Jackson Bay is at the end of the West coast road. After that all there is an unpaved road for a few more kilometres and then... wilderness and fjords. Stopped on the way for a short walk round the Hapuka Estuary, which is a lovely paved walk through forest and mud flats, filled with the sound of birdsong.
Jackson Bay is just a handful of houses, a jetty, and The Craypot, a fish and chip place. As we wanted to taste the local delicacies we stopped there for lunch. They make some nice battered fish and some wonderful chips. Then, bellies full, we did the short Wharekai - Te Konou walk down to a small beach. Joined a bunch of kids toasting marshmallows over a beach fire and then left to go back on the road North again.
After a quick stop at Haast again for provisions and a bit of playground, we continued North. Had to stop for a quick whitebait pattie at the Curly Tree Whitebait Company (nice but not amazing, though we got a cool lecture on the significance of whitebait). Then we walked on the beach a bit at Ship Creek. Finally, after Knight's Point, we arrived at Lake Paringa DOC campsite just as it was getting dark, in time to grab the last big space that was left.
Lesson learnt today: under no circumstances should I wear short trousers in this country, the sandflies love me and the bite cream hardly soothes the itching at all.
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