In a concerted effort to avoid work, I have gone through copious photos of the recent trip (and any others lying around on the 3 PC's in the house in an attempt to desperately deny the pile of paperwork on my desk).
There are more on FB, however for your viewing pleasure...
Day 1 - Mackenzie & Hakataramea Passes. These gravel roads run from Burke Pass, just out of Lake Tekapo, across country to Kurow as a ridge that links the Rollesby and Dalgety Ranges. It's an easy drive in 4WD, only a few fords, and could probably be managed in a 2WD with good clearance (and shocks that you're not too worried about). The 4WD South Guide (Mark Wilson) states that "In March 1855...Scottish sheep drover James McKenzie was caught in possession of 1000 sheep known to belong to the Rhodes brothers of The Levels Station at Timaru. He was convicted of theft and jailed, but after only nine months in prison he was conditionally pardoned." I'd recommend his 4WD guide!
Marker for James McKenzie
Top of the Hakataramea
Top of the Hakataramea is a nice stop for a sandwich!
Day 2 - Nevis Valley Road
This is definitely a 4WD trip and, in my opinion, not recommended for soft roaders or light 4WD. You wouldn't want anything smaller than a Terrano, Bighorn or Surf. Some of the departure angles from the fords would not be forgiving on long wheelbase 4WD utes either.
Still, what a beautiful road. This runs from Bannockburn, over the Carrick Range (Duffers Saddle), through the Nevis Valley to Garston. Gravel (at best!) the whole way. The first 30km from Bannockburn are manageable, although even in summer we were driving down parts of the road that were closer to waterfalls on clay than roading! The views are amazing - you can see the mountains of the Divide from Duffers Saddle.
Lots of interesting ruins of the hardy souls that inhabited this region during the gold-rush, including a small cemetery. Some hardy souls remain at the Ben Nevis Station.
The Lower Nevis valley is more questionable - you get pretty tired of driving through fords! The signs say 31 however there were a few bonus ones on the day we did it. The Garston end is not as well maintained and the road shuts late Autumn - I'd imagine it is impassible to mere mortals after this time! Definitely recommended to start from the Bannockburn end as you may need to turn back once you hit Commissioners Creek in the Lower Nevis and there is great wine to drown your sorrows in Bannockburn! A good GPS with topographic map is helpful :)
Top of the Carrick Range (Duffers Saddle)
Bridge over the Nevis River - take advantage, most of the other crossings are fords!!
The old Nevis cemetery
Ruins of the old Nevis settlements
Vital information - Bannockburn is quicker!
Understatement?!
Day 3 - Manapouri Power Station
This was a fun, touristy day. Really enjoyed the trip over Lake Manapouri to the power station where you travel via a 2km tunnel underground to the power station before driving across parts of the Wilmot Pass towards Doubtful Sound. The plus for us was that for the price of one person to go on the full Doubtful Sound cruise, we could both do the power station and glow worm tour. Money well spent!
And yes, I have a thing for moss and trees!
Looking back up the tunnel
The generator floor
Mosses on the Wilmot Pass
Day 4 - Milford Road
You can't go to Te Anau without cruising the 120km to Milford Sound. No plans on this trip to actually cruise the Sound - we've done that before in summer and would really like to repeat the cruise in winter! Milford itself can be a little touristy (= 1 000 000 buses and tourists all falling over each other to buy tickets and photograph Mitre Peak) however the drive is fantastic and ever-changing. And yes, it is sealed (and has been for years!!)
A fantastic stop on the way - The Chasm. Beautiful example of water wearing away stone.
Cleddau River
Falls Creek - hanging out the side of the car over the bridge, as usual!
Keas near Pop's View - causing trouble
Tutoko River
Personally, if you're going to visit only one part of NZ, make it Fiordland.
The Rose
Gorgeous piccies here and on FB. Makes me definitely want to come, but I don't think the Bluebird would cope with some of the roads.... ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the keas - my favourite of NZ's native birds. The idea of an intelligent, naughty, and wildly inquisitive (ands destructive) parrot just does it for me!
R