No matter how beautiful a region is, at some stage we have to move on and join other travellers driving out of Wanaka to Fox Glacier. On this route, there’s several scenic highlights on the way. Here’s just a few of them with our first stop at the Lake Wanaka Lookout in between Lake Hawea, called “The Neck”.
We’re still in the busy season and find ourselves jostling with other travellers for that perfect spot for a photo, but in this country it doesn’t take long to find some breathing space and Michael found his.
In the peak summer season, choose how you stop…wisely. Do not stop to take photos on a bend and I beg you, please DO NOT stop in the middle of a busy scenic road to study a map! Yes, this happened today.
New Zealand roads are generally well maintained and occasionally on our travels, we’ve come across the roadwork gangs. It usually means only a 5 minute wait which today, went quickly because of this incredibly entertaining character. We enjoyed his deep bows and exaggerated hand-sweeps, as he waved us through.
After a brief toilet stop at Makaroa, about one hour’s drive from Wanaka, we headed off to the well-known “Blue Pools” river spot right on SH6 in the Aspiring National Park…
This forest walk is so refreshing and easy – Rifleman and Fantail birds flitting around on either side of us.
The walkway is well maintained and the swing bridge is manageable for everyone…
…and the views! Pure blue water stretching out towards the Makaroa River.
So many angles with totally different views.
Back in the car, we headed through to the Haast Bridge, an impressive crisscross of steel girders – very reassuring.
We entered the lush-green West Coast region and travelled south of the Haast Village to the starting point of Waiatoto River Safaris. This 2 & a half hour tour has been highly recommended to us by our network. Michael was so pleased we checked out this one. Meeting co-owner and tour operator, Ruth Allanson was such a highlight!
Making good use out the fantastic West Coast weather, we stopped at Shipwreck Creek for an easy walk along a boardwalk to the beach. We missed out Monroe Beach (rare penguins to be seen at the right time of the year) but managed to stop at the Knights Point Lookout and once again, it was sensory overload.
From here we passed Lake Moeraki and Lake Paringa. It was such a ‘breeze’ to drive this part of the South Island with little traffic and spectacular scenery. Finally we passed the tiny settlements of Bruce Bay and Jacobs Creek before entering the Fox Glacier Village. After a quick shower we headed out for dinner at Lake Matheson then completed a tranquil evening walk around the lake – a great way to end a perfect day.
Happy travelling.
