THE BULLER GORGE
Lake Rotoiti is the source of the Buller River and from here it heads westward to reach the Tasman Sea at Westport. Scene of earthquakes, floods, and home to hundreds of transient workers during goldmining times, the gorge has been a challenge to horsemen, coach drivers, roadmakers and bridge builders alike.
Maori used the river as a highway and helped early European explorers and goldminers to negotiate the treacherous rapids.
Newman Brothers Coachlines Coaches would stop at various vantage points along the gorge. Their passenger and mail run through the upper Buller Gorge began in 1883. A full day was needed to travel by horse and coach from Longford (near Murchison) to Lyell.