"What a beauty spot".
Anna Howard - Elwood, Melbourne, Australia
A quick look at Karamea
Karamea is a secluded haven, situated at the end of the road, at the Northern end of the South Island’s West Coast. It is flanked by the bush-covered mountains of the Kahurangi National Park on the one hand and the Tasman Sea on the other.
Karamea, with its mild climate and beautiful surroundings, has that relaxed “off the beaten track” feeling not often found nowadays.
Our surrounding area has a wonderful array of untouched natural features and spectacles. Whether you’re a tramper, caver, botanist, geologist, hunter, fisherman, kayaker, surfer, mountain biker, keen photographer or just looking for a quiet, unspoilt spot for a romantic escape or a quality family holiday. Welcome to Karamea, we have it all – everything that is except a franchised fast food outlet.
Some local Karamea history
The local climate
Karamea has an average of around 2,000 sunshine hours per annum, making it the sunniest spot on New Zealand’s South Island’s West Coast. And giving it the title of “the winterless north” on the West Coast of the New Zealand’s South Island.
The overall West Coast region is around 600 kilometres (373 miles) long and Karamea is the most northern end, at the road end. Unlike the far south with its 8 metres (315 inches) per year of rainfall. Karamea’s temperate climate produces just over 1500mm (59 inches) of rain per year, just enough to keep the palm trees, tree ferns and the forest lush and green.
It is also comforting to know that New Zealand, because of it’s isolated geographic location has no dangerous animals or insects and no snakes whatsoever. In fact the worst thing you are likely to come across in the forest is ‘Sandflies’, their bite can be quite irritating but insect repellent stops them biting and becoming an annoyance.
We think you’ll agree that Karamea is a real, natural paradise.
Some recommended reading on Karamea
Some of the following books may be hard to obtain, especially if you are visiting our site from overseas. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to secure some local reading before arriving in Karamea, or if you can wait (and would like a good read while on holiday) we do have a supply of some of these books available for purchase at the Last Resort.
- North West Nelson Tramping Guide, by Derek Shaw. Published by Nikau Press, Box 602. Nelson.
- Buller Walks, by Terry Sumner. Published by Nikau Press.
- Karamea A Story of Success, Editor Dulcie Harmon. Published by Karamea Centennial Committee.
- Department of Conservation publications include specific track details.
- The Heaphy & its People, by Barry Chalmers.
