In my series of A-Z of NZ Locations, I will take you for a meander around areas that are unique gems, some yet to be polished though worth a visit for either historical reasons, culinary delights or for the sheer vistas.
With my second location, we head down the Motu to the South Island Wild West Coast. B is for Barrytown, a small settlement, more like a village than a town. Visitors have commented, “don’t blink, or you will miss it “.
It’s located on a thin strip of farmland between the sea and the Paparoa mountains. The township was founded in the 1860s, during the gold rush era. With a population of 2000 during the gold rush, the town was bustling with eleven hotels, and the All Nations Hotel is its only surviving hotel.
Recently, there have been media articles regarding the re-establishment of mining in this small community; for their sake, I hope not.
Nowadays, you will find artisans than miners. Even with improved roading and modern transport, it’s still a remote part of New Zealand where being self-efficient would be a priority. The town is surrounded by luscious native bush, so hunting would attract hunters, and the ocean would cover a bounty of fishing activities.
The vistas are excitingly wild as the town sits in the region of Paparoa and near the southern end of Pakiroa Beach, where small greenstone (pounamu) pebbles have been washed into the sea from rivers and then naturally polished by wave action can be found on occasions. Then there is Paunakaiki, with impressive pancake rocks, a formation similar to the Devil’s Causeway in Ireland.
A place to be invigorated by nature and to experience good old Southern Hospitality.
Life at No. 22 
Hello Suzanne,
Greetings from the other side of Earth. I have just breezed through a few of your blog posts and enjoyed your photography. I couldn’t help but notice that you might be a “map nerd” like me. New Zealand is on my bucket list and got bumped up a notch when I traveled there vicariously with John Guzzwell.
I just finished reading the account of his 4 year solo circumnavigation in his 20 foot long yawl which he built in Victoria, BC, Canada. He, his wife Maureen and two sons lived in Russell, NZ (North Island – Bay of Islands) for a few years in the late 1960’s. Cheers from Vermont, USA to another fellow traveler. Stewart
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting, Stewart. We currently don’t travel though have clocked up many kms in previous years. Now, we are enjoying living in the Bay of Plenty and all that has to offer.
I hope you do get the opportunity to head down to New Zealand which I am sure you will enjoy exploring.
LikeLike
What a wo0nderful place to visit! Wonderful photos 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is different and on a sunny day the place is near perfection.
LikeLike
Those images of the sea and the rocks are just gorgeous, Suzanne. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Sue 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those last two pictures are particularly stunning. What a lovely place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t particularly enjoy the West Coast on our first visit as we, unfortunately, got a motel room that was very damp with a musty smell. High rain fall around this area during most seasons.
Then during the motorhome years, our visits were enjoyable and the big bonus was we had our own bed.
LikeLike
Good accommodation always makes a big difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true, Anabel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are the sort of places I like to find when travelling. I’m not so keen on the typical tourist attractions. I only wish I had managed to get over to your stunning country when I was much younger and had time to meander around the two islands, but then I had neither money nor time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I am with you regarding going to less touristy destinations. The West Coast is unique and definitely a place to spend time exploring. Travelling years ago was far more expensive and usually only a selected few ventured across the other side of the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, those coastal views are wonderful! I especially love that next to last shot – stunning seascape 😮
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me, I enjoy being by the coast and the west is more invigorating and life affirming. The forest walks are incredible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is proving to be a good series. When I looked at your first picture, even before I read he paragraph, I thought that looked a polished image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Derrick, pleased you are enjoying the series. For me, I am appreciating areas that we once visited and need to do so again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos, Suzanne. I particularly love the second to last one. It’s a beautifully scenic area, I hope it’s not ruined by mining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Cathy. I agree regarding the mining and only wish there was another way of creating more work opportunities for the locals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fascinating shape, New Zealand, isn’t it? So many coves and cliffs, wiggling all down the islands. Longer than I thought too. I was trying to compare driving times top to bottom with the UK but it’s not a fair comparison. It’s certainly very beautiful, Suzanne. Why would you ever leave?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect the north island is pretty much the same length as Scotland to the south coast of England. But then you have the sea crossing to reach the south island.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could be right Jude and when I get time I will find out and let you know. Oh, don’t mention the ferry crossing as it’s becoming a right nuisance to use lately due to weather and less ferries available.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a fascinating shape and your comment made me examine it more. Here’s a tweet from an ex Prime Minister which gives you a bit of an idea that NZ isn’t so small after all. Many NZers are nomadic type people that love to explore though we always return home like good wee kiwis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Link https://twitter.com/HelenClarkNZ/status/1157885933321981952?s=20
LikeLike
Well, that’s helpful, Suzanne. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos are so enticing! I’d love to get away someplace so remote, wild, and scenic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am with you, Eilene, regarding the desire to get away to somewhere remote, wild and scenic. One day, though in the meantime I am loving our local area for recreational pursuits.
LikeLiked by 1 person