Wheels Go Round in Winter Wonderland – Larrys Creek, Reefton

Nothing like some fresh air to help you get a good nights sleep and on our latest winter adventure “fresh” air was something we had in abundance.

Reefton was our port of call – and if someone asks me what would be my favourite thing about Reefton I’d have to say……

the scenery with its lush, green enchanted forests…….

the great outdoors with so much to see and do……..

but seriously possibly my favourite thing about Reefton would have to be Broadway Tearooms and Bakery – come on you knew that was coming – cakes, biscuits, muffins, slices, squares, homemade bread, filled rolls mmmmmm!

There is certainly something that draws us back to Reefton, time and time again and it may have something to do with the fact that our walks or rides all start with a visit to the Bakery – and they all end there too!  Pretty hard to beat a place that has a great bakery that draws you in pre adventure and again post adventure.

Our latest adventure has to be a candidate for the coolest ride in Reefton – in more ways than one.

It is a very very very – did I mention very, chilly day but oh so gorgeous with not a cloud in the sky.  Plenty of frost on the ground though – and on much of the vegetation.  This is possibly one of the colder winter’s we’ve had here on the West Coast – hence one of the “coolest” little rides, but if it means clear sunny skies that’s ok, we’ll take it.

Larrys Creek track on the outskirts of Reefton is our calling.  After meeting our friends Nina and Raewyn at the bakery and stocking up with our lunch and perhaps a little pre-ride treat we headed out the road.  The trail starts approximately 16kms on the outskirts of Reefton heading north towards Nelson/Westport.

We park up at the start of the forestry road that leads up the valley.  It is a gorgeous morning with clear blue skies but there is quite a bit of morning fog still hanging in the air right where we park.  Thankfully we can see the blue skies trying to break though up the valley.

The forestry road meanders up the valley for about 6kms, first through some beautiful beach forest and then through pine forest before finally meeting the start of the Larrys Creek walking track.

We’re in and out of sunny spots but once in the trees the trail meanders along the edge of the river and the sun is unfortunately on the other side.  Still stunningly beautiful though.

With our wheels crunching across the winter wonderland and rays of sunshine trying to find their way through the trees we continue on through the forest.

It is only a short piece of single track – about 2.5kms before it converges at the side of the river and what is known locally as “trout pool”.  Needless to say a great spot for fishing in the season – and would make a great swimming hole in the summer, but no way today we’re venturing in there.

We have one more small section to bike to make the end of the trail – up to the historic Duffys Mine Shaft and after a very short but sharp little climb appearing out of nowhere is this most fantastic steam engine relic.

Feels quite surreal to see this structure just sitting here amongst the forest.  After an obligatory photo with the boys time to head back out – too cold today to be hanging around for too long.

The ride back out on the single track is an absolute blast – once you know the track and that it is all quite rideable, you can have a bit more fun.  We were hoping to have had our lunch break at Trout Pool but as there was no sunshine there we needed another spot and soon found one right at the end of the single track.

Nina kindly got to work boiling the billie for a hot cuppa and we all chowed down on our bakery treats.  While it was nice sitting in the sunshine the air temperature was still pretty cold so time to hit the road again and get back to the car and to some warmth.  That and there was a custard square calling our name back at the bakery…….

Jan and Stephen run Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Great Coast Road north of Greymouth.  Together with their two dogs Nico and Ziggy they enjoy getting out and exploring the West Coast and sharing their discoveries and adventures.