Hello- I'm going to drive from Abel to Greymouth in one day (leaving early in the morning) and I would like to know if anyone has any recommendations of cute towns, scenic overlooks (I am an avid photographer) or short hikes (1 hour -1.5 hrs return) on the way. My hotel is in Greymouth but I don't mind going thru Westport/Punakai on the way. I have time other days to hit Punakai if needed.

thanks in advance for your help!
Michelle

Hi Michelle -

As this is a 6.5 hour drive without stops, you might not have a whole lot of extra time en route.

Where in the Abel Tasman area will you be coming from exactly?

If from Marahau, you'll drive right through Ruby Bay, Mapua and Tasman on your way towards the SH 6 turnoff towards Puankaiki. There's a great little bakery on the Mapua wharf called the Naked Bun and some cute little shops & cafes.

If you've not seen Kaiteriteri while in the Abel Tasman Region, you might want to make the short detour there or to Little Kaiteriteri Beach - glorious beach views and good photo ops.

You might also be interested in an alternative drive along the Moutere Highway, which will take you through some pretty countryside before rejoining 60 and SH 6.

Or you could take the more direct route, turning south earlier, before you reach SH 6 at Richmond, at the Motueka Valley Highway (if memory serves, it begins right in the town of Motueka, the turn is easy to miss). This is a beautiful little drive through the countryside that follows the Mouteka River - it's especially pretty in the autumn. You'll rejoin SH 6 at Kohatu, and then head south towards Murchison.

I got some glorious photos one year near the unlikely spot of Owen River on this route, and the scenery alongside the Buller River can be pretty amazing when the light is good.

There are walks near Lake Rotoroa, which would take you off the highway for a bit, but probably too much of a detour.

More accessible however, is the swingbridge walk at Murchison (fee applies) as well as s few walks easy to access from town.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...son-day-walks/

Don't Maruia Falls, 8 km SW of Murchison, good photo ops there too.

And then of course, the coastline between Westport and Punakaiki is also a photographer's dream when the weather is cooperates.

You're spoiled for choice. Have a great trip!

Melnq8 - you always are great for tips - Thanks so much (again)! I will look into these and see which ones I'd like best. It's nice to have options so thanks for suggesting a few.

No worries, mhohol. Enjoy NZ.

I looked at your previous post mhohol. As you're going to Greymouth from Marahau, AA shows it's only 4.5 hours.

When I plug in a generic Abel Tasman to Greymouth, it comes up with 6.5.

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/time-...calculator.php