The 30th of June 2016.

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Juniper Bruce
5 years ago
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My name is Bruce Smith. I am a 4th generation Coaster and this week I want you to introduce you to Matt the backpacker. Kia Ora - I'm Matt.

1 The 30th of June Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope it encourages you to head home to the Coast on your next holidays. My name is Bruce Smith. I am a 4th generation Coaster and this week I want you to introduce you to Matt the backpacker. Kia Ora - I'm Matt. Adventurer, Instagrammer and New Zealand travel planning expert living in Queenstown, NZ. Founder of Planit NZ - New Zealand's largest travel planning & booking website. to work with Olympus and shoot with an Olympus Pen E-P5.

A DAY TRIP ON NEW ZEALAND S WEST COAST (PHOTO ESSAY) N E W Z E A L A N D, T R A V E L P H O T O S If you re visiting New Zealand s West Coast and have tired of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers,

2 A DAY TRIP ON NEW ZEALAND S WEST COAST (PHOTO ESSAY) N E W Z E A L A N D, T R A V E L P H O T O S If you re visiting New Zealand s West Coast and have tired of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, consider spending a half-day driving to Gillespie s Beach. It s an epic beach and there is plenty to keep you busy on the drive there. Gillespie s Beach is found 30 minutes from Fox Glacier Village and 60 minutes from Franz Josef Glacier Village. Black Rocks on Gillespie s Beach

farmland filled with dairy cattle and sheep.

3 Driftwood Scattered on Gillespie s Beach As you leave Fox Glacier Village, you pass first through flat, West Coast farmland filled with dairy cattle and sheep. Consider stopping at Lake Matheson. Southern Alps Reflected on Lake Matheson

4 This lake was formed almost 14,000 years ago as the Fox Glacier retreated and left in its wake a massive crater. It s a kettle lake and has no streams running in or out of it essentially, it s a big puddle which is topped up by rain. Thanks to Lake Matheson s dark brown water, you can get excellent reflections of the Alps on a calm day. From the carpark, it s about a one hour walk around the lake. After your walk, check out the Lake Matheson Cafe which has excellent views, does great coffee, and offers West Coast themed food. Cloud Covered View of the Alps

As you leave Lake Matheson, watch behind you for a chance to view Fox Glacier. Shortly after leaving the lake, the condition of the road deteriorates quickly.

5 As you leave Lake Matheson, watch behind you for a chance to view Fox Glacier. Shortly after leaving the lake, the condition of the road deteriorates quickly. It s a single track, unpaved, and windy road through dense Westland National Park rainforest. Gillespie s Beach is about 10 kms past Lake Matheson. New Zealand Silver Fern Koru

6 This windswept, black-sand beach is scattered with driftwood, massive boulders left by the glaciers, and has torrential surf on a stormy day. Even on a calm day there are dangerous riptides, so swimming is not recommended (assuming you could brave the frigid water). If you arrive on a clear day, you re afforded beautiful views of the Tasman Sea on one side, and the magnificent Southern Alps on the other. The view of Mt. Cook is the greatest I ve seen anywhere on the island. Mount Cook as seen from Gillespie s Beach

I recommend the three hour return walk to Galway Beach where you can view a seal

7 Aoraki (Cloud Piercer) - Mount Cook From the beach, you have a couple of different walks available to you. I recommend the three hour return walk to Galway Beach where you can view a seal colony. Otherwise, consider spending the night at Gillespie s beach where the Department of Conservation manages a donation only campsite. Gillespie s Sunset.

You ll go to sleep with the sound of the surf and an unforgettable sunset. I can t wait to show you other special places on the West Coast of the South Island. Matt. http://www.instagram.

8 You ll go to sleep with the sound of the surf and an unforgettable sunset. I can t wait to show you other special places on the West Coast of the South Island. Matt. I hope that what you have seen shows why it s a must you come home. The Coasters Club mission statement is: We will connect with as many people with current or former links to the West Coast as possible with the aim of bringing them home to visit and reconnect. Our main objectives: Engage and mobilize people with West Coast connections around the World. Invite them home to see family and join our celebrations. Have Coasters generate tourism revenue from those coming home to boost our local economies.promote pride in the West Coast at home and abroad. Celebrate Coasters outstanding achievements and contributions to our communities. 15,366 members and our facebook weekly has exceeded 355,000 now tells you part of the story. Our next target is 20,000 members and a Friday to 100,000 Coast supporters (Its 31,000 at present) as we continue our small contribution to helping build a sustainable West Coast tourism sector. Bruce Smith,The Coaster Club Development team.

Add- On Activities. Christchurch to Christchurch 7 Day South Island Tour

Add- On Activities. Christchurch to Christchurch 7 Day South Island Tour Add- On Activities Christchurch to Christchurch 7 Day South Island Tour Day 1: Christchurch Lake Tekapo Sightseeing Flight Well worth the Cost, this is a flight of a lifetime over two World Heritage National