3 March 2013 Colac Bay to Te Anau

Left Colac Bay at 9.30am and went back into Riverton to have a look around as when we passed through yesterday afternoon we were too tired to stop just wanted to get settled into our place at Colac Bay 13kms past Riverton along the coast.

Riverton is Southlands oldest community. It was established by whalers in the 1830s. I was surprised how nice the area was. I was probably expecting a really old, possibly a run down town.
The homes around the waterfront were kept tidy and some really nice new modern homes, a mixture of permanent homes and holiday homes.
There are two rivers that run together to form the harbour, which is a fishing port, before they run out to sea. Very tidal. Long sweeping beaches along the coast.

Riverton Harbour above and below.

Many original cottages have survived in good condition since their construction in the 1860s. How would you like to live in this, on this cold southern coast.

We left Riverton about 10.30am and continued west along the southern coast. Dam cold down here in our jeans and sweaters the last couple of days.
We arrived at a Orepuki where they found gold in the 1860s but the very fine dust proved too difficult to extract. The town is at the eastern end of a very big bay called Te Waewae. Very exposed to the southern ocean and big waves. The trees along this coast are  very wind swept from the very strong winds in this area.

Tee Waewae Bay taken just past Orepuki

Turned inland at this point heading up to Te Anau, passing through Tuatapere known as the 'hole in the bush' as in the early days it was a saw milling town for bushmen cutting their way through the lowland forests.

Further on we stopped at the Clifden suspension bridge  but couldn't walk over it as it was under repair.

Clifden Suspension bridge

The river bank beside the bridge

Near by was this old house. I love photos of these old buildings that have been left to ruin. 

As we drove further inland got into the real Southland scenery getting into the mountains which we hadn't seen on the trip until today. This is the part I love, the mountains.

By now the weather was improving and the cloud was going and it was beautiful and sunny by the time we reached Manapouri. Just looked beautiful. Had our lunch beside the lake.

Lunch looking over Lake Manapouri

Lake Manapouri above and below
 

We arrived at our accom Assure Amber Court Motel. Very nice. An older style motel but has been done up very well. We have the nicest unit room 6 which is the end unit  giving you more windows to catch the sun.   40inch TV and new beds which proved to be very comfy.

Massive bed

Our end unit

Does anyone know the name name of this beautiful tree outside our unit. Each berry is about 8mm across.

After settling in we went out to see a walking suspension bridge at Rainbow reach the start of many tramping walks through the beautiful red and mountain beech trees. We only walked a 100m in to have a look.

River that flows under the bridge.

Further down the river we went down to the boat ramp and watched a chap fishing but didn't see him catch anything.

Have a boat trip organised to Milford Sound tomorrow so keeping fingers cross that the weather is good. Good when we arrived in Te Anau early this afternoon but the cloud came in but  then cleared again. As showers are expected tomorrow morning we have opted to go on the midday boat trip as the rain is meant to be passing through by then. We have been told that there is only 25 people booked on the boat at this stage. It holds 300 but things could change tomorrow but not likely.