A life on Gorge River: New Zealand's remotest family

by Robert Long

Robert Long and his family - wife Catherine, and children Christan (17) and Robyn (14) - live in complete isolation, in a hut two days' walk south of Haast in South Westland. Robert has lived there for nearly 30 years; Catherine for 20 and the kids all their lives. Their only contact with the outside world is a helicopter or plane once a month, and two trips a year to the 'outside world'. This is the story of how and why Robert - known locally as 'Beansprout' - came to live at Gorge River, and the family's experiences there over the years, living self-sufficiently and forging close bonds with the natural environment. It is an inspiring tale of one man's decision to 'drop out' of capitalist society and successfully establish a lifestyle most New Zealanders can't even imagine, harking back to the days of the earliest pioneers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Adventure

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mary Coulton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing… 1.5 stars. I thought it was going to be about a cool, remote life on the West Coast but all this dude could do was talk about his epic adventures while his wife raised their children in isolation… lame

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other reviewers, I found some aspects of this book a little long winded, particularly his descriptions of the surrounding areas as these became repetitive. However, I really enjoyed the story and feel nothing but admiration for this family who really have pitted their survival skills against nature to survive in this most remotest part of the world. I really enjoyed the early chapters of his early years and the later chapters once Catherine and the babies arrived.

[Susie · Rating 2 out of 5]

His story was a bit lengthy and his awestruck descriptions get a bit irritating/boring at times, but still a fascinating life. Looking forward to reading his wife's book.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Read.Its good to read about a kiwi living off the land! =D>

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between giving it a 3 (for how well it's written) and giving it a 5 (for how much I loved it, having traveled in that area myself), so I gave it a 4

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the back of the book: "In 1980, Robert Long, a successful student, world traveler and seeker of truth, decided to take an alternative path in live. He took up residence in a Forest Service Hut at Gorge River, in remote South Westland (New Zealand) – a minimum of two days walk from the nearest road – and from there forged a unique and amazing life amid New Zealand’s last true wilderness.”

Lots of details of Robert Long’s amazing hikes or tramps as he called them – which he often did barefoot through the incredible wilderness areas of New Zealand. More maps would have been helpful for those of us outside the area – and I would have loved some scenery photographs.

I thought the most interesting details were the ones of day to day living. I wish there had been more of these, especially after his marriage and the kids were small. I have seen mention of a book by his wife – perhaps her book has more of the details I crave.

[Andrew Tweedie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first third of this book which was about the author's growing up and early years living on the Gorge River. I then grew tired of the long seemingly repetitive accounts of the authors sole expeditions and fishing experiences. There were parts such as when the author's mother visited and the birth of their first child which were a welcome relief from authors self indulged accounts. What would have made this book more interesting for me would have the human stories from family. Where were stories from wife, son and daughter? Oh for a detailed map of the area so one could at least follow the authors 'tramps' with a little more interest. More photos would have helped the read also.

[Daniel Weatherley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It speaks to the desire that I suspect many of us have from time to time to “pack it all in and go live in the bush”. I know that the author’s wife and son have also written books, and I’d like to read them at some point.

I thought the book was strongest in the last seventy or so pages, when their author describes more of the realities and practicalities of living remotely, especially with two young children. Up til then, much of the narrative was a collection of anecdotes and adventures, with characters and locations that (for me at least) blurred together and became slightly repetitive.

Overall though, a pretty remarkable life from a pretty remarkable bloke, so worth a read for that reason if nothing else!

[zespri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other people's lives are always interesting, especially if they are a little different from the 'norm'. Robert Long settles in a remote part of the West Coast of New Zealand, and this is his story of his alternative lifestyle. Especially interesting is his family life, and details of how he and his wife raised their two children on Gorge River. A fascinating easy read.

[Kerri Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool lifestyle, but it seems he has been incredibly lucky in his life. I wish everyone who wanted to could truly "go bush" and live the dream, but finding a place like this (which seems like they didn't even have to buy,) is near impossible. They are devoted to their life and beliefs, and it's admirable what they've done. Inspiring ideas. Slow at times, but relaxing to read.

[Tom Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting account of how the author and family came to live at Gorge River and what life out there was/is like. It was different than I imagined it to be, but I enjoyed seeing the how his life was leading towards this and how he turned it into a place he could raise a family in.

[Sarah Prior · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tales of a land so close yet so far away. The adventures had me planning a trip to see all of these amazing places. Back and forward to the map to see exactly where they lay. A great storyteller.

[Christina Van Der Velde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as much as I'd hoped. Was less about the family and more about his journey getting there

[Kathryn Fathers]

Very descriptive. Enjoyed

[Tobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been in this area and marvelled at its remoteness and the striking Fiordland scenery, I had to admire the family’s tenacity in living here over such a long period of time.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. It is the true (ie autobiography) account of a man who kind of dropped out of society and went to live on the lower west coast of NZ. This is remote. To get there you mostly have to walk at least 20km, though there are small planes and helicopters from time to time. Fishing boats pass by but getting out to them means braving the serious surf in a small dinghy or just swimming.

The climate is very, very wet (rainfall is measured in meters down there rather than cm or inches the rest of us use). And the winters are cold. But this guy is tough. He likes to go hiking bare foot. When he does this he doesn't bother with a tent, just a sleeping bag cover. He's also smart, he dropped out of med school to do this. And somehow, after living like this for 10 years, he convinced a woman to come and raise a family with him.

He's a bit New Age but, if that helps him keep going it doesn't bother me. The lifestyle seems to have become less rugged when the wife and, especially, the kids arrived, but it is still very spartan. And yet it is also very rich. That part of the world is beautiful, if challenging (I've hiked near there, but not right there, and I wore boots). He keeps his needs very simple so he has more time than the rest of us. Well, maybe he does, there is a lot of overhead living there. As long as one enjoys all the stuff he has to do for himself (and he seems to) then its fine.

But the rest of us know why we don't live the same way.

Still, he tells it well. In places it is a bit long winded and a better map would have been useful, but still worth a read.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sounded so interesting. A couple raising their kids in remote New Zealand? It sounds like Swiss Family Robinson.

Unfortunately, it was far from interesting. The author is one of those chest-beating men who claims to have excelled at everything he has ever tried: school, carpentry, outdoor living, etc. But he's not too good at stringing words together. He hitchhikes barefoot across Australia, but all he can come up with to say about the trip is a list of towns. "First I went to Perth and then I walked to Katherine and then a truck driver picked me up and we went to Darwin..." (And why was he barefoot? I have no idea. Seems like that would be an interesting thing to expound on.) Every once in a while he would start on an anti-materialistic rant that at least sounded somewhat entertaining, but he would choke it off before it really started going.

He doesn't manage to settle on the Gorge River until almost halfway through the book. Now, I thought, now it will get interesting. It didn't. Lists of birds, trees, more birds, minute details about how to create a bed with ferns, but few details about how to cook or potty-train children in the wilderness. The last time I read such a boring book about such a cool adventure must have been 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I also discovered that one of the bad things about reading a book on a Kindle is that you can't flip forward looking for the interesting parts.

[Andrew Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a story, more journal like in it's writing style, but interesting to read one mans decision to isolate himself so much, but to eventually be more connected than many in urban environments.

Sometimes a bore when so much is given to mindless episodes yet so little to major events.

You couldn't say he hasn't achieved anything in his life, but you wonder what he was running away from in the first place.

[Giwi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after having dinner with his family one evening and so it was fascinating to see how he describes his own family. The man has a rich history and it is great that we (civilization-dwelling folk) can unwrap what life is like. Although not all that well written it reads easily and is a valuable insight into an interesting life.

[Jenny Housley]

I just read the first chapter of this book. It may or may not be good but for me if you want too write a book about slogging your way through the bush with a couple of kids you need to add some photos to break the monotony. I got bored sorry.

[Crawford]

No man is an island, even if he chooses to live in a remote part of New Zealand.

[Alice]

The writing isn't too great, but the story is interesting. I'd have loved to hear more about the family and how they live day to day.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing was average, but an extra star because GIVE ME THIS LIFE! Or, parts thereof anyway.

[Chris Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look in to living in the remote parts of NZ in the second half of the 20 century.

[Romain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly great writing but that is to be expected and the information is interesting if you are into that sort of things...

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing life in an amazing place. Not the best book though.

[Kiwileese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Want this Life!! What an amazing place to live.