Gillespies Beach, New Zealand

  I remember how excited I was when I found out there is a Tamarack beach in California, so when we stumbled across the fact that a Gillespies Beach existed here in New Zealand we immediately put it on the itinerary. What we didn't realize at the time is that it would prove to be an incredible stop with a not so bad drive to get there added in as a bonus.

Fields of sheep and Fox Glacier

We have been hanging out in Franz Joseph for a couple days waiting for a break in the weather in order to open up hikes on the glacier. But instead of sitting inside and watching movies we decided to explore the countryside and track down Gillespies Beach. On the way we past raging rivers, waterfalls falling right onto the road, sheep filled pastures, and we even got a good look at Fox Glacier when the clouds parted for just a few minutes.

Mutant shorebreak at Gillespies Beach

  The road out to Gillespies beach is unpaved and through dense wilderness. We came across a wild looking possum that looked like a mix between a huge rat and small bear. Sheep dotted the sides of the road on the last kilometer before the beach. They wanted no part in petting, no matter how hard we tried they always ran away. But once we emerged onto the beach itself we were shocked to see just how wild this coast is.

"You shall not pass!"

Captivated by the waves

  Oval shaped, flattened rocks covered the beach, and pounding shorebreak continuously slammed into the rocks near the water's edge. The waves were mutating into all kinds of beautiful forms, from perfect barrels to towering backwash. The three of us just stood and stared at the waves for a good half hour. Myles found an impromptu wizard's staff made out of driftwood and preceded to stand right at the water's edge yelling "You shall not pass!" as the water rushed up the rocks towards him. Somehow he stayed dry. Middle Earth is never too far away here in New Zealand.

Water in motion

Gillespies Beach