Wairau Diversion - Blenheim

If you're looking for a free place to camp, the Wairau Diversion Reserve might be just the ticket. After seeing some photos of this place I was keen to check it out.

Wairau Diversion Reserve is a large area (much bigger than I'd imagined) with plenty of places to park. Much of the ground is dry, firm and relatively level. If you're already a passionate whitebaiter, I'm sure you already know about this spot. If not, maybe you might like to start a new hobby - whitebaiting can be as relaxing or as energetic as you like. 

The camping area is between the lower bridge on Neal Road (on the northern side) all the way to the river mouth - if you're self contained you can stay for two nights. An added bonus is that it's a dog friendly area. 

I parked the car beneath a small stand of pine trees near the river mouth and walked the dogs along the foreshore. Heading north, I could see Rarangi in the distance, so I made a mental note to return at a later date to walk along the beach as far as I/we could go.

As usual, the Pacific Ocean made its presence known, waves thundered in accompanined by the sound of gravel being sucked out. A neccessary reminder to keep the dogs out of the water.

I wondered if the guy (pictured below) was having any luck whitebaiting, he'd chosen a spot right at the mouth. As the dogs were with me, I didn't go over to ask how he was getting on. Oakly has a habit of investigating anything in buckets or boxes (or laundry cupboards!), so I kept him away from temptation.

The campers pictured below, had chosen a spot with million dollar views out to sea. They'd parked as close as they could to the foreshore so no-one could squeeze infront to spoil their outlook.

We walked back along the river bank, often stopping to watch whitebaiters clothed in waders, waiting patiently for a shoal of bait to arrive with the incoming tide. Set nets and strainers rested on the grassy verge, suggesting certain spots were taken. Some of the pole nets looked to be homemade, while others had that shiny look of first season use.

The whitebait season opens between the 15th of August and 30th of November (inclusive) in all areas of N.Z. (except the West Coast and Chathams). You can only fish between 5:00am and 8:00pm outside of daylight savings, and during daylight savings, the hours of are 6:00am to 9:00pm. Anyone who sets or uses a whitebait net must remain within 10 metres of their net. All fishing gear must be removed from the water at the end of fishing or at the end of the day.

The Wairau River is one of the longest rivers in the South Island. It runs for 170kms, starting from the Spenser Mountains which are part of the Southern Alps. Justifiably, Maori people, named it 'many waters' as the lower and middle parts of the river are braided over a wide shingle bed. The river flows under the Tuamarina Bridge (on SH 1), and from there gets wider and slower and becomes influenced by the tide. 

The Wairau Diversion was built in the early 1960s to prevent severe flooding problems that took place at Spring Creek, near Tuamarina. Stop banks were created to form a new course for the Wairau River, which ran from Tuamarina more directly to the sea, at Cloudy Bay.
Fishing for kahawai at the mouth of the river during summer and autumn usually results in good catches. Sea trout fishing is also popular at the mouth during summer.

As we were walking across the reserve, I heard a whirring sound above, which gradually became louder. Eventually, not one ... but five helicopters flew overhead.

If you like fishing, you'll love it at the Wairau Diversion Reserve. If you like walking, you'll love it here too. If you like peace and quiet, this place won't disappoint.

And, just as I was leaving, I spotted this motorhome with a nifty name - "No Regerts"