Travelling Up the Nile (No not THAT one !)

This morning we had a visit from an old Air Force buddy of mine who used to work with me back in my days at RNZAF Auckland  thirty something years ago.   He has recently retired from the NZ Police after joining them after his time in the Air Force and ending his police career here in Westport.   We caught up through “Old Friends” on Trade Me !

Following his visit we drove back 28km to Charleston this morning to travel on the Charleston Nile River Rainforest Train up the valley through magnificent limestone cliffs along the banks of the Nile River.   This train recreates the bush trams of old which used to transport logs, gold bearing ore, services and people.  The Charleston Goldfields produced in excess of 4 million ounces of gold and supported a population upwards of 30,000 at its peak in 1869.   It was so big that the Government of the day considered making Charleston the Capital of New Zealand. After a short drive from Charleston we arrived at Festival Station, so named because of the Large Music Festivals which were held in the flat area next to the the river where we now parked.   They were stopped when the organiser realised he was making lots of friends but no money!

The train creaks, groans, bumps as it meanders slowly through the dense bush while our driver Graham gave us a commentary on the history of the valley and it’s flora.

         Through the Bush                      “Ships Prow” Formation

The train slowed a few times on the way up to avoid running over the resident sheep which kept jumping out in front of the train and then scarpering down the track behind us.

Finally arriving at soft rock station we alighted and were informed of a 30 min busk walk while Graham took some underwater cavers back to the car park.     The train carries the underground water rafters as well as those of us undertaking the more sedentary scenic train ride !  The track goes through lovely native bush, across a suspension bridge on its way to the Ananui (Metro) Cave where the rafters start their underground adventure.

What he neglected to tell us was that there were 119 roughly hewn steps to climb before we reached the cave entrance !   Anyway we finally made it and had a look inside the entrance as far as we could before reaching the locked gates.

View back to the Entrance                 Further into the Depths

Back through the bush to await the trains arrival and we were joined by one of the local residents – a NZ bush robin.   He quite often meets the train and shares some of Grahams lunch whenever he gets a chance.

In came the train to pick us up for the trip back through the bush.