Returning to the southern seaside in Riverton
I’ve a lot nostalgia for Riverton. Tucked away in Southland alongside the southern coast of the South Island, Riverton has lengthy been the beloved seaside getaway for Wanaka people.
Riverton is peaceable and quiet, with a fantastic rugged shoreline that beckons you to discover. With many killer surf breaks, it’s a well-liked place for individuals who love the outside and being by the ocean. I first visited Riverton within the winter of 2014 on my first solo highway journey. I’ve been again many instances with associates, staying in charming outdated baches or tenting on the seaside. Humorous observe – a bach (kiwi vacation home) is called a crib down in Southland.
Colac Bay, close by is the place I had my very first surf lesson. Strolling the Humpridge observe close by in the summertime of 2018 blew my thoughts. Riverton isn’t as brashy or daring as different tourism cities on the South Island. However in case you dig beneath the floor, even a bit bit, you’ll get a style of the magic right here. It’s a unusual, distinctive place.
Listed here are a few of my must-do’s in case you get the possibility to go to Riverton.
1. Keep on the Finest Waterfront Deck in Riverton
Riverton is just not a very massive city; roughly 1,600 individuals name it residence, so neglect about flashy lodges. One of many fundamental causes it’s so beloved is due to its understated allure. It’s chill and enjoyable, nothing fancy; you get what you get.
The final time I used to be in Riverton, I stayed within the coolest home known as Best Waterfront Deck in Riverton. I can fortunately report that it does, actually, have the most effective waterfront deck in Riverton too. The view is incredible and a stone’s throw away from the seaside. Right here you possibly can bbq with associates outdoors whereas maintaining a watch out for the native dolphins.
It’s the proper place to flee with a bunch of associates.
2. Go for a stroll or surf in Colac Bay / Ōraka
Simply 10 minutes away from Riverton will carry you to Colac Bay. Right here is the place many individuals be taught to surf, me included. With a protracted sandy stretch of seaside, it’s the proper place to go for lengthy walks. In case you go to Riverton, you possibly can’t miss out on a seaside stroll on the seaside.
You may even see some uncommon and endangered hector’s dolphins in case you’re fortunate.
Colac Bay will get its identify from mispronunciation by European whalers, like in lots of locations round New Zealand. Ōraka was the Māori identify of the world, and its chief was Ko-oraka. Apparently, within the Māori southern dialect, the letter “r” sounded extra like an “l.”
3. Take a look at the Te Hikoi Museum
Being absolutely the historical past nerd, I’m, I attempt to make a degree to go to native museums every time I’m touring. They by no means disappoint and are sometimes stuffed with fascinating data. The Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton is not any exception.
One of many oldest cities in Southland, Riverton has a wealthy and interesting historical past. The museum digs deep into native Māori historical past main into the historical past of whaling and European settlements right here. It’s fascinating.
4. Seize lunch on the Orepuki Seashore Cafe
As a giant foodie, I’m typically completely satisfied to journey for a superb meal. Relying on the place you end up in rural New Zealand, typically the choices are hit or miss. However when in Southland, I’ll exit of my approach to get to the Orepuki Beach Cafe, simply 20 minutes from Riverton.
Overlooking Te Waewae Bay, Orepuki was as soon as a gold mining settlement of hundreds of individuals. It’s laborious to think about now.
A pleasant farm-to-table restaurant hidden in a historic home simply outdoors of Orepuki, house owners Penny and Brian supply every thing from their farm and gardens, considerably of a rarity today. The meals is phenomenal, with the flavors coming by in a manner that doesn’t occur with mass produce.
5. Go fossicking alongside Gemstone Seashore
In case you go to Riverton, you possibly can’t miss testing one of many coolest seashores in New Zealand – Gemstone Beach. And till final summer season, I had by no means been there earlier than. Named for the numerous colourful stones alongside the shore, it has washed up semi-precious gems similar to garnet, jasper, quartz, and nephrite.
Although in case you converse to locals, they’ll let you know there’s extra sand and so much fewer colourful stones right here than they’re was.
Rugged and distant, this shoreline is continually altering. Usually you’ll have Gemstone Seashore all to your self. Wild and delightful in its personal proper, it’s all of the extra outstanding as a seaside comprised of rainbow stones.
6. Get your thoughts blown throughout a Meals Forest Tour
The previous few years have opened my eyes to how unbelievable and underrated the meals tradition right here is in New Zealand. And I can’t imagine I had by no means heard of a meals forest backyard till this 12 months. In case you get the possibility to go to Riverton, undoubtedly take a look at their heritage orchards.
Within the coronary heart of Riverton is the South Coast Environment Centre, a group hub for individuals in Southland taking care of the land and pure sources. Right here I met the unbelievable Robyn Guyton, a real pioneer on the earth of permaculture in Southland. Twenty-seven years in the past, she started turning her land right into a forest garden, precisely what it seems like. Plant some fruit timber (there’s a system), and ultimately, it turns into its personal edible self-sustaining ecosystem requiring little upkeep.
Now her forest backyard has over 480 productive timber and shrubs, bringing again native birds. There are practically 100 heritage apple timber and dozens of different fruit timber and herbs. You may go to her residence in the course of the hotter months on a food forest tour.
Southland has lengthy been an agricultural nook of New Zealand, with many heritage fruit timber planted by European settlers. However as agriculture has turned industrial to dairy, many of those historic orchards get ripped up and destroyed. A few of these timber are actually the one remnants of their varietals surviving, as their counterparts have disappeared abroad.
Robyn can also be the brains behind the unbelievable Heritage Orchard Mission, which works to protect these heritage fruit timber.
Over a decade in the past, she started cataloging these timber to protect them, ultimately resulting in the creation of the heritage orchard parks round Southland. These open orchards are like residing fruit tree museums, bringing these wholesome heritage fruit timber again into the Southland group. Now you can stroll and go to them your self. What a boss!
7. Take a look at the charming cove of Cosy Nook
I stumbled throughout the tremendous cute rocky cove of Cosy Nook by full accident – it was a type of “I ponder what’s down that highway” journey experiences. As soon as an necessary Māori historic settlement, today you’ll probably solely discover seagulls and tough waves.
Standing on the wild shores of Cosy Nook immediately, it’s laborious to think about lower than 200 years in the past, it was a giant, bustling middle of commerce between Māori and Europeans.
Captain George Thomson, the Bluff harbourmaster, was the primary European settler right here, although Māori occupied it for for much longer. He named it after his homeland Scottish village, Cozy Neuk.
8. Stroll throughout the Clifden Suspension Bridge
Relying on which course you’re driving to Riverton, 45 minutes away, you’ll probably go by the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand. The Clifden Suspension Bridge was an enormous deal when it was inbuilt 1899, opening up a distant a part of Southland.
It’s an ideal spot to cease for a picnic or a stretch of the legs on a drive between Te Anau and Riverton.
Have you ever been to Riverton? Do you could have a chill place you like to get away to? Would you go to Riverton, given an opportunity? Share!
Many due to Nice South for internet hosting me in Southland; I’m at all times maintaining it actual – as you may count on much less from me!
