Day 9

The trip from Greymouth to Westport along the surf-pounded coastline offers fine Tasman Sea views; so fine that Lonely Planet’s Blue List dubbed the West Coast highway one of the planet’s 10 best road trips. Fill up in Runanga if you’re low on petrol – there’s no fuel until Westport, 92km away, and the next ATM after Greymouth is also in Westport.  The main attractions along this stretch are the geologically fascinating Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.  The coast is awash with iron clad sand and at times the road runs hundreds of feet above the thunderous Tasman sea. This road juts inland at times through beautiful untouched forests but mostly follows the roars and sights of the sea.

We have been on the Pacific Coast Highway in California and The Road to Hana in Hawaii, but his route is every bit, if not more, beautiful!

The blow holes create beautiful rainbows as the tide surges in and up through the holes.

Cape Foul Wind seal colony.

We love this signage.  Leaves nothing to the imagination!

Red deer farms are very prevalent throughout New Zealand.  Not only are they sold for meat, but deer velvet is renowned to have incredible healing and medicinal properties.  Korea is a big market for the deer velvet.

After a long days drive, a relaxing dinner riverside in Blenheim.  Tomorrow we are on a wine tour in the most famous wine region in New Zealand.