Forget Islamic extremists or anything to do with the Middle East, the world's first strapped-on suicide bombing happened in Murchison.

Yes, I was shocked too. Stopped to learn about the Murchison earthquake and learned this story.

Joseph Sewell was a 57-year-old farmer from Longford when he strapped himself with sticks of gelignite and blew himself up outside the Murchison Courthouse on Friday 14 July 1905. It was an event that got reported worldwide as "The Murchison Tragedy".

It was all about a dispute over ownership of a Heifer. To find out more stop in Murchison and find out. 

Heading down to the West Coast is a real nice drive and Murchison is about midway between Nelson and Westport making if a perfect place for a lunch stop. 

When gold was discovered  in the area a town was surveyed and called Hampden in 1865 which in 1882 was renamed Murchison. Many buildings from that era still exist today.

The Murchison four rivers plain offers some of the best all-grades white water kayaking and rafting in New Zealand, and has been named as one of the top 10 white water destinations in the world. There is Class 2 to 4 Whitewater on offer. 

And for the mountain biking enthusiasts there is an excellent 85km long trail called the "Old Ghost Road", which goes all the way from Lyell to the West Coast, reviving a long-forgotten gold miner’s road. Originally a gold rush town, Murchison was almost completely destroyed by a huge earthquake in 1929 – you can find out all about it at the district museum.

For a little town with a population of only  510,  it has some mighty offerings for the keen traveller. For this one anyway.