Gemstone Beach in September, Part 12 is the last post in the series Stones, Waves & Whispers: A Year on Gemstone Beach. I can’t believe that one year has past since I hatched the idea to do this series! If you’ve just found this post and would like to read through the series, you can find the start here.
Fossick #1 – Sunday, 14 September, 2025
It’s a later start than usual to fossicking on Gemstone Beach this month! Southland’s weather has been extreme for the past week and a bit making it difficult to get out on the beach. Having to go to work more than usual didn’t help the matter either though!
Low tide was scheduled for 11:30am so I arrived at the carpark around 9:45am. There were three vehicles in the carpark already including a van camper. About 4 people were on the beach either just out in front of the carpark or down by the Taunoa Stream. With Ohla on her lead, the two of us made our way down the beach heading towards the stream. There were quite a few big patches stones down by the Taunoa, with plenty of sand in front of the carpark. Much of the cliff had collapsed since my last visit making the Taunoa Stream a lot murkier than usual.
Beach Conditions
It wasn’t raining but it the wind was blowing and the temperature hovered at 8 degrees! Thank goodness for warm and dry wet weather pants and jackets plus a warm beanie and scarf! The Tanoa Stream was swifter than normal due to plenty of water thanks to the many days of rain. As the tide was going out Ohla and I crossed down closer to the sea keeping a watchful eye out for rouge waves.
Waimeamea River
Ohla and I reached the Waimeamea River at 11:37am so it was already low tide. The river was open and flowing out to sea but it was moving very swiftly. No attempt to cross it was made by me today however Ohla dog was another story! On the way back to the carpark we bumped into fellow rock club member Dave and had a quick chat about hydrogrossular garnets and of course comparing our hydro finds from today.
There were about 10 or so people on the beach as we made our way back to the car. It was 12:56pm so one and half hours were spent fossicking today. The temperature was only 11℃ but at least it didn’t rain!
Favourite Finds of the Day – Fossick #1
Fossick #2 – Saturday 27 September, 2025
Second (and last) fossick for September today. Low tide scheduled for 9:34am with Ohla and I arriving at the carpark at 9:20am. It was an overcast and moody looking day, only 6℃. In the entrance into Gemstone Beach was a car counter so I’m guessing the council is seeing how many “visitors” are stopping here at the moment. There was only two campers and a car in the carpark when I arrived.
Beach Conditions
The Taunoa Stream was quite narrow today but right up by the cliffs. There’s quite a bit of erosion happening to the side of that cliff now.
The Waimeamea River
Ohla and I got down to the Waimeamea River at 10:47am. As the tide had turned and was on its way in, no attempt to cross it was made. We gave a wave to the Goldman and his dog Tig as they were making their way back from the other side.
Back at the carpark at 12:02pm after nearly 2½ hours on the beach. There were a few people on the beach in front of the carpark but not many.
Favourite Finds of the Day – Fossick #2
chlorite(??)
If I’m naming the stones in the captions, please note that I am by no means an expert and they are my “best guess” with some being more confident guesses than others. That being said, I am really keen for any thoughts, corrections, suggestions on my favourite finds so please leave a comment – it’s greatly appreciated!
Next in the Series:
That’s all folks! The series has come to an end with 12 posts from October 2024 to September 2025 complete. I will continue to post fossicking days on the beach though – just not as often!
Just stumbled across this post and want to read the series from the beginning? Click here.