Normally, the drive up the Aorere Valley in Golden Bay would be a sedate drive through pasture farmland. The road eventually terminates at the start of the Heaphy Track Great Walk. On the day, the abysmal weather with some surface flooding made the idea of a hike unappealing, but there was still plenty to see and do.
The grass is even greener when wet, and there are various oddball curiosities, such as a wrecked house, a cool junk shop (especially the fence!), and the local museum. The quite extraordinary Langford Store and then the picturesque Salisbury Falls are further on.
8 images