Sun, 22nd Mar, 2026 (part2) Blaketown Quay camp, Greymouth to Geoff & Viriginia’s place, Taramakau Settlement, NZ (Kumara & surrounds)

Back onto the highway heading south to Kumara Junction. Lots of farms in the wide open plain as we headed into Kumara township for lunch. Lots of old cars here. 

We continued down the street to a park with NZ Premier Richard Seddon had lived at one stage. Also known as King Dick.

No room to park to have lunch so we headed back to the freedom camp spot ($5 donation) we passed on the way in. After lunch headed back into town to check out the cars and the history boards we saw in an open allotment. Steve hopes we kick our toes on a real one of these.

Steve found a mini - we both had these with the slide windows.

Some history too.

More cars - part of the Classic Alpine Tour.

Great historical display.

Back to the camper admiring more cars on the way. Back through town then left down 5^th Street and down to the Taramakau River. Across the William Stewart Bridge (one lane). Remains of old bridge on the downstream side.

Nice drive on narrow road through thick scrub country then down hill to open valley and into Taramakau Settlement (est 1886).

Down the road to the old school house which is now Geoff & Virginia’s home. Great to see them both again.

The house is lovely and even had the old black board. The pool is now their greenhouses and they grow all kinds of things. Great view from the window. In winter those mountains are covered in snow - today just cloud!

Chatted for a while then we all went for a drive. Better view upstream as we cross the Taramakau River again. Only one way in and out of the valley.

Pulled over for the walk into an old swimming baths, built 1933-34.

Continued on then turned down a track beside a water channel - connecting the river to the reservoir.

Next walk was to a big rock - Londonderry Rock. A glacial rock. Info about how the rock was discovered while gold miners from Londonderry were working here. Pretty flowers. Geoff and Steve are trying holding the rock up.

Continued on passing lots of piles of rocks from the gold prospectors in the old days.

Out to the Kapitia Reservoir. You can use a boat in here and fish.

Onto the dam wall to the outlet.

Continued on to an old goldmining area called Goldsborough - we have a Goldsborough near Cairns and gold was found there too. Small picnic area with information here.

Along the road we stopped to do the Tunnel Terrace Walk. Should have brought a torch!

Passed some active gold mining areas.

Into the old Stafford Cemetery perched on a hillside. Lovely big trees.

Out to Serpentine Beach on the way back - sand farming for fine gold in a farm.

Our route.

Back home for drinks and BBQ dinner. Great night chatting. The stars are out and a mopoke is calling when we went back to the camper to bed.