Driving to Grasmere
When you come back onto State Highway 6 from Lake Rotoroa Lodge, turn left, heading south
west.
You have three options, depending on how much you want to see along the way.
The fastest way is to turn left at Inangahua Junction onto SH 69 to Reefton and then right onto SH7, which will take you through to Greymouth.
If you want something a little more scenic (or just different) and have a little more time up your sleeve, carry on through Inangahua down the Buller Gorge.
Here again you can turn left to go down the coast past Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks to Greymouth.
Alternatively, take the turnoff for Westport but follow the signs for Carter’s Beach and Cape Foulwind instead of going into Westport proper. You're actually heading for Tauranga Bay, where there's a seal colony and a good cafe (The Bay House) for lunch. From there, take the short cut back to SH6 near Addisons, south of Westport.
Do take time to stop at Punakaiki to walk around the Pancake Rocks, and there are a couple of little cafes and a good craft shop here too.
At Greymouth you may like to stop at the Jade Boulder Gallery to see the work of one of the country's best greenstone artists. Sometimes the Left Bank Gallery further on Mawhera Quay has some good exhibitions by local artists too.
Go through Greymouth on SH6 to Kumara Junction, where you'll turn left onto SH73, and Grasmere Lodge is about 120 km further on, 30 km past Arthur's Pass village. It’s well-signposted, and on the right.
The shortest route between the two lodges will take about four hours, but there is plenty to see along the way, so plan to make a day of it and enjoy the beautiful West Coast.
State Highway 73 · Cass · Canterbury · Private Bag 55009 · Christchurch · New Zealand
Telephone +64 3 318 8407 · Fax +64 3 318 8263 · E-Mail Retreat@Grasmere.co.nz
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