Thurs, 26th Mar, 2026 The Strand campsite, Reefton to McMillan Road S/C camp, near Punakaiki, NZ (Blackball coal & west coast drive)

12 degrees with a few spits of rain. Dark and overcast.

Headed back towards Greymouth. We could have kept going north up to Westport from here but we wanted to see a few things along the coast, hence the reverse drive. Just hope the weather improves.

Back to Ikamatua then onto the alternate route back to Greymouth.

Back over the Little Grey River and the Big Grey River. Through the dairy farms on the other side of the valley plain.

Across Moonlight Creek.

Stopped at Moonlight Picnic Area for a cuppa in the shelter shed and read the info about the gold mining etc of the area. A tad chilly outside.

Continued on into rain and luckily no traffic. Climbed up then wound our way along the hill edge then down to cross Blackball Creek (I think).

Along and up a hill to Blackball - historic coal mining town. Drizzly rain as we read about the Workingman’s Club. The pub is on the corner with the Museum area beside it. Lots of very interesting information about the big strikes etc.

Wandered over to check out the memorial wheel and the miner’s huts.

Inside the next container was all the information about the Pike River disaster that we saw the memorial for in Reefton.

More about Moonlight gold area.

Another container had another display about the coal mine etc.

Drove around the streets - nice little township now. Another mining display showing the aerial tramway on another corner but it was raining again so didn’t get out to take a photo of the info board.

Back down the hill and continued towards Greymouth. Past the Brunner Mine that we explored yesterday. Lucky we did as it is wet here now.

Through ‘Sunny Taylorville’ so the sign says but not today.

Narrow road by the Grey River.

Past the rail bridge, over Coal Creek then back over the Grey River bridge into Greymouth.

Topped up our groceries and diesel - cheapest is 315.9c/l now! Cold, wet and windy - the west coast is known for its wild weather.

Back across the bridge to the Cobden free camp spot near the bridge for lunch. Soup and buns - no salad today. Quick look at the information board about Cobden’s history.

Back around the hill and onto the Great Coast Road to head north. Not the day for a coast drive but you can’t organise the weather! Passed a racecourse called Wingham. That is what Mum’s parents called their home in Casula, Sydney as their surnames where Windle and Ingham.

Driving beside Coal Creek then over the second crossing as we near Runanga.

Turned off to check out Coal Creek Falls which looks very nice in the photos on Wikicamps. The DOC sign says it is an hour walk and as it is cold and rainy we decided to skip that one.

Back to the main road in the township to read the history info etc. They call information boards - Kiosks. Photo of the falls too.

Continued on towards Dunollie which wasn’t much further on but a kilometre off the main road so we didn’t bother driving in.

Travelling around a big hill which is called Point Elizabeth according to my map.

Headed back to the Wild West Coast. Across a river - missed its name. Down to the very rocky Rapahoe Beach - the river just reaching the sea. A line of island rocks out from the point.

Checked out the coal machine display in the park from the underground mine nearby called Springcreek Coal Mine which closed in 2017. Portable cribroom.

Continued along the sea’s edge - very dark soil - coal?

Up the hill - a few homes perched on top of the cliff.

Pulled off into a carpark for Strongman Mine Memorial which remembers the 19 miners who lost their lives in the 1967 coalmine disaster. Great view even with the bleak weather. Didn’t get out of the camper - hence the blurry memorial photo as we drove past it.

Strong wind but it is blowing from the land. Turned inland to go around the edge of a deep little valley and Nine Mile Creek.

Would be a lovely coastal drive if it wasn’t so windy and grey. Passed a big bluff then we headed down to Motukiekie Beach.

Through the narrow cut on the cliff edge then down to Barrytown on the flat - wider farms and homes along here.

Down to the beach to a free camp spot and that’s all there is here - a spot to park. Nice views back to the village and mountains. Not a very exciting beach.

The wind is hurtling down off the mountains - blowing the tops off the waves back to Australia. Decided to stop here hoping it settles by tomorrow.

Unfortunately the wind got stronger so we decided to continue on. At least the rain has stopped. Continued on with lovely views across the farms to the sea and a one-sided tree.

Continued on into a Scenic Reserve on McMillan Road then turned off down to the beach to the freedom camp spot. A big motorhome is parked up so we decided this will do us find. A very wet Weka wandered by.

The rain has stopped. Our camp spot for tonight - view back up the ‘road’.

We went for a wander along the beach - dark grey sand and more smooth stones as you get closer to the water. Not sure if any are greenstone. Took photos and left them on the beach.

Continued along the beach to the north end where there is a slab that has broken away.

Walked around the back, lots of driftwood. There was a little track but the flax plants where too thick and wet to get through.

I climbed up the rocky slope for a view down into the gully. View back along the beach. Steve still looking for stones.

Continued along the ‘wall’ and checked out the big cave.

The tide is coming in. One wave chased Steve up the beach. Very funny to watch him trying to keep his shoes dry.

On the way back we spotted lots of jellyfish.

Headed back to the camper for a cuppa. A few spits of rain as we walked back. The big black sandflies have moved in so we have closed the windows and blocked the vent.

Our route for today.

Played cards for a while. The motorhome left and a few other vehicles came in. The people had a wander then left again.

Pancake Rocks is further up the road and as we were debating whether to go there now since the rain has stopped more campers arrived. Decided to stay put in case there is no room for us when we returned. Just hope for finer weather tomorrow to explore it.

Misty rain started again so good idea to stay. We will sleep well tonight with the sound of the waves on the beach. No more rain.