Kotinga and Anatoki |
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The flat expansive plains around Kotinga where the Anatoki River flows down to meet the Takaka River show a contrasting landscape of open dairy farm paddocks and carefully trimmed shelter belts of nashi and kiwifruit orchards.
In times gone by gold miners trekked this way; the Anatoki Track still leads from the end of Long Plain Road to the challenging mountains and passes in Kahurangi National Park with peaks like the Drunken Sailors and the Dragon's Teeth hinting at the wry humour of some of our high-country explorers.
Most visitors nowadays will be heading through Kotinga to Bencarri Farm, home of the famous Anatoki Eels. Bencarri is a heritage farm breeding a wide range of endangered or rare domestic farm animals such as llamas, alpacas, sheep and yaks. Yarn and garments from these animals are available at the farm shop. Bencarri also offers the visitor pleasant riverside walks, picnic and cafe facilities.
Just past Bencarri is the Anatoki Salmon Farm. Patrons can experience the thrill of catching their own fish for cooking at their pleasure later. Smoked and fresh salmon are also available for sale.
Anatoki Forks Hut - situated in a clearing, this is a nice sunny place to dry out gear after a storm. This hut has a hot shower - yes a fully operational stove with wet back, and it works well, plenty of hot water for all.