West coast

 I was lucky enough to get away for another few days, which I chose to spend on the West Coast. A region very close to my heart as I used to live there when I first visited New Zealand. And without doubt the most scenic area of NZ. Unfortunately I still haven't mastered my new camera equipment, so please enjoy a selection of mediocre images and wasted opportunities:

Westport Municipal building

Devil's Punchbowl waterfall, Arthur's pass. 131m

Avalanche Creek Waterfall

Mount Rolleston as seen from Avalanche Peak

A Kea, a large Nestor Parrot native to the Southern Alps of New Zealand

Well known and feared for their intelligence, curiosity and fearlessness they once were hunted for bounty, but are now fully protected. 

Devil's Punchbowl as seen from across the valley

Otira Viaduct. 440m long and a gradient of 11.7%

Dorothy Falls, Lake Kaniere

Hokitika Gorge.

Theater Royal Hotel, Kumara. Built during the Gold rush, when Kumara had a population of well over 4000 and 50 pubs as well as a hospital, school, fire station and public swimming pool. Today less than 300 people live here. But, the hotel has been lovingly restored and once again hosts visitors in style and comfort and provides refreshments to the locals.

One thing I doubt I ever mentioned before about New Zealand and one of the first things I noticed when I first visited is the quality and quantity of the public restrooms.

These particular ones are found in Blackball, another small town on the West Coast known for its rich history as a Coal miners town.

Coming from a country where public restrooms are rare, expensive, and usually beyond a usable state having clean, free and abundant toilets is a real blessing. 

Well done, NZ!