More Walking–More Ice

Today we remain at the NZMCA POP at Franz Josef and we will walk in to see the Franz Josef Glacier.   A very popular attraction, despite a large car park there was not much space left and a constant stream of people were entering the track or returning from viewing the glacier.   An easy 10 minute bush walk to start for the 1hr 30min return journey to the viewing place.   Nice view of the glacier from the end of the bush track.

 

The track is reasonably easy through the valley and is well maintained, the only disconcerting thing is that you can see how far you have to walk along to the glacier !

A good photo stop on the way is a couple of waterfalls which are just 5-10 meters beside the track, after a bit of rain it would be spectacular but was still nice to look at.

On we went until we finally reached the viewing point about 500 meters from the glacier.

Franz Josef Glacier

We were intrigued to see lumps of glacier ice in the river below the glacier and while photographing the one perched on a rock another large lump came to a stop just below us.

Ice Anyone ?

A great view of the glacier and we then set off back down the track to the car park.   It was amazing to see the numbers of people stretched all the way along the track into the distance.

Down the Valley

Plenty of Ice for a Gin & Tonic

A cool overcast day when we set of this morning to see the Fox Glacier.   Travelling back over the hill 27 kms to Fox and then a short 4km drive to the car park where it was on to Shanks Pony for the final 1km walk to the face of the Glacier.   Although cool it wasn’t too bad and although Pauline wasn’t sure if she could make it she set off with us on the walk.   Magnificent cliffs all around us and the sun was shining by then.

      The Glacier in the Distance                  Surrounding Cliffs

The track is well maintained  (and extremely busy) and we took it easy on the 30min walk  to the face.   Last time we came here, 30 years or so ago the walk in was about 40 mins so the glacier has advanced in that time. 

The viewing area for non guided people is about 200metres from the face and you get a real good view.   With a telephoto lens it comes even closer.

We spent half an hour admiring the view before making our way back to the cars.

Around the other side of the valley is another viewing area, another short drive in for a different perspective.

The view from the other side of the valley

It was decided to go down to Lake Matheson for a bite to eat and then a 30 min walk to the Jetty point viewing platform along a lovely bush track complete with suspension bridge.

The reflections on the water were lovely but unfortunately there was no view of Mt Cook due to the low cloud.

Lake Matheson

Glacier Country

Got up this morning at Jacobs Creek where we stayed in a motorhome park/motel for the night.   Managed to wipe my radio aerial off the side of the van for the second time on my way in, it’s a good job their not too expensive.   Might have to rethink the installation location of the next one.    We were greeted by the local wildlife when we got up this morning   Didn’t like carrots, though the 2 horses thought it was pretty good!.   Obviously hand reared and the deer was quite happy to see if you had any food in your hand.

 

We have decided to move on to Franz Josef Village today where the NZMCA have another one of their properties.

          Franz Josef Village               Parked up At NZMCA Property
From there we will use the cars to go back to Fox Glacier if we want to or just walk in to Franz Josef.   The road today although quite scenic was one of the worst we have been on since our trip started, very windy, roller coaster like and very bumpy in parts.    Nice typical West Coast Bush all the way and again magnificent views including Mt Cook again.
Another one out of the box weather wise and looks likely to stay that way right through easter.

Jackson Bay to Fox Glacier

A longish day in store today as we have been given permission by the motorcamp owners to leave the vans there while we drive down to Jackson Bay and back (about 100km return.   Jackson Bay is a little fishing village the most Southernmost village on the West Coast Proper.   The road took us through typical West Coast Virgin bush with lots of native trees particularly Rimus across lots of one way bridges until we popped out at the end.   Not a lot there except a branch of a Lobster Co (not open) and a Talleys processing building.   The only food outlet which serves fresh fish/whitebait etc didn’t open until 12 noon.   We didn’t feel like hanging about.

Jacksons Bay

We popped in to Neils Beach for a look and then drove back to Haast Camp to pick up the vans and set off towards Fox Glacier about 80km away.   Typical West Coast scenery along this road, a little winding, narrow and up and down.

A couple of photo stops on the way, first was Ships Creek, quite nice

scenery there as we ate lunch and the sandflies ate us !

Ships Creek

Another nice view from a lookout on the way (I can’t remember it’s name).

Then a quick stop at the Salmon Farm at Paringa, we didn’t buy anything as it was a little expensive but got a couple of nice photos of the wildlife.

Our stop for the night is at a country Motor Camp about 20km south of Fox Glacier.

Off to the West Coast

At this stage we are still in Lake Hawea awaiting the arrival of Robin and Dereks Batteries from Christchurch.   Their Auto Electrician at Wanaka Auto Electrical has been very helpful but was let down by Mainfreight.   The batteries arrived in Cromwell overnight but were offloaded there, so after a fruitless afternoon waiting around, we returned to Lake Hawea.   We understood that the batteries would be sent from Cromwell “first thing” today but once again Mainfreight have let the side down and they won’t be arriving until after 11:30am.   Once they arrive and are fitted we are off through the Haast Pass to the Roaring Billy Waterfall area where there is a freedom camping area.

Pauline and I have set off ahead of the others and agreed to meet up at Roaring Billy Waterfall.   The road winds along the banks of Lake Hawea, still looking perfect in the sunshine until it pops over the hill and on to the banks of Lake Wanaka.   Another stunning view.

Lake Wanaka

We moved into the Haast Pass , a scenery filled winding road which climbs up quite high and then drops down suddenly.   We stopped at the Thunder Creek Waterfall first, a short walk of the road.  This waterfall is 28metre high  tumbling into the Haast River.   Thunder Creek, a small tributary of the Haast River drains a short narrow valley.   Since the retreat of glacier ice in this area, the Haast River has cut a canyon the height of the waterfall which some local people know as “Ninety foot Falls”

Thunder Creek Waterfall

Rounding a corner a little further on and we were presented with a beautiful view of Mount Cook up the valley so once again stopped for a photo !

Aoraki – Mt Cook from Haast Pass

A quick stop at Pleasant Flat a DOC camp on the way.   Sandflies, wasps and bees were aplenty and some more nice views.

Then on to Roaring Billy Waterfall. The Waterfall at the end of a 15 min bush walk.  We were supposed to spend the night at a layby just prior to the waterfall stopping area but it wasn’t a very nice spot. Pauline and I decided to go on to Haast.  Village to the Motor Camp, and when the others arrived at 4pm they also decided to do the same.

  

                     Roaring Billy                             and The Haast River

Liking Lake Hawea

Still in Wanaka this morning while the others head down to the AutoElectrician for a check up.   We wandered around in the shopping area before heading to a Queenstown Lakes District Council camp at Albert Town just out of Wanaka.   We can’t go too far as the others have to go back to pick up new batteries which have been ordered in for them.   When we all met up again we decided to carry on to another Low Cost Park at Lake Hawea   This turned out to be a good decision, the parking area is on a hill overlooking the lake and has much more facilities for a much lesser cost!   And look at the view !!

It doesn’t come much better than that especially on a beautiful sunny day like today.   I’ll let the photos tell the story, I can’t do it justice in words.

Wandering to Wanaka

Beautiful day today, with daylight saving starting and an extra hour, the sun was up before we were so was quite warm.   We are moving on to Wanaka today so Robin is positioned near an Auto Electrician 1st thing on Monday.   We were sharing a paddock with the owners horse so he was finally convinced to come near with a couple of pieces of juicy carrot on offer after totally ignoring us before.

Arriving in Wanaka we booked in to the Lakeview Holiday Park for the next night.   Wanaka is a lovely spot, the scenery is top notch.   We went down the road to the National Transport and toy museum at Wanaka Airport.   What an amazing collection of toys, vintage and classic cars, aeroplanes, motorbikes,trucks etc.

This collection is spread over four hangars and buildings and could take some serious time to take in.   Another stop worth looking at if in the area.

From there we headed back to Wanaka and “Puzzling World”

  The last time we visited this was about 17 years ago (we think).   Pauline didn’t want to go inside this time due to balance problems so elected to buy an ice cream and have a go at the supplied puzzles in the cafe area.   I went on in and the displays have been expanded to include the room of moving faces.   Each wall has multiple images of famous people which move to look at you as you walk around.

Winston Churchill

Then into what they call the “Ames Room”, looking in from outside gives the best view of people inside who appear large in one corner but tiny in another.   A real strange feeling.

The next area is the strangest of all, a room which defys all the laws of reality in the way it is built and even though I was expecting it, the loss of balance until you orientate yourself is weird.

Back then along the waterfront to our camp, again magnificent views of the Lake.

Lake Wanaka