One thing we especially like about the West Coast of the South Island is the nikau palms that line sections of the Karamea Highway north of Hector. These are some of the most southerly palms in the world and take an inordinate amount of time to grow – about 20 years to form the start of the trunk you see in the pics, then 100 years to reach 10 to 15 metres. A larger group flowering or displaying berries is an awesome sight!
About halfway along the road to Karamea, there is also a winding section that crosses over the Karamea Bluffs in front of the Radiant Range. Keep an eye out for the section where the verge is wide enough to stop. The view is great, and on the north face of the range, there is the distinct impression of a reclining man (at least we thought so!).
