We had a helicopter ride on of the days, we went up the Mokihinui gorge until nearly to the Forks then went up into the hills and right over Mt Glasgow and came down over Old Forest. It was a beautiful clear day and we had views for miles, the mountains east of the Glasgow range stretched as far as the eye could see and there were high tarns. It was quite difficult to pick out Old Forest and our caravan site from the helicopter as it is such thick bush and massive tall trees.


Waiting for our ride plus a view looking down over the Seddonville settlement, the surrounding farms and the Mokihinui River winding it's way out to sea, Old Forest is in the bush area in the foreground of this photo. Seddonville Hotel is hard to pick out but it is one of the larger buildings in the middle of this photo. It is the mail/postal centre for the area and it also has a wee shop with fresh bread and newspapers every day plus all sorts of other things that you might need on holiday or camping or even the locals may need. Seddonville has a permanent population of around 72.

It was quite difficult to spot our caravan in the thick bush from the helicopter and almost impossible to see our driveway when we flew over it (our driveway is about 100-120 metres long).

We walked part of the Charming Creek walkway one day, a couple of photos of Marilyn on the walk. It was our wedding anniversary, we later went to the Charming Creek Hotel at Ngakawau for lunch and then went for a walk on the beach at Hector. That evening we had a meal at Drifters restaurant/bar at Granity then called into the Seddonville pub on our way home for a drink and some conversation.

Locking up the caravan, ready to go home after our holiday.


A last look back up our driveway, it was a great holiday.

18th & 19th December 2006, Nathan and Marilyn have a quick visit to Old Forest (on drive from Dunedin to Pukekohe). The nikau are thriving.

Nathan's car at the end of Mokihinui Preserve Road, facing into our driveway. (Nathan's car is fully loaded with all of his things from Dunedin.)

A weka family, two adults and a younger one hunting for food.

A beautiful kereru (wood pidgeon) in the trees of Old Forest.

The new footbridge over Burke Creek plus the Burke Creek ford.

Nathan on Gentle Annie beach.

On 16/17th December 2005 Nathan & Bridie plus Bridie's brother Bernard visited Old Forest - took many photos of the driveway which is presently being made up into Old Forest. They also explored the small canyon and went down to Murphy Creek then camped the night at Gentle Annie beach camp by the Mokihinui rivermouth. Below are their photos.

Views of the driveway that is presently being made up into Old Forest.

Views of the driveway & trees along edge.

Bridie & Bernard at Murphy Creek

Nathan and Bernard exploring the small canyon. They didn't take cameras down into the canyon as it is so steep.

Looking down into the canyon.

Gentle Annie beach & Mokihinui rivermouth

West Coast sunset at Gentle Annie Beach.

Nathan, Bridie & Bernard at Gentle Annie camp & on the beach.