Activities
COMPETITION TIME! Do you love playing and creating on the beach? We do!
Build, draw, stack, create, using driftwood, stones and sand at Gentle Annie beach – then take a photo and upload to both our Facebook page @gentleannienz and Instagram using the hashtag #gentleannienz, and RECEIVE ONE FREE COFFEE per creation from the Cowshed Coffee Shop.
The Mokihinui river is a scenic delight; there are calm, clear, still water stretches and low grade rapids. Beautiful and ideal for beginners. Ideal for kayaking, tubing, swimming and paddle boarding.
Fishing: A variety of fish feed in this river/sea environment. Fish in the river for Brown Trout, Herrings and Kahawai and surf cast off the beach for Snapper, Rig, Butterfish and others.
Whitebait fishing: September to mid-November using scoop nets.
Cycling: A good way to get around Gentle Annie. Mountain bike along the Old Ghost Road, the Chasm Creek Walkway, the Charming Creek Walkway and/or the Denniston Plateau. For a workout, bike up the Karamea Bluff to the giant Matai Tree and lookout.
Swimming and Surfing: The river and sea both provide fun in the water. Body boarding is exciting at the St Helens Rapid in the Mokihinui river. Surf the Mokihinui river sandbar. Swim in sheltered swimming holes further up the river.
Play: Large lawns around the Cowshed Cafe building are ideal for setting up a game of cricket or soccer.
Spend time at the beach: Fossick for gemstones and native driftwood; construct driftwood and stone structures; and pan gold from the black sand.
Enjoy the wonderful sunsets, warmed by a driftwood fire and stargaze the clear night skies.
Gentle Annie Point Maze: At the top of Gentle Annie Point (30 minute walk from the bottom of the hill – please park there). Get lost in New Zealand’s only Native Plant Maze. Spot South Island Hector’s dolphins, Dusky dolphins, Buller’s mollymawk and the occasional seal playing in the waves.
Bird-watching: Spot many native and endemic birds (Kereru, Tui, Korimako (Bellbird), Piwakawaka (fantail), Kotare (kingfisher), paradise ducks, Pukeko, Weka, Pied Stilts, Pied Shag, Plover, Dotterel, Ruru (morepork – on a night walk) – to name but a few! Be treated to stunning birdsong at dawn and dusk.
Identify the Trees: Learn about some of the trees native to New Zealand.
Photography: Gentle Annie’s stunning setting provides many opportunities for people who enjoy taking photographs.
Reading: There is a large selection of good books available for you to borrow at the Cowshed Cafe.
Relaxation: Feet up, bum down, enjoy your stay at Gentle Annie.
Feel free to ask for further information.
Walking and Biking
On the Property
Walk or bike along the beach, up the river, or up to the Gentle Annie Point Bush Maze.
Walks Near Gentle Annie
Chasm Creek Walkway
A picturesque bend of the Mokihinui River reached by an easy, ten-minute walk, which follows the old railway line to Seddonville. Begin at signposted entrance about 1 km up the road towards Seddonville from the Mokihinui River Bridge. Follow track for about 10 minutes to reach the Chasm Hill Tunnel. Colourful moss drapes the railroad cuttings, and at night the tunnel houses a spectacular display of glowworms. Return the same way.
Charming Creek Walkway
A very popular walk, which was once the rail line by which timber and coal was hauled out of the Charming Creek Valley. It features several tunnels, great views of the Ngakawau Gorge and the spectacular Mangatini Falls. Begin at the abandoned Charming Creek Coal Mine behind Seddonville. You can walk in Approx. 1 1/2 hours to Mangatini falls, and then walk back the same way. Unfortunately, due to slips the Ngakawau end of the track is closed.
Mokihinui Gorge/Old Ghost Road
Once the bustling site of five gold mines and the main route through to Karamea. Grand views of the Mokihinui Gorge and lovely bush. Begin by following the road straight through Seddonville to the carpark at the Rough n Tumble Bush Lodge.
Mt Glasgow
An alpine tramp with magnificent views of the unique limestone landscape of Kahurangi National Park, the coast and coal plateau. The track is reached from the Charming Creek Road behind Seddonville. The signposted turnoff being about 5km from Seddonville. The hike is for the more adventurous. Approx. 8 hours return.
Walks to the South and North of Gentle Annie
Stockton Hill
A scenic drive up Stockton Hill to the historic incline walkway Further up the hill is the Stockton Coal Mine, the biggest hole in New Zealand.
Denniston Plateau
A virtual ghost town and site of the Denniston Incline, an engineering marvel. Amazing panorama from Mt. Rochford. Home to many interesting walking and mountain biking tracks. We highly recommend the brakehead walk and the information boards situated at the beginning of this track.
The Brittania Walkway
A gold mining and legal fossicking area.
Kawatiri River Trail
A walking and cycling track developed by the Buller Cycling Club and many volunteers. This trail takes you over the Orowaiti Lagoon, and out to both Shingle and North Beach reserves in Westport. Features floating boardwalks and bridges. Spot white and grey heron, as well as other wading birds.
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
A track takes you from Tauranga Bay or Cape Foulwind Lighthouse up onto the point where, from a viewing platform, you can watch the seals swimming or lazing on the rocks.
Lake Hanlon
A placid lake formed during the 1929 Murchison Earthquake. Begin on the Karamea Highway and about 8 kms south of Little Wanganui there will be a carpark on your right and a Department of Conservation sign on your left.
Wangapeka Track
A half-day valley walk to the first hut. A beautiful walk.
Karamea Area
Walk along the Heaphy Track to Scott’s Beach (2 hours return). Be sure to detour on to the Nikau Grove walking track to experience the world’s most southern growing palms (which also grow in abundance at Gentle Annie). The Oparara Basin and stunning Limestone Arches and the Fenian Basin are well-worth the 18km drive in. You may be lucky enough to spot a whio (native Blue duck)!
