves on the strange, layered rocks at Punakaiki -the pancake rocks, before driving south of Hokitika to camp on Lake Mahinapua, where the boys went swimming.