Fri, 27th Mar, 2026 (part2) McMillan Road self-contained camp, near Punakaiki to Kawatiri Beach Reserve, Westport, NZ (West coast beaches, rivers & seals)

Up the hill. Too windy and wet again to stop at lookouts. Along the high coast road with a long drop down.

Back down to the beach - the road is lined with a fence to protect the penguins.

Around another corner to the next beach.

Up again, view over rocky outcrops out from Fox River locality.

Little huts tucked in beside the rocky point on the corner before we cross the Fox River which flows out to the Tasman Sea.

There are caves on the other side but no access allowed as they are on private property. I see one across the river from the free camp area.

Continued on - very windy but Steve has the camper under control. Great views along the way even with the grey sky.

Continued on up hill to a lookout. Looks like home with lots of palms and the rainforest meeting the sea.

Continued climbing up then away from the coast for a bit. Up and down the hills, across 4 Mile River which was way below us and flowing fast and full - no photo.

Still windy and raining. Lots of tight hairpin turns as we wound our way around then down to Charleston. Left turn down to the Recreation Reserve - Constant Bay. Hard to imagine this as a busy port. Nice spot.

The entrance is through the rock channel.

Grey sand, lots of smooth rocks about too.

Had an early cuppa here. Fascinating to watch the water come in around the rocks then drain back out again.

The rain stopped so we went along the track to the rocky ‘entrance’.

View back to the shacks/houses.

Back to the camper and along another track. View of the entrance. Tried to get to the next bay but it was too sandy for us.

Back up and through town - nice mural. Other activities you can do here - Underwater rafting!

Across the Nile River then we turned off to check out the suspension bridge. There wasn’t anywhere to park so I got out to take a photo and Steve continued on to turn around. The rain started spitting again.

Steve came back from where we drove in. He had to drive the circuit around - narrow road and appears to be one way but there weren’t any signs. We continued on ‘Beach Road’ to a beach at a corner in the river. The mouth of the Nile River is through the rocky entrance.

Continued on to the mouth.

Continued on the narrow Beach Road. Passed a few homes tucked into the hillside. Another ‘golden’ grey sand beach in the early 1900s.

Onto a gravel road passing a few ‘quaint’ accommodation places and shacks along the way.

Into farmland where a white crane flew across then stopped to pose for a photo before flying off again.

Out to the main highway again. Over the Little Totara River which is flowing fast from this recent rain.

Turned inland again. Up the hill then down to cross the Big Totara River.

Through flat farming areas with the tops of the mountains in the clouds. Passed the Cemetery of Addisons Flat - an old gold town.

Turned off for the 14km drive to Tauranga Bay where there is a seal colony. Through green pastures. Left to accommodation places.

We turned right and travelled a kilometre around Tauranga Beach to the seal colony car park.

There is a long walk from here to Cape Foulwind but we will be driving there. Lots of information provided.

Onto the path - nice view across the bay.

Stopped at Wall Island Lookout first. Info about the Blue Penguins too - haven’t seen a penguin in NZ yet.

Continued along the hillside. Spotted some seals having a siesta. Then a narrow gully which appears to be the nursey as there are lots of pups and a few ‘mums’ who were calling out to their little ones. So cute to watch them playing in the water. Heard lots of grunting as some of the seals got in another one’s ‘space’.

Around to the lookout area and more information boards.

There are seals everywhere. Hard to spot them amongst the logs. Only a small shower of rain but still very windy. Chatted with a family from Colorado who were loving the experience.

Followed a weka back to the camper as the misty rain started again.

Drove around to Cape Foulwind Lighthouse. More information about the North West Coast. Abel Tasman first sighted New Zealand in 1642 just a short distance from here down the Paparoa Coast.

Along to the start of the Cape Foulwind Walkway.

Started up the track - great views back to the cliffs.

Made it to the lighthouse via a little dirt track.

Watched the wekas wandering about and digging up the grass around the concrete base then headed back to the camper.

I like the artwork on this van. Even looks like there is a pilot driving when someone is in the front seat.

Back out then another 14km on to Westport along the edge of the cliffs that were made into house blocks by the Omau Settlers. Passed dairy cows being covered in the sea mist blowing over the pastures.

Passed houses of Carters Beach then turned inland to cross the Buller River.

Along the Esplanade to the dump point and to top up with water. Through town with lots of hanging baskets of flowers decorating the streets. Bit wet and dreary to wander so drove on. Big clock on the Municipal Chambers.

Continued along and out to the sea to a freedom camp for self-contained travellers at Kawatiri Beach Reserve. Numbered bays. Parked in Number 5 as the sun started to shine at last.

Time for a drink then a wander down to the beach. It is covered in logs.

The sun has gone and a misty shower came over as I walked back. Lots of wekas wandering around the camping area looking for scraps I suppose.

The sun came out again after I got back at 6pm. Steve slack - stayed inside and read his book. Our route for today.

Yummy lamb kebabs and roast veggies tonight - it’s a tough life we live!

Played cards then another shower of rain washed over us.

The sounds of the waves crashing on the beach was nice to go to sleep to. When the wekas get worked up they sound similar to our curlews in Cairns.