2 Geckos Travelling Australia: November 2026

Pulled up at the Shenandoah roadside stop at the T-intersection to check my map. Decided to turn right and head 10km down to Maruia Falls. Lots of nice trees and forestry areas as we travel beside the Maruia River.

Pulled into a freedom camping area and viewing area for the falls. Lots of bumble bees about. Impressive. Strong volume of water over it, lots of logs and sadly a few deaths.

Walked down the path to the picnic area and then out onto the rocks to view the waterfall. Big logs are swirling the the strong river current.

Back up to the camper for lunch in the car park. Lots of people have pulled in but all gone again by the time we finished our lunch.

Still overcast as we headed back up to where we turned off by the Buller River. Continued on - quick view of the Buller River as we continue towards Murchison.

We turn away from the river for a bit then back again at a bend in the river. Another big rock wall has been secured.

Lots of corn fields and cleared forestry hills.

Big open plain surrounded by mountains then we cross the Matakitaki River into Murchison.

Through the town, cute church.

Around to Mataki Willowgrove walk at the site of an old bridge.

Heard a buzzing sound and looked up at a ‘plane’.

Walked along the river edge. Lovely flowers.

Back to town to check out the markets and museum. Lots of local info and photos, like this one of Hawks Crag in 1890s.

Great info on 1929 earthquake and how the Maruia Falls was created.

A memorial is outside to those who lost their lives in the 1929 earthquake.

Murchison is 150 years old this year.

Sad story about a chap who tried to blow up the Courthouse.

Chatted with lady selling possum skins - got the usual, you are Aussies, take them home with you. Virginia used to skin the possums back in the day.

Spits of rain as we headed off. Interesting ridges on the hill.

Continued along with the Buller River on our left. Up the valley and across the Buller River. A very pretty drive.

A big bumble bee hit the windscreen with a very loud thump. Must have had a hard hat on!

Around the bend and we are back beside the Buller River. Then across the Owen River and into pine plantations.

Back in narrow gorge again. The Buller River flows down from the snow ski area. Big picnic area over the other bridge. Nat Park camp at a cross-road to the ski fields of St Arnaud and big lake.

We stopped at a roadside stop and read about the railway that ran the length of the South Island. There is a walk to follow too.

Walked over to the old bridge. Memorial to plane that crashed into Mt Hope.

Headed off to follow the rail walk. It started to rain as we neared the tunnel. Through tunnel then up and around the hill. Spotted a cute little bird (I think it is a fan-tail) and managed to get a couple of photos as he flittered about. Back to the tunnel and over the bridge back to the camper. Time for a cuppa.

We continued on the same road northward with mountains one side and the river the other.

Opens up a big at Glenhope. Cross the Hope River - we no longer have a river to follow. Sheep pastures. Climbed up hill to Hope Saddle LO but the road is closed for the lookout.

Down the other side. Steep and winding but nice and wide for a change. Through forest plantations. One hill bare and others with small trees then lots of big trees.

It goes on for a long while then back to brown grass and sheep. With pines high up the mountains.

Some big bluffs exposed as we go through farms of Motupiko. Shower of rain. Quaint church and not sure what this crop was.

Over the river - not sure of its name.

Along to an intersection and lone building. Across the road is a memorial for the Great War and WW2. The SH6 we had been follows goes south. We will go north on the Motueka Valley Highway to Tapawera.

More of the wire frames then a sign telling us it is hops they are growing.

Into the village of Tapawera. Gateway of Kahurangi National Park, explored by Thomas Brunner with his Maori guide, E Kehu.

More info about the railway etc. Lovely mural too.

Continued on through apple orchards. Left the valley, up through grassy hills and down into the next valley. Stanley Brook - farms.

Through a narrow area then we reached the Motueka River which flows to the north coast.

More pine trees as we continue by the river. Then more hops then apples and corn. Sawmill - making the boxes for the apples maybe? More orchards of apples and pears.

Narrow winding road by the river.

Left the river and onto a straight road between walls of hedges for more fruit farms and rural properties as we near Motueka which is by the water. Town clock.

Onto Old Wharf Road through town and down to the beach. Along the house-lined street to the wharf area where there is a freedom camping area. It is packed but one car came out so we could go in. Parked up for the night.