Lookout at Point Elisabeth
Greymouth, on the mouth of the Grey River, was built by the sweat and muscle of miners. From whatever direction that I’ve driven into this town, which is on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the marks of industry can be seen - workshops servicing oversized equipment, railway yards full of coal wagons and quarrying for new roads. Although, don't be fooled Greymouth has sites of exquisite beauty too.
The start of the Point Elisabeth Walkway is on the edge of the Tasman Sea, 6 kilometres north from the centre of town. The trip out took me past Victorian facades, over the Grey River Bridge, and through Cobden to North Beach.
At first the path climbs steeply then curves gently around the Point Elizabeth Headland to Rapahoe. In a way, the track treads back in time as it follows a gold mining water-race built in the late 1800’s.
On the walk out to the lookout I always enjoy reading the native plant identification signs, listening to the surf, and smelling the salty coastal forest. The view from the lookout is up there with the visual feasts that can be seen from Cape Foulwind and Knights Point - my two other West Coast favourites.
In the distance, Mt Cook/Aoraki - Australasia’s highest peak, towers above gathering clouds; and on the shoreline (at the right time of year) youthful seals catch the sun’s rays. Reminding me that this is only one of the reasons why Greymouth is gorgeous and definitely worth visiting.
At first the path climbs steeply then curves gently around the Point Elizabeth Headland to Rapahoe. In a way, the track treads back in time as it follows a gold mining water-race built in the late 1800’s.
On the walk out to the lookout I always enjoy reading the native plant identification signs, listening to the surf, and smelling the salty coastal forest. The view from the lookout is up there with the visual feasts that can be seen from Cape Foulwind and Knights Point - my two other West Coast favourites.
In the distance, Mt Cook/Aoraki - Australasia’s highest peak, towers above gathering clouds; and on the shoreline (at the right time of year) youthful seals catch the sun’s rays. Reminding me that this is only one of the reasons why Greymouth is gorgeous and definitely worth visiting.
Looking towards Mt Cook Aoraki from the start of the track.
Looking towards Rapahoe
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