Fri, 13th Mar, 2026 (part1) Thornbury-Aparima Bridge freedom camp, Thornbury to Freedom campground, Lumsden, NZ (Riverton & beaches)

A couple of showers of rain from 2am. Now 10 degrees so on with the heater!

Mostly blue sky with clouds in the east as we headed out. Back over the Aparima River (high bridge sides so no river photo) and back to main road.

Continued through flat green grazing land then a big estuary appears as we near Riverton.

Some interesting sculptures.

Into Riverton and along to Kohikohi Park near the boat ramp by the bridge. There is a giant Paua here - beautiful.

Across the road to the edge of Jacobs River Estuary. History and lovely views.

Great rock display.

St Mary’s Church.

Back to the camper then across the bridge.

Left turn goes to the beach but we turned right and continued up the hill above the estuary.

Through the big hedge-lined pastures again as we head towards Colac Bay. We didn’t take the turnoff into the seaside village which is a surfers paradise.

Continued on rolling up and down the hills. Nice view as we roll downhill before turning off to Monkey Island - which is an island not a village though there are a few houses about.

Free camp area. Whale lookout then goldmining settlement. The gold was in the sand. Kept our eyes down but didn’t find any.

Back out then along a bit to Orepuki township - high cliffs along here.

A bit further then we turned down a track to Gemstone Beach. Parked then walked down to the beach.

Water was coming down the ‘creek’ and exposing the smooth sand polished stones. Lots of pretty ones but no ‘gems’.

Walked along the beach checking out the creeks and cliffs. Great shack under the trees.

Not sure of the glacier rocks or that the sea is washing the rocks in as we can see them up high on the cliffs.

Sunny view up the next creek - the water is rushing out quickly to the sea.

My collection of pretty rocks called ‘Leaverite’ - take a photo and leave them right there.

Back out and continued on through rolling green hills dotted with sheep and silage bales.

Stopped for cuppa at McCrackens Rest Lookout. Watched the cows follow the track below the cliff back up to the farm. This photo could be from the Colourbond advert we see - straight waves.

Only a couple of cows left.

Great time line display, info about the area and great map. Zoomed in on bits of interest.

This is what we could find on Gemstone Beach if we knew what we were looking at!

View over Te Waewae Bay - nothing between us and Antarctica.

Zoomed in on where the mouth of the Waiau River should be if it broke through the sand dunes. Its water amount has been reduced due to the Manapouri Power Station.

Continued on to Tuatapere - sign says ‘NZ’s Sausage Capital & Home of the Humpridge Track’.

Pulled over to check out the murals, old Bank of NZ & a water wheel. Quaint township.

Across the Waiau River - upstream & downstream.