There was a heavy rain warning for Nelson Marlborough so we stayed put at the Collingwood Motor Camp, and the next say dawned as if the bad weather had never happened. After completing the domestics (filling some tanks and emptying others) we made our way towards Motueka again, over the legendary Takaka Hill. This time it was Bruce’s turn to drive it’s steep corners.
Near the top we decided to have a look at the Ngarua Caves. The tour departed every hour so we signed up. The caves are on private farmland that is riddled with tomos and underground caves, but we were told that the cave we were taken through is the only one that has an accessible entrance.
We were kitted up with helmets and led into the cave that is apparently more than 30 million years old.
The temperature underground is a chilly 11 degrees, all year around, and there is next to zero humidity. Apparently, if you hung wet washing out in the caves it would take many years to dry. We were also told that you don’t feel and earthquake if you are in the cave, which I thought defied logic. The paths were narrow, and the cave itself featured 18 full moa skeletons (the smaller bush moa). Apparently the government has removed most but left a couple of skeletons for exhibition. It seems the moa fell down a tomo and either froze or starved to death.
The “Cathedral” of the cave was magnificent, with superb acoustics. The guide encouraged us to sing but there wasn’t anyone taking up his offer.
Apparently this piece of land, with its craggy rocks, was used for shooting part of the Peter Jackson Hobbit film. We were told they took 4 days to shoot just a few minutes of the movie, and no-one in the film took the opportunity of visiting the caves.
The grounds of the caves also offered a great view of Golden Bay.
Before long we were on the road again, heading for Motueka. My cold had gone so we called in to see Auntie Ellie, who has clearly deteriorated since we were here a year ago – so sad. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Mapua Wharf having a few drinks and chips with my cousin Dee and her husband David. They are a great couple and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.
To finish the day we headed back to the NZMCA park, with plans to travel to Westport the next day.
Away From Home NZ 