Thurs, 12th Mar, 2026 (part1) Recreation Reserve free camp, Waikawa to Thornbury-Aparima Bridge West, Thornbury, NZ (Slope Pt & Lighthouse)

11 degrees and overcast. The camping area had filled up through the evening. Not sure if they are all ‘self-contained’ mind you but as there is a toilet block here I suppose it is ok.

Pretty view as we continued on along the edge of Waikawa Harbour as we head towards Porpoise Bay.

No view of the water as we are beside a high sand ridge with Porpoise Bay on the other side. Continued down the road past houses as we enter Curio Bay township. Headed around to Curio Bay Lookout on the point. First we had to travel through a camp ground area where each site is protected by Flax bushes making them private and probably a bit of wind protection too. Surfboard with lots of Paua shells at one campsite.

Great views - lots of kelp.

Looking back over the campground and Curio Bay homes then over Porpoise Bay and the Maori arch.

Chatted with a chap from Canada who is travelling with his wife and 6 month old son. I don’t think I would have liked to do a big trip with a little one.

Back through the village then westward to head to Slope Point - the southern-most point of New Zealand mainland. Passed an inland lake area but didn’t get a photo.

Around the top of the next big inlet area.

Lots of sheep. Left turn and south onto Slope Point Road. I can just see that inlet we passed as we on a ridge. I think the shed lost out to the big tree.

Nice view down to the water.

Down to the car park. Info about stars and the Aurora Australis - this photo will do. Great time line too.

Through a gate into private property and then along the fence edge with the leaning trees.

Down to the beacon and South Point sign. It is windy but not freezing which is good.

Chatted with a couple from Brisbane (ex Kiwis) who hadn’t done the South Island while they lived here. The chap took a photo of us.

View along the cliff edge. Lots of interesting rock formations. No seals. View back over the farm.

Looking along the coast the lighthouse at Waipapa Point.

Walked along a bit checking out the different soil layers.

View down from where Steve was standing.

As I walked back I noticed some ‘holes’.

Looks like another home tucked into the hill.

Back to the camper for a cuppa then headed back out the same road. More leaning trees and the other side of the ‘shed’ one I took before.

Back to the main road continued along to the turn off to the historic lighthouse at Waipapa Point via a winding road, up and down the hills through green pastures. Reminds us of the Tablelands.

Big car park and information shed.

Followed the path to the lighthouse. Love the paving.

View back to Slope Point and around the lighthouse to the other side.

We think we have found a sea lion in the distance - others were checking it out too. We did see it move so it wasn’t a rock. Good zoom on my camera.

Followed another path back through the dunes and up to the info about SS Tararua.

Continued along the fence line. Info about fishing and collecting Paua shells.

The wind has settled. View north to Slope Point, over the reef where the Tararua was wrecked and back to the lighthouse.

Back to the camper and back up the road to the main road again. Picturesque views as we drive a long.

Eventually a long sand spit comes into view with an estuary at Fortrose.

Another view as we got closer to the small entrance on the east end of the spit.

Down to the Toetoes Estuary and the small ‘mouth’. On Wikicamps it says at low tide you can see the wreck of the ‘Ino’ here . It was a steamship of 46 tonnes that was built in Hokitika in 1874.

Through Fortrose Village to the boat ramp. Lots of great info here.

The sun is peeking through the clouds now so it is slowly warming up. Beach is all small smooth rocks. View over the estuary.

Walked over to some more info boards in the Boating Club park. Free camp spot here too.

Back to the camper for lunch while we watched the birds on the water. Wikicamp map of the area showing the Titiroa Stream and Mataura River flowing into the estuary.

As we continued along we spotted the Titiroa Stream winding its way through the green fields.

As we cross the stream we notice lots of fishing shacks and platforms along the water edge.

Lots of sheep who have just been shorn.

Then we drove alongside the Mataura River for a bit before crossing it. This river comes a long way south from up past Gore. More fishing shacks - cute little van too.

High bridge over Mataura River.

I had my head down checking my map when Steve said ‘there are some deer’. I just got them in the photo as he didn’t slow down or stop as he had traffic behind him.

Back to the tall hedges around the farms.

Through the village of Gorge Road - but there aren’t any gorges here. More farms - another small township. The land is flatter now as we near Invercargill.