Our first station in the mystery west coast is Punakaiki
From Arthur Pass, the first check point you’ll reach is Grey Mouth
Grey Mouth, just an ordinary town beside the tranz alpine train station.
But this is great place for you to re-stock for you next station, Franz Josef or Punakaiki.
Going north 30min from Grey Mouth, you’ll come into the little village call Punakaiki which famous with Pancake rock, sunset and Blow hole.
Pancake Rock represent the age of the earth, 1 layer about thousand years. If you’re pro in geography, you’ll be interested with this.
Next, there’re lots of beach around this area for you to enjoy the sunset. The beach I chose is Truman Track Beach.
If you’re lazy, another choice is choosing a BBH which near to beach, eg:Punakaiki Beach Hostel, which allow you enjoy the sunset which staying in a warm living room.
Lastly, the amazing Blow Hole:
Blow Hole is a land condition which will create a high different pressure when the wave strike and blow the wave to 10m+. This phenomena can see clearly during the high tide.
Suggestion to view from i-site is +-2 hours away from the highest tide.
But suggestion from me is +-0.5hours(30min) to enjoy the most stunning blow hole show.
1.5hours before
During the highest tide:
Video tell the different:
After the amazing blow hole, our next station is amazing glacier!
Side Story: Repair my car
After the mountain road at Arthur Pass, I felt my tyre didn’t run well.
Finally we decided have a check for it i Grey Mouth before we move on.
After some checking, I really thanks God for bringing me safe to Grey Mouth! and also thanks for the hard working mechanic who works on Sunday!
The reason I say so is because my tyre is almost burst due to the bad road condition. Another problem is the break pad is already used up.
If one of these goes wrong during Arthur Pass drive, I think…
If I didn’t check in Grey Mouth, I’ll only reach the next mechanic after 300km drive. I don’t think it’ll safe until that time.
That’s why I really thanks God and that mechanic!
Moral of the story:
For self-drive trip in NZ, remember the safety is the TOP concern! Even your car passed WOF, it still may have some problem after high mileage drive. Please DO check your car when you plan a long/mountain trip.