The most interesting view at this is some seals. Specifically NZ fur seal pups.
A shallow, sheltered pool is a favorite spot for females to give birth and fatten up their pups.
Of course the pups spend lots of time practicing seal life skills like diving, backflips, catching prey etc. The nearby rocks make for a great viewing spot, often less than 5 meters from the pool.
On the other side of Takaka Hill lies Te Waikoropupu Springs. With some of the clearest water in the country, these springs are the outflow of the sinkhole-and-cave-fed rivers on Takaka Hill. After spending up to 10 years filtering through the limestone, the water pours out of the ground a crystal-clear blue.
Our parking spot for the night was at Pupu Hydro Power Station. Located in the mountains above Golden Bay, this private power station uses an old gold-mining water race to feed a 250kW turbine. Originally rejected by the government as too expensive, the local government secured a loan to build the station in 1929. This became the first electrical supply for the region. It operated for 51 years continuously at 0.8 gigawatt hours yearly before its first major failure due to previous lightning-strike damage. Currently the station makes more than 150,000$NZD per year in electricity, with post-restoration capacity being double initial output.
The facility is an operating museum, and a walking track loops around the water race and penstock. Check out the power room below. The turbine in the cylinder closest, and the alternator is farthest. Notice the enormous flywheel and mechanical/hydraulic governor. Most of the equipment is original from 1929.
The replacement pelton water wheel cups (machined from solid stainless).
Here is the cableway used to move materials up to the water race. Just below it, the penstock starts its 107-meter vertical drop to the turbine.
It is a bit of a hike up the mountain to where the race begins.
Here is the river that feeds the station. Being whitewater rapids, the blue ducks were right at home.
Here is the race entrance gate. Under the blue drum (left) electronic controls regulate the water flow, and monitor for blockage.
The walkway straddles the race as it winds precariously across the steep mountainside.
This is the inlet filter/grate. An automatic brush cleans debris from it regularly.
The penstock and cableway from above.
Past the penstock, the remains of the original raceway are still present.
Check out that old valve and pipe. The pipe is spiral wound sheet secured with rivets, and wateproofed with tar paper! Likely original.
Still holds water in places…
Love the blue water and baby seals!!
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