Distance travelled: 206 Kms. I think we both felt that after Milford Sound was it worth continuing? Was there anything that could compare to the sheer majesty of those mountains, wildlife and scenery. We set off from the lodge with no clear plan as to where the day would end. We would head down the South Scenic route and see what we could find. On the way from Milford Sound to Te Anau we stopped and picked up a hitch hiker whose car had broken down in the middle of nowhere. As soon as we got a phone signal we pulled over and let him phone the AA and dropped him back at his car. Proceeding on we stopped in Te Anau to empty the vans waste tanks, top up with potable water and refuel. That was so that wherever we did end up we were prepared. The road from Te Anau to Manapouri and south following the Waiau river is pretty. The landscape undulates through sheep and dairy farms and through a number of escarpments. Small villages that all look the same go by. We stopped at various sign posted view points and by around 4pm we decided that we would find somewhere to stop. We came across a signpost for the Clifden suspension bridge campsite. Clifden, not to be confused with Clifton in the UK. That sounded like a viewing was required. It was a gravel lay by in the middle of nowhere but oh my! The bridge was a real find. Beside the river was a grassy campsite for a few tents. The river gurgled just about 40 feet away from us. The lay by had clean and new toilets too. There were already two other camper vans there. This was our spot for the night. It was a quiet little gem of a place. The bridge was a historic masterpiece of engineering. This place was a real find indeed. The what3words location was drilling.stately.deputies Here are todays photos.
Woodend Wanderer 