GOLD AT THE RAINBOWS' END

From Motueka our route took us some 60 km down the Motueka Valley Highway to join State Highway 6.  After the hard graft of climbing up to the Hope Saddle, the driver couldn't resist the urge to turn into the summit view point.  It's a pity that he hadn't remembered the previous experience here as the parking space is too small and packed with cars and large campervans all jostling to get in and out.  And what with a plague of aggressive wasps and bees, interest in soaking up the fantastic views of the West coast mountains all too quickly dissipated.

But after making a safe escape without incident, we were soon back on SH6 tracking down the gorge of the upper Buller River for a reacquaintance with New Zealand's longest swingbridge.  Located at about 7 km beyond Murchison, the 110 metres long swing bridge is an attraction in its own right, but this time it would simply provide access to a higher adrenaline rush.

New Zealand's longest swingbridge

Buller Canyon Jet has the reputation as one of New Zealand's most exciting jet boat rides.  The mighty Buller River is squeezed into a narrow rock strewn canyon created by successive earthquakes down this fault line.  The last big quake was in 1968 and created the Newton and Fantail rapids.  All perfect ingredients for a high adrenaline ride.

It was strictly no hand luggage on this flight;  small cameras allowed but these had to be safely stowed and wrapped in plastic bags kindly provided by owner/operator Mark.  He had warned that there was a risk of getting slightly damp.

Narrow canyon of pink rock

In between bursts of high energy twists, turns and multiple 360 degree spins, there were opportunities to unwrap the cameras to shoot the pink, Potassium rich, rocks and even drink the crystal clear waters.

Mark showed us natural features such as "NZ's smallest waterfall" and the "tiny rainbows" that clustered around a marginally bigger waterfall as it dribbled into the river.  As the river bed is still genuinely rich with alluvial gold (and is still worked by a lone diver), clearly there is a pot of gold at the end of these particular rainbows.  Mark even produced a small pot of gold flakes he had collected to prove it.

A highly physical ride, and undoubtedly the most exhilarating experience ever for us.

Drifting for awhile to catch our breath

We howled with laughter throughout and the banter with Mark made it a totally unforgettable experience; at least until we dry off!  Five stars; brilliant!

"May get slightly damp" they said