Today was intentionally a short day behind the wheel. Total kms was 157. It is my birthday today so we wanted to be stopped and set up by 15:00 at the latest. The morning dawned bright and clear and a touch warmer than yesterday. The holiday camp at Ross beach is made up of 20 and 40 feet containers which is a novel idea. They reminded my very much of the pop up shopping mall that appeared in Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake that damaged so many buildings.
Containers made into shower blocks, toilets, kitchens, lounges and accommodation at the Ross beach holiday park.
It was clear that as we headed further south on Highway 6 the weather was on the change as dark clouds gathered over the mountains ahead of us. This section of the West Coast of the South Island is festooned with lakes and clear blue mountain rivers rushing down to the Tasman Sea. Turquoise clear waters pour from the mountains to our left as we head south.
Lake Ianthe sits right on the highway edge and there is a lovely little area to pull over, admire the view and take a break.
A short journey further south brings us to the town of HariHari. At first glance it appears like many other small townships along the route. However at the southern edge of the town just before the road leaves the town boundary there is a surprise waiting. For there appears to be a replica airplane in a purpose built hanger. You cant get into the hangar but large windows give you a good view inside. On closer inspection the visitor is drawn to the story of Guy Menzies who in January of 1930 completed the first aviation crossing of the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand. He landed in a field, more a swamp to the west of the town of HariHari. The landing sight is marked by a plaques and storyboards and takes around 20 minutes to get to, deviating off the main highway to reach it. Well worth the detour.
A rather unceremonious ending to an astonishing feat of airmanship.
The plaque commemorating the event.
The hangar housing the replica aircraft in the town of HariHari, New Zealand.
The road to Franz Josef town and particularly the stretch between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier town is stunning. Just stunning. They climb through mountain passes requiring speeds of no more that 25 Kms at times to negotiate the numerous hairpins. Steep gulleys on one side of the road, sheer cliffs covered in dense bush on the other. Another motorcyclists must do. However for us, the rain started as we climbed up into the first pass. Not much but enough to keep my speeds down.
We now find ourself in a holiday camp in Fox glacier township. We are one of only 4 bookings tonight. It is rather sad to see this place, normally full of skiers, trampers and hikers so empty. The current covid crisis is hitting these places hard. We are out to dinner tonight away from the van for a hot birthday dinner. Tomorrow we head further south on highway 6 to Haast where the road turns inland towards Lake Hawea and on to Wanaka. Road works are meant to be an issue so we will see how we fare. We have no agenda.
Woodend Wanderer 