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36 COROMANDEL LIFE SPRING/HOLIDAY 2016
Photo: Willie Lochore, www.coromandeladventures.co.nz
CAB: the vision of Colville and Beyond
Community cohesiveness becomes more important when you
live in remote spots like Colville.
Festivals, events, and parks bring in the visitors, but the town
is renown for its cooperative ethic. The Colville General Store,
operating as a co-op since 1978, is still going strong, with some
of the original members still involved.
Last year, a community group was formed through the Colville
Social Service Collective to discuss maxmising the overall value
of tourism to the region, with the aim of benefitting the entire
local community.
Called Colville and Beyond (CAB), this committee met and
drafted vision guidelines, and then committed to specific
projects, one of which is the map that is outside the local PDC.
DLE cards can be obtained from the general store along with
other local tourist information.
Other specific projects the group are working on are include
better signage, a website, a regional goods and services
directory, historic sites identified with signage, development of
more walking and cycling paths, and ‘build-your-own’ website
classes for area business owners.
Learn more at
COLVILLE CAFE RE-OPENS!
The entire town is celebrating the return of the
cafe where a warm welcome awaits you – full
of rustic charm and a feeling of days gone by.
It’s the perfect place to relax beside the open
fire or grab a coffee and lounge the day away
‘alfresco’ style in the outdoor dining area, which
is quickly becoming a favourite gathering place
for the community.
Homestyle cooking is their speciality with
a menu to suit most tastes. The pizza oven
will be fired up on most summer evenings
with BYO permitted. Owner and chef Johnie
periodically hosts evening functions when he
plays his guitar and sings, and he can often be
heard singing while he cooks up a storm in the
kitchen. And check out their local artists gallery!
The village is pleased to be seeing an increase
in visitors. Many locals already make regular
trips to Colville to fill their cupboards from
the great selection of organic produce and
products from the Colville Store, and now
they’re enticed to ‘stay awhile’, browse the
shops, have a cuppa, and maybe a bite to eat.
MANY REASONS TO ‘STAY AWHILE’
There are many reasons people are drawn to
this unique area including tramping, fishing,
diving, mountain biking, bird watching,
farm experiences or kayaking, Try your luck
fossicking for semi-precious gemstones. Or
just soak up the stunning scenery as you drive
north along the coast. Stop for a swim, a spot
of fishing, or for a picnic and photoshoot of sea
birds in their natural habitat.
On the road headed north into Colville you
might stop at Branch Creek Woodworking
to see one-of-a-kind rough hewn macrocarpa
furniture pieces.
Just before reaching town you might stop at the
the Mahamudra Centre for Universal Unity.
Some travellers are surprised to see a Tibetan
stupa on the side of the road announcing this
Buddhist retreat centre tucked away in the
Colville Valley. Visitors are welcome and can be
assured of a friendly welcome and a cup of tea.
Sit in the meditation hall, walk the grounds or
browse in the library or shop.
Roy Fraser and Sally Barraud started the
teaching and retreat centre in the late 70s.
While travelling to India and Nepal they met,
and later invited to NZ, two Tibetan Lamas –
Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Now thriving, the centre has a growing
international reputation as part of a worldwide
organisation of over 150 centres and welfare
projects, hosting visiting teachers – both
Tibetan and western – throughout the year
STAY A WHI LE . THI S L ITTLE TOWN
HAS A LOT TO OFFER . . .