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 of us.
Riverton is peaceable and quiet, with a good looking rugged shoreline that beckons you to discover. With many killer surf breaks, it’s a preferred 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 I’ve been again many instances with mates, staying in charming outdated baches or tenting on the seashore. Humorous notice – a bach (kiwi vacation home) is named 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 for those who 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 below are a few of my must-do’s for those who get the possibility to go to Riverton.
1. Keep on the Greatest Waterfront Deck in Riverton
Riverton is just not a very huge city; roughly 1,600 folks name it residence, so neglect about flashy accommodations. One of many essential causes it’s so beloved is due to its understated appeal. It’s chill and stress-free, nothing fancy; you get what you get.
The final time I used to be in Riverton, I stayed within the coolest home known as Greatest Waterfront Deck in Riverton. I can fortunately report that it does, in actual fact, have the very best waterfront deck in Riverton too. The view is unbelievable and a stone’s throw away from the seashore. Right here you possibly can bbq with mates outdoors whereas preserving a watch out for the native dolphins.
It’s the proper place to flee with a gaggle of mates.
2. Go for a stroll or surf in Colac Bay / Ōraka
Simply 10 minutes away from Riverton will convey you to Colac Bay. Right here is the place many individuals study to surf, me included. With a protracted sandy stretch of seashore, it’s the proper place to go for lengthy walks. When you go to Riverton, you possibly can’t miss out on a seaside stroll on the seashore.
You may even see some uncommon and endangered hector’s dolphins for those who’re fortunate.
Colac Bay will get its title from mispronunciation by European whalers, like in lots of locations round New Zealand. Ōraka was the Māori title of the realm, 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 some extent to go to native museums at any time when I’m touring. They by no means disappoint and are sometimes stuffed with fascinating data. The Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton isn’t 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 happy to journey for an excellent 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 Seashore Cafe, simply 20 minutes from Riverton.
Overlooking Te Waewae Bay, Orepuki was as soon as a gold mining settlement of 1000’s of individuals. It’s onerous 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 all the things from their farm and gardens, considerably of a rarity as of late. The meals is outstanding, with the flavors coming by in a means that doesn’t occur with mass produce.
5. Go fossicking alongside Gemstone Seashore
When you go to Riverton, you possibly can’t miss testing one of many coolest seashores in New Zealand – Gemstone Seashore. And till final summer time, I had by no means been there earlier than. Named for the various colourful stones alongside the shore, it has washed up semi-precious gems equivalent to garnet, jasper, quartz, and nephrite.
Although for those who communicate to locals, they’ll inform you there’s extra sand and lots 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 exquisite in its personal proper, it’s all of the extra outstanding as a seashore comprised of rainbow stones.
6. Get your thoughts blown throughout a Meals Forest Tour
The previous few years have opened my eyes to how unimaginable and underrated the meals tradition right here is in New Zealand. And I can’t consider I had by no means heard of a meals forest backyard till this yr. When you get the possibility to go to Riverton, positively try their heritage orchards.
Within the coronary heart of Riverton is the South Coast Atmosphere Centre, a neighborhood hub for folks in Southland taking care of the land and pure sources. Right here I met the unimaginable Robyn Guyton, a real pioneer on this planet of permaculture in Southland. Twenty-seven years in the past, she started turning her land right into a forest backyard, precisely what it appears like. Plant some fruit bushes (there’s a system), and finally, it turns into its personal edible self-sustaining ecosystem requiring little upkeep.
Now her forest backyard has over 480 productive bushes and shrubs, bringing again native birds. There are practically 100 heritage apple bushes and dozens of different fruit bushes and herbs. You possibly can go to her residence through the hotter months on a meals forest tour.
Southland has lengthy been an agricultural nook of New Zealand, with many heritage fruit bushes 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 bushes are actually the one remnants of their varietals surviving, as their counterparts have disappeared abroad.
Robyn can also be the brains behind the unimaginable Heritage Orchard Undertaking, which works to protect these heritage fruit bushes.
Over a decade in the past, she started cataloging these bushes to protect them, finally 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 bushes again into the Southland neighborhood. 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 kind of “I ponder what’s down that highway” journey experiences. As soon as an vital Māori historic settlement, as of late you’ll probably solely discover seagulls and tough waves.
Standing on the wild shores of Cosy Nook at the moment, it’s onerous to think about lower than 200 years in the past, it was a giant, bustling heart 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 route 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’ve got a chill place you like to get away to? Would you go to Riverton, given an opportunity? Share!
Many because of Nice South for internet hosting me in Southland; I’m at all times preserving it actual – as you may anticipate much less from me!