Impulse Stops

When we travel, we tend to only have a vague idea of what we intend to see or do. This trip was no different, with our only concrete plans being where we booked accommodation as we booked early to avoid higher prices and fewer options due to summer peaks.

So off we went to Christchurch, picked up our car and got some breakfast (where we discovered that at Christchurch hipster cafés you can order a burger with a pink bun!), and set off towards the West Coast. As we headed towards the Alps, we had a panoramic view of the mountains across the plains, with the obligatory small towns. We even got to drive through Springfield, New Zealand! As we entered the mountains we came to a spot called Castle Hill and decided to stop. The area is a fascinating group of limestone formations from the ice age. Some rocks show drawings thought to be from the Waitaha, the first known group of people to pass through the area. Due to an approaching rain storm we did not stick around too long, but we did enjoy a few minutes of climbing through the boulders.

Another chance stop was in Greymouth, when we saw a sign for a WWII pill box. It was out by the beach on the edge of town, and was carefully camouflaged by the surrounding terrain. It appears to be part of a Coastal Defense plan from 1942-44 in fear of Japanese invasion.

View from the pill box

Support pillars for the original train bridge

Part of the bridge, now resting along the river

Mining memorial

The current train station

A third unexpected but enjoyable stop was the town of Havelock. It is a quaint little town at the edge of the Marlborough Sounds. Town center has the smallest police station I have ever seen, and a combined flea market and museum. It also has allowed me to add a Havelock mail run to my bucket list. You can book a seat on the mail boat and get a tour through the Sounds.