Picton to Westport
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide.
Travel Facts
Distance: 289 km (180 miles)
Approximately: 3 Hours 50 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 1 Picton to Blenheim
Sate Highway 63 Blenheim Kawitiri.
State Highway 6 Kawatiri to Westport
This guide sponsored by: Buller Gorge Swing Bridge.
Picton - Blenhiem - Murchison - Westport
The short drive to Blenheim which is the heart of wine-growing Marlborough, takes you across the Wairau Plains past vineyards and wineries. Now we must resist that temptation to sample, so no drinking without a designated sober driver.
At the junction of the Opawa and Omaka Rivers, Blenheim sits where James Sinclair first built a hut in 1852, owing it's initial existence to the proximity to ford and landing place for crossing the rivers.
Today the township is a center for the surrounding territory, with a number of interesting places to visit not the least of which are the Museum and Blenkinsopp's cannon situated near Seymour Park.
Picton - Blenhiem - Murchison - Westport
From Blenheim we follow State Highway 63 west into the Wairau Valley and on to Renwick about 12 kilometres from Blenheim. A visit to the Renwick museum offers rides on gig or wagon.
In winter Rainbow Ski grounds are a popular attraction in the Wairau Valley.
Time is marching on and so must we. The drive up the valley is quite scenic as we pass through the settlements of Wairau Valley and Hillersden before leaving the Wairau River behind and reaching St Arnaud at the northern tip of Lake Rotoiti (photo below), where the mighty Buller River begins.
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Part of the Nelson Lakes National Park, Lake Rotoiti and her sister Rotoroa offer abundant summer sporting and boating activities.
A short drive then brings us to our first meeting with the powerful Buller River as we continue our journey toward the junction with State Highway 6, before heading south west toward Westport, Murchison and through the Upper Buller Gorge.
Picton - Blenhiem - Murchison - Westport
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Although part of the Nelson Region, Murchison is our first introduction to the glory and green that is the scenic beauty of the West Coast and Buller Region.
First known as Hampden, Murchison sprang to life with the discovery of gold and later grew into farming.
Devastated on the 17th of June 1929 by an earthquake that killed 17 people as it wrenched the mountainsides blocking rivers and cutting roads.
New Zealands longest swing bridge is located just out side of Murchison right beside the main highway and is home to a number of truely awesome experiences.
Buller Gorge Swing Bridge
SH 6 Buller Gorge Road.
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At 110metres long and 17 metres high, this is New Zealand's longest swing bridge. Here the pace can be as lesiurely or exciting as you prefer.
There are a number of walks in the area across the bridge that range from 15 minutes to 1 hour, or you can try your hand at panning for gold.
Comet Line, Tandem Comet Line
For the more adventerous, experience the 160metre flying fox or zip line across the mighty Buller. For the true adrenalin junky there is the Supaman ride as you launch into the air for an awesome flight.
Goldrush Jet
The exhillarating Goldrush Jet over the slip rapids and through the rushing waters of the upper Buller Gorge, 40 minutes on one of the premier jet boat runs in New Zealand.
Web Site: www.bullergorge.co.nz | read More »
After all that excitment you'll probably need a good hot coffee and replenish the boilers for the rest of the trip. Fortuitously Berlins is only a few minutes drive away, where you will find fabulous kiwi hospitality among the most awesome views you can imagine.
Picton - Blenhiem - Murchison - Westport
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Continuing the journey through the Buller Gorge at Hawks Crag, in the Lower Gorge, the road has been hacked out of solid rock – you'll drive under a dramatic overhang.
Westport is known as a coal mining town and a base for outdoor adventures. Visit the local coal mining museum, then strap on your walking shoes to investigate the seal colony on Cape Foulwind before heading inland and south to Charleston, Punakaiki and Greymouth.
Welcome to Westport - enjoy your stay.
This Guide last Updated: January 2011.
Driving Distance and Times
The distances and times within the Travel Guides are based on travel at an average of 80 to 90kmph in good weather and light to medium traffic, allowing for a break of 10 minutes from driving in each full hour.
Allow extra time for:
1. Sight seeing.
2. Heavier traffic conditions.
3. Inclement weather.
4. and any other needs you have.
There are many factors beyond the authors and our control that can and will impact upon the true distance travelled and time taken to complete any journey.
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