Meg and I try each year to find “off the beaten” path locations in New Zealand. This year’ we found Karamea, at the end of the road on the West Coast of South Island. We flew into Nelson and rented a car. We discovered a delightful little garden restaurant in Wakefield, enjoyed the New Zealand’s longest walkway suspension bridge in the Buller River gorge, and drove up an over a twisty mountain road to reach Karamea.
I had booked a room at the Riverstone, a delightful large unit that overlooked the Karamea river and wide valley, with the mountains of the Kahurangi National Forest in the distance. Hiking a day on the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s “great walks” had lured us here. Starting along the Tasman Sea and running fifty miles through tussock and lush rain forest, it is highly rated for its rugged, diverse beauty. We only had time for a day hike to Scotts Beach, but that was a wonderful introduction. And we also enjoyed the curious and friendly weka birds.
