Buller 3-day adventure ride report

[cooneyr]

Whilst watching the Nelson Port Street Races, Plug and I formulated a plan for a adventure ride to the northern west coast (Buller area not West Coast I’ve been told). The trip to Murchison was pretty uneventful other than the awesome Porika track and the awesome views of Lake Rotoroa (pic 1). From Murch it was a quick run down the Buller George to the Iron Bridge. After a chat to the gateman we were on our way towards the Mackley river or so we thought. We came across the west coast railway line which were weren’t suppose to. As we backtracked eventually we came across a fork with a white sign saying Denniston to the right – doh.

Eventually got to the Mackley River (pic2) but had to cross Blue Duck Stream first. Plug had his first lie down in it then managed to turn his exhaust into an impressive water cannon. From there it was a steep climb up to what we thought was the Denniston Plateau only to find a deep valley with a massive span in the transmission lines. Awesome views from up there though (pic3). As we were back tracking I had a little lie down trying to get out of a drain. Once back on the track we had an even steeper climb up to the plateau where we had a bit of a look round then dropped under the cloud to a impressive view of the sun lighting up the Tasman.

Next day was up bright and early for the trip to Reefton. Took in the Inangahua Landing road to get off the straight boring highway. After a pie and coffee it was off to the Big River track to dump unnecessary gear. The track was pretty lumpy but interesting with the views (pic4), old damns and adits. Got to the Big River mine site (pic5) and had a good look around – wouldn’t drink any water from round there with the Mercury, Cyanide and all. Then went and had a look at the winching plant and poppet head. Damn impressive that they got all that steel in there way back when. We cranked out, picked up the gear, and headed for Ahaura via Ikamatua.

After a speedy trip up Napoleon hill we took the wrong turn and headed down to the Waipuna Creek while looking for caves with creeks through them. We realised we got it wrong so crossed Waipuna Creek (Plugs 2nd lie down and water cannon act) to ask the cocky who told us to go down Waipuna creek. We eventually found the caves and started upstream (pic6). After riding though the tunnels we decided to have a walk and look around and thought we might find where we missed the turn off from the other track. Many pics (on Plugs camera) and 6 kms later we decided to head back to the bikes without finding the track junction. We decided that we would stay the night at the Ikamatua Hotel and come back and ride from where we thought the junction was the next morning. One the way out I had a lie down in the Waipuna Creek (damn algae).

Ikamatua pub is defiantly the place to stay – basic but clean and $25pp for a room. Awesome T-bone steak and chips. Will be staying again. Interesting petrol price (pic7 - second post). Got up early and headed off on round two of Napoleon Hill. Found the right turn off and headed down the hill. We knew it was steep and slippery (hard wet clay) followed by a boulder field from the walk. Was easier to ride than we thought and was awesome trip down to the tunnels and out (pic8). Back to the Pub to get gear then off to Springs via the Rahu. From here we went over Maruia Saddle (pic9) to the Matakitaki River then tried to see if we could go upstream to link up with a road to the Braeburn Track. After ridding down a cattle race, wallowing in a bit of mud, bush bashing on foot and cooking cause of the heat we bailed for Murchison and a cold drink. Didn’t find a route but think it maybe possible if on lighter bikes.

From there it was a quick blat over the Braeburn to the Porika where we met a German fella on a hired XT 600 wanting to get to St Arnaud. We led him out which he repaid with a beer. I was getting low on fuel but the gas station had closed so put the emergency 1l I was carrying in and went for it. I managed to get to Richmond with about 1l in the tank.

My tyre at the end was naffed so I got a D606 from Filco and stuck it on for the Rainbow ride the next week (pic10). I rode the rainbow with two cars so was slow and boring not to mention wet. Got a couple of picks though (pic11&12). More pics from Plug to come.

Cheers
R

[cooneyr]

10chr.....

[Ghost Lemur]

Great writeup. Great pics.

If I wasn't already pyning for my bike before I certainly would be now.

So why were you stuck slow behind two cars? Were you travelling with them? Should have just taken off, had some fun and waited for them at the end.

[cooneyr]

So why were you stuck slow behind two cars? Were you travelling with them? Should have just taken off, had some fun and waited for them at the end.

I did have a look around a few of the pylon access tracks but had family in the cars so was generally gate to gate or ford to ford runs then wait 5 mins. Took around 6 hours NN to Chch where as guess it would have taken around 4 by myself.

Cheers
R

[Transalper]

Weee bit gutted I missed out on this but prioritys had me elsewhere.

[Crisis management]

I'm moving to the South Island....best I can do here is jump kerbs!
Great write up, thanks!

[cooneyr]

Weee bit gutted I missed out on this but prioritys had me elsewhere.

I'd do it again Good luck trying to get the three days fine hot weather we had though.

I'm moving to the South Island....best I can do here is jump kerbs!
Great write up, thanks!

Come on down! This was only a little little part of the the top western 1/8th (ish) of the island. Opps did I just say that out loud? Its all orrible and narsty down here - nothing but concrete

[SDU]

You lucky buggars. Glad you had a awesome trip. Great pics & write up R.

[clint640]

Great stuff! I've got to do that run through the Mackley some time, might have a recce in the 4x4 when we're down in April.

You can go along the Matakitaki from the Braeburn to the Maruia, I've done it by 4x4 a couple of times, you'd want the level to be lowish though.

You might want to downsize those pics a bit so we can see more than a corner at a time & to go easy on thosepoor buggers with dialup.

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

You can go along the Matakitaki from the Braeburn to the Maruia, I've done it by 4x4 a couple of times, you'd want the level to be lowish though.

The cocky told us it could be done but with the heat, fast flowing river, unsure of route after the river and at the end of 2.5 days riding we though best leave for another day. Were were looking at it as a possible link for a 1000km in a day dirt ride but probably too difficult for that anyway

Cheers
R

[alfonz]

nice write up i and pic,s i did the same thing as you but a slightly different way i took the wrong turn on the deniston track and came to the railway line as well when i got to the mackley it was to high to cross so had to back track .will post me trip later great photos

[gijoe1313]

Yowsa, great ride report - really have to hand it to you for getting out there and doing the deed! Inspiring stuff and definitely something I will do later! Nice piccies and ... oh, I's so jealous

[cooneyr]

More pics of the ride from Plug.

1 - Me crossing the Mackley.
2 - Plug crossing the Mackley.
3 - Top of the wrong wrong pylon track looking towards Buller River.
4 - Looking north from just east of Deniston Plateau.
5 - Looking towards Westport from just of Densiton Plateau.
6 - Winding plant at Big River Mine

[cooneyr]

And more -

1 - Winding plant shed and poppet head at Big River Mine.
2 - Lost of Napoleon Hill Track.
3 - Being silly buggers while lost on Napoleon Hill Track.
4 - Tunnels on the right Napoleon Hill Track.
5 - Chasm of Napoleon Hill Track
6 - Looking up main chasm on Napoleon Hill Track.

[cooneyr]

Last but not least.

1 - Plug being artistic at a creek on Maruia Saddle.
2 - Plug trials riding at a creek on Maruia Saddle.
3 - Checking with contractor for directions while trying to join up Matakitaki Road and Tutaki Road.
4 - Looking down Matakitaki River.
5 - Trying to join up Matakitaki Road and Tutaki Road without much luck (got much worse than this).
6 - With our German friend in St Arnaud just before he bough us a beer.

Cheers R