North West Coast, New Zealand South Island – April 17th – 18th, 2017

Perhaps you’re asking yourself: How did we know where to camp (if not, too bad, I’m answering your fictitious question anyway)… well, New Zealand in all its glory, created an app that tells you where you can camp with the type of campervan you are driving. Since we sprung for a fully self-contained van (equipped with a grey water tank and portable toilet that you take outside to use), we were able to camp for free most of the time in random parking lots throughout the country. One such parking lot was at the end of a dirt road which dead ends at the coast. When we arrived, we were confused to see a plastic rope strung across the road. Assuming it was a temporary barrier for livestock, we took it down, drove through, and restrung the rope. What we did not anticipate was it was a temporary barrier to contain horses that pulled a legit covered wagon. Yes, I am not shitting you, a kooky, barefoot, prospector-esque man and his barefoot hillbilly daughters were camped out in an old covered wagon pulled by two horses, while the third horse was ridden alongside the wagoneers. Prospector Joe (that may or may not be his name) was quite friendly, so we got the whole scoop and even saw them traveling on the paved road the next day while several companions walked on foot like they were on the Oregon Trail (just like the computer game – gotta watch out for dysentery, Indians, snakes, and hunger!).

Coastline camping with covered wagon pioneers.

The next day, we did several short hikes along the route south:

1. Fail. One km in the trail was closed thanks to the earthquake several years back. Thanks a lot earthquake.
2. Fail. The tide was too high to explore all the coast at Cape Foulwind (for the record, the air was not foul).
   

   

   Charming creek walkway and Cape Foulwind.
3. Success! A hidden gem (literally hidden in a local’s backyard)! As instructed by Scott, we parked along the road, walked over an old historic bridge, checked out an abandoned mystery tunnel, then meandered through somebody’s lawn to a surprise massive Maori sea cave! Super cool – see the pics!
   

   

   Maori sea cave.
4. A quick walk down to a beautiful cove along the Truman Track.
   

   

   The Truman Track.
5. Small boring cave with a cool sun beam coming through. This was not recommended by Scott, should have known it would be dull. It’s possible our cave standards have been far too inflated for our own good.
6. Sometimes places are touristy for a reason. Pancake rocks is definitely one of those places! There were cool pancake rock structures, blowholes, a huge surge pool, crashing waves, and a hole righteously named, “sudden sound” for the sudden sound that emanated from the hole when the water rushed in. Although we visited at high tide, the surge was low that day, making the blow holes and crashing waves not quite as spectacular as normal. Oh well, can’t have it all.

After six short hikes, not to mention five full days without a shower, it was likely time to spare our fellow campers (and each other) from the pungent smell we had acquired. Consequently, we stopped for showers at a campground and finished the evening off at a local brewery where we enjoyed comfy leather couches, a fire, and some quality beer/cider. Another amazing day in paradise.  

Pancake rocks and a well deserved beverage.