Day 296 (Sun 29 Apr) - Collingwood

After a quick slurp of tea we all got ourselves ready and drove off on the road that skirted the Abel Tasman National Park.

We slowly wound our way up a steep road and stopped at the convenient Hawes lookout. The views were tremendous. We could look into the valley we had just been travelling up, out to the sea and the mountains beyond. Decided to have breakfast here.

Drove on up the hill and over to the other side. Very windy and steep road. The views of the valley below us opening out into Golden Bay were simply breathtaking.

Drove down the side of this valley and into a small village called Collingwood. Stopped here for a little while then drove onto another small village called Puponga, near Farewell Spit.

Stopped to pop into the tourist info office and then drove onto the car park that served as the starting point to Wairaiki beach.

Parked up and set off on a small path that led us over small green hills, populated by fluffy sheep. On closer inspection the hills were not made of earth but sand!

Soon the path led us through a forested area, a large stream visible below us, and onto sand. Walked onto the sand and past huge rocks and sand dunes finally emerging onto the magnificent and massive Wairaiki beach. Hardly a soul around.

Out to sea we could see huge rocks that had been carved by the wind and sea. Walked round a bit and stumbled across some rocks where seals were laying around.

We watched as small young seals played in the rock pools.

Stayed around for awhile then headed back to Collingwood where we checked into a campsite. The campsite is located on the edge of an estuary and since the tide was out, it allowed Keith and Sarb to have a stab at fishing.

By the time they got back the tide was coming in. A bit of a worry as the van was parked some 5 feet from the edge of the incoming water.

For dinner tonight Sarb cooked some rissoles.