Left the backpackers place at 10am and biked a good 60km to Punakaiki. Made a short stop along the way at Mitchells Gully Goldmine - a gold mine that's been in the Mitchell family since early 1800s but stopped operations in 1914 (due mainly to WWI is my understanding). It's south of Westport and just north of Charleston - an old mining town that used to have a population of over 5,000 people (with 37 hotels). Today there are about 10 buildings in the whole "village."
The stop reminded me of "out west" in the US.
This is a re-build gold stamping battery on the original site. It used to stamp little coin-size gold goblets that were worth 3 months wages in the 1800s. The guy showed me one and told me it was worth about $500 today.
North of Charleston the ride ran alongside the coast. It was BEAUTIFUL! Sea and sun go together - and it was the nicest day I've had since the Queen Charlotte Track a week and a half ago (or something like that).
I found a campsite near the Pancake Rocks, set up tent, and then rode 1km up the road to the rocks.
Amazing place! The rocks are made up of layers and layers - like a stack of pancakes. Scientists apparently don't fully understand how they were formed like this.
The ride back to camp (above). And a fantastic sunset to top off a beautiful day.
Jenny, a French girl traveling through, and I walked down the beach to see the sunset.
You need to get the full effect...
When in NZ, don't miss the Pancake Rocks!
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