GETTING READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 282, 29 November 1927, Page 8

GETTING READY.

; FOR HOLIDAY TOURS.

SUSY SEASON PREDICTED.

[ATTRACTIONS IN NEW ZEALAND,

That the holiday spirit is already in ,the air is not surprising when it is remembered that we are within two weeks of the date upon which" the first holiday excursionists will be setting out on journeys to various parts of the Dominion.

At any hour of the day now large numbers of prospective travellers may be seen at the tourist offices, at the shipping counters and in places where information is available.

When questioned this morning about the prospects for the coming season, the district representative of the Government Tourist Department (Mr. J. W. Clarke) said that they were extremely good. "The Department," he said, "is having a continual flow of letters from overseas requesting particulars of holiday resorts in New Zealand. In many of the letters special inquiries are made concerning sport in the Dominion. As a result of the information which has been sent out, numbers of replies have come to hand giving definite dates of intending arrival in New Zealand." Christmas Bookings Heavier. In a general way the bookings for Christmas are much heavier than they were last year. Rotorua is assured of a bright and active season, Wairakei seems likely to have a larger number of visitors than usual, Mount Egmont and the Wanganui River have been the subject of extensive inquiry, and the Waitomo Caves are as popular as ever. The East Coast of the North Island is another part which is becoming more known to tourists, and especially does this applyto the beauties of the motor route between Napier and Gisborne, as well as to the natural charms of Lake Waikaremoa,na. As for the claims of the South Island, the crito.rpiising progress leagues in that part of the Dominion will be gratified to realise the extent to which their attractions are to be patronised during the present summer. So far the principal inquiries at this end of New Zealand relate to Mount Cook, the Milford Track, and the Franz Josef Glacier. Queenstown is said to have been already well booked up, and a number of holidaymakers intend visiting Nelson and the Picton Sounds. Facilities for Tourists. Some interesting information was obtained from Mr. Clarke with reference to work which has been completed recently by the Government with the object of increasing the facilities for the tourist traffic. It may not in future be necessary for women as well as men to be so heavily shod for the tramp to the caves at Waitomo. Already the Public Works Department has completed the) metalling of the tracks and the making of the duck-walks, and the improvements are much appreciated by visitors. Good progress has also been made by the contractor with the building additions to the hostel at Waitomo, and now that the weather has improved it is expected that these will be completed for the season on schedule time. Waikaremoana.

At Lake Waikaremoana, one of the choicest scenic spots in New Zealand, the Government hostel has been renovated and made thoroughly up-to-date. It is electrically lit and heated. This place is almost equidistant from Rotorua, Napier, and Gisborne. Travelling from either of the East Coast towns, a detour is made from the coastal road at Wairoa, and from there the journey is comparatively short. Until recently the last six miles of the road at the lake end was in a shocking state, but, having been metalled and rolled, it is now in firstclass order. " Motorists should have no difficulty in reaching the lake from [Wairoa in two hours.

On the far side of Lake Waikaremoana .is a walk of rare natural beauty. It is from Hopuruahine to Ruatahuna, a distance of about 25 miles, and the quality of the native bush along the way is said to be as high as may be found in New Zealand. At present the formation of the track is being carried out, and when completed it is bound to attract large numbers of visitors.

In the South Island. ,

The most notable improvement of tourist facilities in the South Island is at Te Anau, the first accommodation point for visitors: to the Milford Sounds. There the Government has erected a large- hotel with modern equipment, which has already been the subject of complimentary references by visitors. At the far end of the Milford Track the Government is planning to erect a new accommodation house which will enable visitors to enjoy holidays at the Sounds with a much greater degree of comfort than that which is provided by the huts at present in use. This time next month the tourist traffic will be in full swing, and given bright weather conditions it will not be ■ surprising if something of a record is I this year established.