SOUTHERN SCENERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 290, 8 December 1931, Page 16

SOUTHERN SCENERY.

MOTORING CONDITIONS, i ! 1 I TOUR OF SOUTH ISLAND. DESCRIPTION OF ROADS. At a recent conference of the service J officers of the combined automobile I associations, the touring manager of the; j A.A.A. submitted a report covering j motoring conditions in the South Island. He point-ed out that there was much in i the South Inland to repay a northern i \ motorist for crossing Cook .Strait, but! I advice a≤ to which part of the island to i visit depended very much on the time which was available. . In where! the vacation was only 14 days, a trip which was recommended, was* to travel j down the West Coast of the South i j Island, inc'iudrajr the Buller Gorge, the j ! very line coastal scenery between We*t- I ] port and Greyniouth. and ;he delightful j bush between Hokitika and the glaciers.] The Automobile Association recom- ■ mended that both the Fox and Franz i Josef Glaciers should be inspected, and that in spite of the reports, the road! between these two resorts in quite 1 I reasonable order for motor traffic, with j I the exception that after particularly; heavy rain, one- water cauree would be likely to rise and give trouble. The tour returns from the glaciers to Hokitika. the ear is then railed from Otira to Springfield to reach Christchurch, and the trip concluded wiih a run up the j I East Coast, via. Kaikoura, to Blenheim | and Pieton. The southern lakes of the island have ] a charm entirely their own. and to those who have already visited the West | Coast, an inspection of the lakes dis- j trict can be recommended. On thi< tour, j however, it is essential that time should j be allowed to undertake tne various].

boat trips as the real lake scenery cannot be seen from the road. Reading conditions throughout the South Lsland are very favourable, the Buller Gorge is in good order. The new coastal route between Westport and Greymouth is worth, inspection and preferably both from a scenic and a touring point of view to the inland road, via Reefton, all rivers being bridged and no trouble being experienced. J

Road Improvements. The scenery on the road from Hokitika to the glaciers is delightful, the snowcapped peaks surmounting the bush-clad mountains adding a picturesque touch. From the Franz Josef (Waiho). a North Island motorist need have no fear in travelling over the road to the Fox Glacier in normal weather. On account of past conditions, this route still retains a reputation, but improvements in late years have transformed the surface. If it is desired to visit Picton on the southern journey, the Tophouse Road between Blenheim and Westport (•an be undertaken in most weathers. This passes within a quarter of a mile of Lake Rotoiti and crosses the' upper waters of the Buller River. The East Coast route between Christchurch and Blenheim is noted for its coastal scenery, a good surface and easy grades adding pleasure to the trip. In i crossing from the east to the West

Coast, it is still desirable to rail the car from Springfield to Otira, although J at certain times it is possible to drive '< right through. Advice should be obtained immediately before taking the trip. The road from Arthur's Pass railway station over the Pass to Otira is well worth while to an experienced motoriet. the grades not being any worse than on the Razorback between Hamilton and Auckland. South of Christchurch, right through to Dunedin and Tnvercargil], good wide roads and smooth surfaces permit long distances to be travelled without fatigue.

The road to the Hermitage skirts Lakes Takapo and Pukaki, but if time is limited, Xorth Islanders can obtain alpine attractions at the Chateau at another time. If, however, the Hermitnge is visited, the shortest route south is via Omarama. but this route is unmetalled and liable to become grea<=y after heavy rain. Pembroke, on Lake Wanaka, should be visited, and between Pembroke and Queenstown there are alternative routes. The direct road over the Crown Range crosses the river a number of times and rises to an altitude of 4000 ft. This is also unmetalled, but its surface usually presents' reasonable travelling. The other road, via Cromwell, is entirely metalled and passes over undulating country. Good roads also provide access to Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. In the. North lela.nd one gains the impression that Southland is a rugged mountainous district, but this is quite incorrect.