Coal and gold rush: Māwhera at the mouth of the Gray River

Māwhera or Greymouth - both place names have the same meaning - wide estuary of the Māwheranui or Gray River. A really, really small town on the west coast of the South Island with around 6000 inhabitants but an intense history as a mining town with hard coal and gold. We stayed at the Copthorne Hotel in Greymouth, from the outside it looks like the yellow high-rise block in Damm only in blue-grey... inside it's really good, clean and the rooms are spacious: it fits!

We took a break in the really sleepy little town of Reefton, after winding our way from Nelson through the river valleys of the Buller River and later the Gray River in the Nelson Lake National Park and the Victoria Forest Park - a very attractive, densely forested park and mountainous landscape.

What brought us here to Greymouth? I have no idea, the child had chosen this little town to stay for two nights and when asked vehemently he suddenly didn't remember anything. In any case, it can't be the gold rush, it's long over (1864/1865)...and he probably won't be looking for hard coal either. Be that as it may...it will still be nice.

Greymouth - small as it is - is a major railway junction and the western terminus of the route across the New Zealand Alps to Christchurch on the east coast. From the train conductor Pitti something for railway fans: the track width in NZ is 1067 mm, the standard gauge in Europe is 1435 mm. Why did the Kiwis do it differently? In order to expand the rail network more cheaply - Aldi-Pitti's heart is smiling!

The west coast of the South Island between Westport and Fiordland National Park is a narrow strip that struggles with the wild force of the ocean. Hardly any beaches, but lots of jungle, rocky coasts and countless rivers that flow into the sea. The few beaches of gray-black sand are covered with pebbles, rocks and driftwood and are hardly suitable for swimming. The temperatures aren't inviting either - despite the sunshine it's around 16 - 17 degrees. But the harsh nature is definitely an eye opener!

Windshield wiper instead of indicator counter: 83

Addendum 1: Dear Mike...will it work with my compass this time? West coast, sunset? It would be so great!

Addendum 2: Before I forget, if I happen to find gold here, I don't have to thank you anymore, if not: Thank you "FRIZZ Das Magazin" ! Really thank you very much!

coming soon

PIDISI