After a gruelling distance walked the previous day we were all anticipating an easy walk- a distance of 20.5 km only today. We were repeatedly told this was a day to enjoy with continuous downhill and amazing changing landscapes concluding at the Heaphy Hut on the mouth of the Heaphy River as it empties into the wild west coast. The neat thing was that we could actually see the river valley and even the hut we would be staying in that night - before we left the Mackay Hut that morning. (see below)
The children were up and ready so again we performed our breakfast ritual and clean up and set off. The weather was a bit cloudy but the forecast pinned to the wall of the hut by DOC was great. Once again the day was great.
The previous day's grassy downs and wetlands gave way very quickly to beech forest as the track follows the source of the Heaphy River. The taller and richer forest was appearing, which is typical of New Zealand west coast. We could see occasional glimpses of the river for most of our day.
This was truly a day of variety - bushy walking, beautiful moss lined tracks and many bridges and stream crossings. The streams were all fairly low in the middle of summer but we could imagine a different level of threat from these same streams at other times of the year when a flooded track is a real possibility with heavy rain. We easily maneuvered the rivers and bridges as well.
We were definitely becoming more fit and of course with each meal the packs lightened somewhat. (Except for David who claimed his pack kept getting heavier!) The children and adults both plodded on knowing the west coast beckoned.
The change in landscape meant we were on the lookout for indications of the coast's proximity - salt water in the air and the first nikau palms. Now for all you who don't know what nikaus are they are native New Zealand palm trees and are very common to the west coast. They look a bit like pineapples to me when they are small but they can grow to great heights. After river crossings galore we finally began to spot the occasional nikau.
The race was on now to get to the coast. We could smell the salt air and knew the famed Heaphy Hut was fast approaching. The only down side was the renown sand fly population of the west coast. Once again the younger members sprinted ahead and got to the hut first. With a bit of motivation from an overhead helicopter (medical evacuation passing through my mind) I hustled my pace along as well. Fortunately the chopper was dropping off supplies for the DOC staff and no advanced resuscitation was needed. ( See Heaphy Hut below)
David and John were keen to revive themselves and had a full on swim in the Heaphy River - cool, clear and refreshing from all reports. (sorry no photos were allowed!)
Chris got some great shots of the surrounds of the hut and nearby coast, even spotting a teepee on the far off sand!
Later that night was quite fun for everyone as we had a fire on the beach and marshmallows were provided by the DOC rangers. We had 6 different nationalities represented around the fire. (our entire 4 days we counted 47 people on the track including our group of 8 and several DOC employees)
The last excitement for the day was when we heard the cry of the female kiwi from the bush just before we went to bed. Luke and Adele rushed off in the direction of the bird's call and there she was on the path! (sorry no photo) Being a nocturnal bird it is very unusual to see a kiwi in the wild except of course when you are in a National Park miles from nowhere but having a great night under the stars!
PS The sand flies were manageable with long trousers and insect repellent - no worries mate.
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