South Island Tour 2011Wharariki Beach
Thursday 17 March
For those who did not go on the Farewell Spit Tour, the day was their's to do as they pleased.
A bit of a wander first thing revealed the remains of the wharf from when this was a mining community.
After a coffee at the Spit Café it was time for a wander up the hill.
This is overlooking the promontory at the entrance to the Puponga Estuary.
Port Puponga.
While at the café one of the staff said there was a great ride out to the end of Wharariki Road.
At the end you throw your bike over the fence on to the farm track and cycle for a couple
more km, then walk down to the southern end of Wharariki Beach. She said there were some
pretty good rock formations, and we would not be disappointed.Gaye said she would like to go to and, just then the Tour Bus came in. Lesley very kindly said
we could borrow Ruby for the ride. For this Ruby was much more suitable than the 520.
Mack scored Ruby and Gaye carried on on her Tri Cross, and did very well on it.
The cockpit view from Ruby.
The path was rideable all the way on Ruby ....
..... but was a bit of a challenge in parts on the Tri Cross - as, indeed, it would have been on the 520.
One of the several dune lakes.
The farm track meanders on.
Lunchtime.
Our lunch stop.
Riding the track.
Looks like the wind gives the manuka a hard time.
Mack found the track to the beach and Gaye decided to wait with the bikes. Actually she
did not want to walk past the grazing cattle. Looking at the sign, she said, "So you'll be back in 10
minutes." Mack said, "More like 15 - 20." 30 minutes later he knew he was in deep doo doo.But the rock formations were incredible and he had the beach to himself. It was magic.
Archway Island.
Off-shore and on-shore arches.
Archway through an archway.
Beach Rocks
Hare today - gone tomorrow.
Photos : Mack
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