We don’t get away very often. That’s the joys of being animal owners, with this time of year being especially busy. Both of us work long hours and we have commitments in our community most weekends and Kayden has his needs too. This past weekend though we were able to arrange a night away … Karamea here we come. I’d booked a room at the Last Resort, Kayden was at his friend’s place and Laurie and I got organized at home and we were off.

The drive over the Karamea Bluff is familiar to us. Some find it challenging with lots of corners and hills to navigate. I’d been up for work earlier in the week, so this time Laurie drove. The day was sunny and warm. We’d recently had two days of heavy rain so foliage on the trees was shiny and vibrant. We parked up at Glasseye Creek. For ages we have wanted to check out a track we had heard about. Apparently you can walk over the ridge to the Rough and Tumble River… there used to be an old pack trail, but knowledge of it is sketchy at best.

Parked up at Glasseye Creek on the Karamea Bluff.

We ducked into the scrub and were pleasantly surprised to find a well formed track. We followed it until a small water crossing would have meant wet feet, ahhh … not today!

In the Glasseye

We have since looked at maps a figured out where we think the track goes. I can feel a summer adventure on the horizon!

We arrived in Karamea late afternoon and settled in for the night. Dinner was at the Resort restaurant, a really nice meal. Laurie and I had an earlish night and made the most of having TV in our room, woke early and watched the All Blacks play England. Not an outstanding game but a treat for us nonetheless.

We got up to a pearler of a day and after a yummy breakfast eaten outside we decided to go to Kohaihai.

View from our outside table at the Last Resort.

We walked the beginning of the Heaphy Track to Scott’s lookout. It was a gentle uphill wander. There were plenty of folk about on both feet and mountain bikes. It’s so good seeing people of all ages and nationalities enjoying the outside. Once we got to the saddle the view was spectacular, looking North up the Coast towards Kahurangi Point and down into Scott’s Beach.

Scott’s Beach Lookout

On the way back to our vehicle we detoured along the Nikau Track. What a special treat this short walkway was. So much variety of flora and many birds to accompany us. I took so many photos but have limited my self to three!

Nikau Track – Kohaihai

Crossing the Kohaihai swing bridge we looked for white bait and were rewarded with a few that had escaped the fisher’s nets on the river.

From the zig zag track we looked down over the sea and then wandered down and enjoyed a snack on the beach.

All too soon, it was time to head for home. Our dogs would need a run, chooks letting out and goats needed feeding. We had a great night, we felt rested, renewed and our batteries charged up ready for new challenges.

Thanks Karamea … you are a very special place

Our driveway and road home from the Karamea Bluff.