Whanganui Inlet

Whanganui  Inlet - I'd never even heard of it!

 

Patarau River south of Whanganui Inlet

 

...the beach at Patarau River

 

on the road to Anatori, South of Paturau River

Whitebaiters at Anatori

 

coastal view between Anatori and Paturau River

 

road beside the inlet

 

 

Lake Otuhie, from under cave overhang

Kaihoka Lakes

A hot, sunny day and what an amazing place!  Half way between Collingwood and the start of Farewell Spit there's a turnoff to the west which leads to Whanganui Inlet, a big, tidal, lagoon-like harbour.  We went exploring in the car.  First we went around the north side of the inlet and walked (15 mins each way) to the Kaihoka Lakes.  The walk went through thick groves of Nikau Palms and the lakes were clear and beautiful.  The background was mountains and bush, the only sounds tuis and frogs.

Then we drove to the southern end of the Inlet, the narrow (unsealed - of course)road winding through mountainous terrain - part of the Kahurangi National Park.  At the coast there's a river mouth and sandy beach and a free, privately-owned area for camping.  There were a couple in a bus there fishing.

We drove further along the coast with sand dunes on the seaward side and a station with cattle, sheep and a peacock which shrieked at us when we slowed down for sheep on the road.  The end of the road is called Anatori where a shanty town of caravans provided lodgings for a group of whitebaiters.  It is possible to ford the river and continue on a four-wheel drive track but we didn't. 

We retraced our steps a bit and took a walk to Lake Otuhie.  If you're ever here - don't bother with it!  We had to walk through a ford, negotiate dungy paddocks and muddy drainage ditches before we got on a bush trail to the lake.  Which was ok - and the cliffs around the valley were quite amazing - but on the whole, probably not worth getting muddy shoes for.

We drove back to Collingwood for supplies but there isn't a store there, though there is a takeaway that sells some food, etc.  But not cold meat, salad stuff, feta cheese or in fact anything we needed.  There are no stores at any of the settlements here, last shops were Takaka, though there is petrol at Collingwood.  So we will have to take bacon sandwiches on our walk tomorrow - what hardship!  back at our freedom camping spot for showers, wine and reading...

Not sure why these went down here...Whanganui Inlet

café Tangaroa - I think Malcolm's socks drying on the wipers just add to the ambience!