The West Coast Years

I lived on the West Coast for some years during the 1970s. The river port at Greymouth was a base for a fishing fleet and there were still colliers shipping out coal from the local mines. Most of these photos date from that time, with some from later visits. (22 photos - updated 2018)

The collier "Titoki" berthed at Greymouth wharf, West Coast

The collier Titoki at Greymouth wharf, June 1973

(ID: BW120229_119)


The collier "Titoki" after running aground inside the Grey River bar, Greymouth, West Coast
The Titoki aground inside the Grey River, 31 August 1975
(ID: BW121020_029)

Heavy rain in rainforest near Jackson Bay, South Westland

Rainforest near Jackson Bay, 2014

(ID: 20140102_152)


Truck descending new viaduct over Arthurs Pass

Viaduct on Arthurs Pass, 2017

(ID: 20170929_045)


Blowhole in Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, West Coast

Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, 2017

(ID: 20171002_069)


Man at work retreading tyres, Greymouth, West Coast

Tyre retreading, Greymouth, 1977

(ID: BW120115_133)


Franz Joseph Glacier as it was in 1971, Westland

Franz Josef Glacier, 1971

(ID: BW121105_091)


Dead trees in reservoir at Dillmanstown, West Coast

Dillmanstown, 1973

(ID: BW120229_108)


Andrew Cowan from Scotland in his car on 1973 Heatway Rally, near Greymouth

Andrew Cowan, Heatway Rally, 1973

(ID: BW121105_099)


New Zealand rally driver Mike Marshall in 1973 Heatway Car Rally near Greymouth

Mike Marshall, Heatway Rally, 1973

(ID: BW121105_102)


Fords Prefect competing in Westland Car Club bent sprint through Aorangi Reserve near Greymouth, West Coast

Westland Car Club event, Aorangi Reserve, 1977

(ID: SL130404_005)


Beech forest in the Grey Valley, West Coast

Beech Forest up the Grey Valley, 1977

(ID: BW200401_019)


Whitebait scooping for whitebait in the Grey River at Greymouth, West Coast

Whitebaiting at Greymouth, 1978

(ID: SL050922_004)


Old farm building at Karangarua near Bruce Bay, South Westland

At Karangarua near Bruce Bay, 1973

(ID: SL090610_036)


Smelting gold from the Kanieri Gold Dredge at Kumara, West Coast

Smelting gold near Kumara, 1979

(ID: PR040313_002)


The town of Greymouth with the Grey River entering the sea between Cobden and Blaketown, West Coast, as seen from the air

Greymouth and the Grey River, 1979

(ID: SL080525_006)


Graveyard with flowers at Blackball, West Coast

Blackball Cemetary, 1974

(ID: SL111010_008)


Three bridges across the Grey River at Greymouth

Bridges at Greymouth, 1979

(ID: SL130505_017)


Sunset behind cranes for loading coal along the wharf at Greymouth

Cranes on Greymouth Wharf, 1973

(ID: SL160525_006)


Old equipment at mine entrance, Ten Mile Valley, West Coast

Mine in Ten Mile Valley, 1979

(ID: SL160525_014)


Stephen McGrath shoeing a draft horse, Upper Buller Gorge, 1980

Stephen McGrath, Upper Buller Gorge, 1980

(ID: BW160403_002)


Stephen McGrath in his kitchen, Upper Buller Gorge, West Coast, 2017

Stephen McGrath, Upper Buller Gorge, 2017

(ID: 20171006_076)


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