WEST COAST: GREYMOUTH

The Coast Honey is about half way between Hokitika and Greymouth, and has a really nice cafe. You can try many different varieties of their honey, as well as a variety of honey skin creams and see live bee displays.

We called in for lunch on our way from Hokitika to Greymouth. It wasn't a planned stop, but it looked interesting, and it was right on lunch time.

After a very nice lunch, we introduced ourselves to Brenda, the honey centre owner, and were impressed with her enthusiasm for everything that visitors could see and do locally. She then emailed me the following list:

1. Serpentine Beach is a 10 minute walk from the honey centre, and is a rustic West Coast beach where you can find greenstone, jasmine, and many other coloured stones that have been naturally polished by the sea.
2. Taramakau River is a 5 minute drive from the honey centre, and from there you can stroll along the banks of the river all the way to Serpentine beach.
3. There is salmon fishing and whitebait in season. You can also catch flounder and kawahai - ask Brenda and she'll point you to the best spots.
4. Goat cheese farm is just 5 minutes walk from the honey centre, and there are also some really nice walks in the Kumara town centre.
5. You can try out pub meals at the Paroa hotel, or enjoy fine dining at the Theatre Royal.

Brenda is happy for self-contained motor caravanners to park overnight in the honey centre carpark. There's plenty of room even for the largest vans. You should ask at the Junction Cafe if you're planning to stay.

We didn't have time to check everything out, but we did drive down to Serpentine beach where we spent an enjoyable hour or so fossicking for coloured stones.

Coast Honey products on display and for tasting

The Junction Cafe in the Coast Honey Centre