The Long-White-Cloud Spectacular__NZ South Island 2012

A quick dogleg onto Tophouse Rd. in search for a well-deserved beer at NZ’s smallest bar and most-picturesque pub ends in tears…the bloody joint is closed today!! BUMMER!!!



















Nothing for it, the beer’s gotta wait. A quick blurt through the sand-fly riddled St. Arnaud ….







…following the Buller River for a bit…







…..and on to the turnoff to Lake Rotoroa.








After nearly 2 days of solid dirt and gravel roads, this sign stirs a bit of doubt.
Should we, shouldn’t we….petrol, time of day, daylight left, the need to find a bed for the night before the day is out etc….it all swirls around in the grey-matter, trying to weigh common sense against the urge of discovery.
Let’s go and have a look, it’s only 12 or 15k’s through, anyway.








It all proves a total fizzer… granny on a skateboard could’ve done it.
Or I've could’ve done it on this and cut the grass at the same time.






The “hairiest” of the Braeburn Track is a concreted ford with 8” of water, a bit of a laugh after the last couple of days.

Most of the Mangles Valley Road is sealed, winding its picturesque way through lush farmland….












…into Murchison. A sign in the paddocks before town gives directions to the Mataki-Motel, located well off the main drag, which proves a lucky choice.



Great folks running the place…and they put us up in some excellent digs.
Everything clean, modern and generously sized, with plenty of room out front to lube chains, cable-tie bits back into place what’ve come adrift, re-rig the luggage and do a few little repairs.







No idea where Bernard dug up this one…but that’s a super-rare find in NZ…an ORIGINAL Kiwi!
(edit: can that, it's a common Weka!)












A night, like those before it…laughs, tall stories, burning faces, hands in the air describing the acrobatic exploits of the day, more laughs… it just doesn’t get better than that.



And this one definitely went into the doggie-bag, eh Dave?



The weather forecast is promising rain for the north for the next few days…but who gives a fat-rat's-bum? That’s tomorrow…

Thanks for this report Pete and crew. It's fantastic. I've toured in a motorhome and would love to go back and do it by bike sometime. Till then, keep the story comin'

Crustyvarmint said:

Thanks for this report Pete and crew. It's fantastic. I've toured in a motorhome and would love to go back and do it by bike sometime. Till then, keep the story comin'

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Happy you're enjoying it, mate

If you like, pop a link into the Ranges Uly forum, too.


Didn't even make half the 36er-list , so we've gotta go back. I hate unfinished business, particularly of that sort of kind

Excellent!!! Keep it coming.

Jeff

Some pics from me.

Nice shots too thanks Nev.

Jeff

glitch said:

The “hairiest” of the Braeburn Track is a concreted ford with 8” of water, a bit of a laugh after the last couple of days.

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Maybe a little bit slippery ????? ehhh b

Your all pictures are fantastic!!
Where is the next plane to Christcurch ???? ;-))))

glitch said:

No idea where Bernard dug up this one…but that’s a super-rare find in NZ…an ORIGINAL Kiwi!

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No such luck, I'm afraid, it's just a common old weka or woodhen - often mistaken for the kiwi as it looks similar and is also flightless.
Unlike the kiwi, it is bold and will approach within hands-reach if food is offered.

Thought Tassie Dave would like to know this.