Collingwood

We could not wait to get away from the camp at Wharariki, so left as soon as we could and headed back to civilisation. We meandered our way up the coast, and finally came to Collingwood.

Collingwood is a very small town, but also a very old one. We were told that Abel Tasman was the first explorer to come here, although he never actually landed because his long boat was attacked by Maori as soon as it hit the water and 4 of the 5 crew were killed. For that reason, Golden Bay was originally called Murderer’s Bay. Gold was discovered here in 1856 but it was alluvial gold, and not in great quantities, so the gold rush only lasted 3 years. Since then the area has been mined for coal, for magnesium, and for flint.

We parked by the boat ramp and walked the town, which did not take long.

However, the place was really well looked after, clean and tidy. We discovered the original church built here in 1873, and it was really well preserved and still in use today. It is the oldest surviving building in Collingwood. Apparently there have been at least 3 fires in the town that destroyed a lot of the original buildings, but the church, being up a hill and a little away from the other buildings, survived.

We had a coffee in what was once the courthouse, and probably the only cafe I have been to where horses are tethered outside.

The town is on the meeting place of the Aorere River and the sea, and the beach is sandy; the river abundant with sea life.

We discovered the Collingwood Holiday Park and booked in there. It is probably the best complex we have been in. It is small, immaculately clean, and we have a park right on the river front. It costs the same amount as that horrible place at Wharariki. There is fresh water available and a dump station just out the gate!

We were able to relax on seats beside the van, watching a beautiful sunset, and the splashes if fish jumping in the river.