Buller Gorge and More West Coast

On our way south from Nelson, we stopped at  Buller Gorge, where a pay-to-cross swing bridge lets you access some old gold mine workings, and the part of the White Creek fault.


In 1929 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck this region.  In addition to hundreds of deaths across the island, this faultline was lifted 4.5 meters in less than a minute.  On the left you can see the sheer rock face, which formed from flat ground.
 

This 5-meter cliff along the white creek formed during the earthquake as well.



As the scene of various gold mining operations throughout the first half of the 20th century, there are plenty of old alluvial mineorks scattered about.


This 5ft tall water wheel once drove mining  equipment using high-pressure water, piped from the mountain streams.






While walking through some of the older forest section we spotted a Tui.







Continuing up the west coast, we wandered down the Cape Foulwind walkway.


The rocky shores are a favored resting area for a seal colony.  This time of the year the females are fattening up their pups, which are only a few months old.