Friday, 3 January 2025

New Zealand Part 3 - Haast Valley

Our second day in Wanaka was spent in the Haast Valley.

This is the most southerly of the Alpine passes, and the normal route between the Glaciers and Queenstown.  When I was planning the trip I looked for stops between places, there were more stops between Wanaka and Haast than any other leg.  In some ways it was what we wanted the trip to be, to have time to see the bits inbetween the major sites.

The Department of Conservation produce a guide which was a great starting point. https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/walks-along-haast-highway-brochure.pdf

Even though our plans changed we did not want to miss out on the pass.  It proved to be a great choice - We spent all day there with a fair few stops: Haast Pass Look Out walk, Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Falls, Fantail Falls. Photostop at Blue Pools (the walk unfortunately closed), several viewpoints on the Haast River, Lake Wanka and Lake Hawae.  For all the stops we made, there were others we had to miss out.  

There was so much in the valley not least how the vegetation changed from the dryer east side, through the valley to the temperate rainforest in the west.


Not the worst place to be stopped at a traffic light for road works

Lake Wanaka



Blue Pools Car Park - unfortunately the bridges were being repaired so we couldn`t go to the pools


Haast Valley Look Out - A 45 minute or so walk through ancient woodland to get views over the valley.


Roaring Billy


This was as far west as we went as the weather was closing in.


On the way back there was a stop at a Haast River view point.



Then onto the Thunder Falls which were literally at the side of the road.



The final falls of the day were the Fantail Falls.




To finish it was then back to Lake Hawae




There may not have been any well known attractions in the Haast Pass, there was so much to see and many 15 - 45 minute walks, which all all ended with a great view.

























Thursday, 2 January 2025

New Zealand Part 2 - Wanaka, the Crown Ridge Road

 Our original plan was to only spend one day in Wanaka, but due to the issues with the SH6 being closed we decided to forego the west coast and the glaciers, spend two days  (24/11 and 25/11) in Wanaka and go up the east of the alps.

The road from Queenstown to Wanaka is considered one of the best and has a lot to see in a relatively short distance.

The first landmark is crossing the Shotover River

First Stop Hays Lake was a lot more scenic and reflective.



Then it was onto the Crown Ridge Road.  
After an impressive climb, the view unfolded behind us from the first stopping point on the road.


We stopped at a second viewpoint near the summit.


Walking a few hundred yards up the track from the car park opened up more views down the valley.


Then it was time for a coffee.



The cliffs beyond the car park are pretty striking.



As we only had limited time because of booking on a jet boat.  We had been on the Crown Ridge Road on our previous trip to New Zealand so didn’t stop at every car park on the way.

Wanaka itself is basically a really nice place to chill, and a great base.  It is very different to Queenstown, as it feels like there is a much better balance between tourist and locals.  The main feature is the lake and its most famous feature is a tree in the lake.  We chose to stay here so there was only a relatively short day for the first day travelling, to get used to the car.



We didn’t spend too much time in Wanaka itself, but the walk back to the motel was pretty special

We had booked to go on a jet boat with wilderness walk with https://www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz/ It was a truly amazing trip going around 25km up the Matukituki River towards Mount Aspiring, then a walk in ancient forest.  It was a definite 5/5 experience and highly recommended

On our previous trip we had taken a jetboat up the Dart River from Glenorchy. This had given a taste for how the jet boats could be used to get to remote areas, not accessible by car, with some fun for good measure!

Taking photos on the boat was not the easiest, the weather was overcast and windy, the wind was whipping up dust, but the views were spectacular.  




















Wednesday, 1 January 2025

New Zealand Part 1

21/11 Day 1 - Overnight Queenstown.  Stayed at the Autoline Motel, which had great views over the Remarkables, Walters Peak, and the golf course.  




22/11 Day 2 - Overnight Queenstown. Skyline Gondola and walk to the saddle 

Started with an early morning walk into town round the Queenstown Gardens







Then it was up the Gondola for great views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu 





Then the walk up the saddle





The most scenic toilet in New Zealand? 



The view from the saddle opened up a whole new world!


23/11 Day 3 - Overnight Queenstown Another walk around Queenstown Gardens with a great view over the lake, Picked up the car, went to Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, shopping for travel essentials.









Not Festering