Drive to Haast

Leaving Hokitika at 9 am, the first 70 km of our drive this morning was over relatively flat terrain with dairy farming appearing to be a popular past time. We made good time until we hit Mt Hercules Scenic Drive which was back to the usual winding our way up and down hills with great views. 

This pattern more or less continued where we would drop down into fertile valleys full of happy cows to then take on the next mountainous section. The was plenty of roadworks, which in NZ often have a 30 km/hr speed limit sand lots of single lane bridges. The scenery though is stunning.

 A few small towns were on the highway, but there was nothing that encouraged us to stop until we reached Franz Joseph Glacier, which coincided with our normal morning tea break time at around 11 am.

First priority was to get a cup of coffee, then to drive on to the carpark to walk to the glacier viewing area.

                    

The view along the access road to the Franz Joseph Glacier Viewing Point.

Arriving at the car park, we already had glimpses of the glacier.

                    

                    

Walking track to the Franz Joseph Glacier viewing area

Glacier View


The spot we were standing at was the location of the glacier face in 1908

We had previously been here in 1977 and at that time, we were able to walk on the glacier as part of a guided tour. We cant recall where the face was at that time but it was possible to climb up the face and walk on the glacier.

                    

Viewing area with water cascading down the valley wall in the background

Our next planned stop is at Fox Glacier where we have lunch in a local cafe/bar at Fox Glacier prices. The staff at the cafe are Danish (backpackers, I guess).

Lunch spot at Fox Glacier Town


Lunch service was a bit slow, not that they were busy, but the food was good and servings generous. After lunch we decided to drive out to the viewing point to see the Fox Glacier as we may well not be back here again. The last km was on a gravel road and we think we stopped at the right place, but signage was not great. Looking across the paddocks we could see the glacier but low cloud obscured the viwe of Mount Cook.

                        

Fox Glacier Viewing Area

                            

Fox Glacier closer up

Having seen our fill of glaciers we were back on the road winding through the mountains, crossing many rivers (often over one lane bridges) and occasionally getting caught behind a camper van. The we reached the coast and stopped at Bruce Bay, famous for its food truck and coastal view. Food options along this stretch are pretty light on, so the sight of a food truck is too tempting for many.

Cars were pulling in to get ice creams from the food truck

The road along the sea front here is strongly protected by this massive seawall. They must get some good swells here when the weather turns nasty.

Onward towards Haast we make one last scenic stop at Knight's Point. A lookout established at the point where the newly constructed West Coast highway teams finally met to complete the construction. One team started in the North, the other in the South and this point was where the new road joined. It was apparently named after the surveyor's dog.

                    

Looking South

Coincidently the site also had a great coastal view.

Looking North

Finally at around 3.30 pm we arrive in Haast, There is not much here, but at least we have a motel room for the night.



The Wilderness Motel

Careful consideration was given tonight about where we should have dinner. After careful analysis we decided on the Hard Antler Restaurant, there being no other option. It turned out to be a great choice. A chance to mix with the locals, get good wholesome food and the venue has a lot of character.


There is a bit of an Antler theme happening



The bar is busy




The furniture is robust

It was a great venue, very friendly. Rugby was on the TV and at the time we left the Brumbies and the Blues were 10 all. 










































































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