From the ice-blue waters of Lake Wanaka to the grandeur of the Haast Pass, SH6 cuts
a winding route through dense forest in Mt Aspiring National Park, before continuing
on up the spectacular West Coast of the South Island. This epic journey provides
the traveller with fresh inspiration at every turn. Here, where towering rainforests,
rugged mountains, icy glaciers, and rivers meet a moody, ever-changing shore, the
friendly West Coaster, a hardy, creative type of New Zealander, makes his home.
We take four days to explore the route from Queenstown to Greymouth. We kick start
our journey with a horse trek in the Cardrona Valley, then Bob takes an impromptu
Spitfire flight and I tease my brain at Puzzling World in Wanaka. Together we join
a thrilling jet boat ride on the Waiatoto River, admire Mt Cook’s sunset reflection
in Lake Matheson, do a challenging hike on Franz Josef glacier, spy on nesting herons,
dine on fresh whitebait and a unique possum stew, and in the manner of true West
Coasters, wash it all down with a jug of Monteiths!
day three: franz josef to hokitika
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
In the morning we take SH6 north and half an hour later arrive in Franz Josef. It’s
somewhat larger and definitely busier than its nearby cousin and as rain threatens,
we dash into Franz Josef Glacier Guides to check that the glacier hike is still
on. It is, and so we emerge wearing standard glacier hiking gear: a Gore-Tex jacket,
socks, boots and gloves. A short bus ride leads us to the start of the track. Back
in 1930 this was the base of the glacier; today it’s a three kilometre hike!
En route our informative and friendly guide, Rob Knox, tells us that Franz Josef
is the world’s steepest and fastest-flowing commercially guided glacier. “The glacier’s
head receives enormous amounts of snow which ‘drive’ the glacier at speeds of up
to ten metres per day,” he says. The weight of the snow compresses into glacier
ice, which melts and forms tunnels which carry the ice-melt away.
At the base of the glacier – it looks really slippery – we strap ‘Ice Talonz’ over
our boots for grip. Bob dances on the spot then topples as his feet touch and the
Talonz catch...
Please click the link to download the full Queenstown to Greymouth scenic drive, courtesy of apex
car rentals new zealand... the kiwi way
To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
purchase nzdh online
If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online
please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
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