Charmed, I'm Sure

On the recommendation of our cottage's owners, we set aside Wednesday to explore the Charming Creek Walkway, which runs into the hills from Hector. The walkway, now managed by the Department of Conservation, is the old coalmine company railway track from the turn of the last century, and lots of antique coalmining artifacts decorate the track. Coal is still a huge industry here, and the largest open pit coal mine in NZ is still in operation nearby (but with higher-tech equipment!). Most houses in the rural areas of NZ are still coal heated.
We were soon charmed by the diversity of the track. We passed through dappled sun and cool green shade, passed under overhangs thickly covered in plants, scampered over open rockfalls, braved dark tunnels, peered up at the towering tree ferns and down at the 'creek' (more like a river!) far below, and were surprised to find rata in flower this late in the season.



The most spectacular, however, were the waterfalls, from tiny trickles to roaring torrents. Along the way we enjoyed this multi-level fall, and after an hour of walking came upon this huge, rainbow-adorned fall adjacent to a long suspension bridge. This seemed like a pretty good highlight, so we then headed back along the trail. During our whole trek we met only 4 other people, all going the opposite way. No overcrowding here!