WITH TENT AND CAR

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 22

WITH TENT AND CAR

END OF THE SEASON

QUEENSTOWN TO MICTON

(By "Trip.") (All Rights Reserved.)

With the Easter holidays now practically over, the clock back to standard time, and the winter almost upon us, most motor-camping enthusiasts will be packing away the gear until next summer. A few particularly hardy ones may continue camping throughout the winter months, but those in charge of camping sites say that the end of March marks the end of the camping season. In a few years' time, when the Clvristchurch idea of indoor accommodation for motor campers has •pread through more of our tourist resorts, it may bo possible to camp all the' year round in comfort; meantime, winter camping is fraught with serious disadvantages and discomforts.

This is the last article of the "Tent and Motor" series this season, and the route dealt with is merely the completion of a tour described previously as far as Queenstown. '

For those who are forced to take their animal vacation during the winter months there is another method of motor-camping which may appeal, especially if the desire is to cover a good deal of ground at a minimum of cost. Many of the present day coaches and sedans have a front scat, the back of which falls backwards, meeting the rear seat and forming an excellent bed. With such a car it is possible to have a camping holiday at all times. A tent can be taken and used in fine weather, while the car itself will provido accommodation in bad weather. The number of cars of this type sold recently shows that the idea ; <- framing in popularity. PEACEFUL QUEEIfSTOWN. "With good weather motor-ciunping at Queenstown can be quite pleasant for a few weeks yet. The camping accommodation is good, ' well appointed area overlooking iii, hike, and within a few minutes oJ. 1 the town, having been set aside. A small charge is made, and excellent service given. There are many interusting excursions possible around Queenstuwn, some of which can be made' in t!--j car, For the best is j]e«"is;;r< ' ■■!<<' the lake ste:u A short round trip, uii.cn l.ikos you *» beautiful Lake.Hayes, is out across he Shotover river, and back to Queensown through Arrowtown. For those 'vlio want a further thrill, the road out ;o Skippers can bo recommended. This winds up over the steep O'Connell range to a height of over 4000 ft, through narrow gorges, and along precipitous edges, giving some wonderful views over the bush-clad country. For those who wish to make out through Southland, the lake steamer service provides the necessary accommodation for the car to Kingston. I EASTWARDS FKOM QUEENSTOWN. The road eastward from Queenstown, which leads out towards Milton, passes Lake Hayes and then makes out through the Kawarau Gorge—known for the gold redemption operations of which much has been heard during recent years—to Cromwell, tho centre of a vast area of desert-liko country. From here onwards it leads down the Clutha Gorge to Clyde, a small town on the outskirts of the Cenaral Otago fruitgrowing area. A short run further on takes you to Alexandra, by which time you are practically in the heart of the fruitgrowing area, which extends onwards through Roxburgh. The much-debated irrigation schemes are situated within the area through which you pass, and tho irrigation canals which carry the water to individual holdings can be seen in various places. At Galloway, near Alexandra, there is a Government irrigation farm, on which experimental work is being carried out, with a view to deciding how this land can be most economically worked. Irrigational farming is the hardest kind of farming extant; there is in addition to the routine work of the farm constant supervision of water to be given; it is a work of art to secure an even distribution of irrigation water over the farm. Tho effect of irrigation is apparent to everyone. Here, amid brown arid hills, are areas of bright green in which lucerne and English grasses grow luxuriantly. With ample water anything can be successfully grown, but the difficulty has been for the settlors to get as muc-h water as they need.

Alexandra is a neat little town, with one or two good public buildings and some fine gardens, again showing what can be done with this land when water is available. From here on the motorist passes out through another area of desolate- and hilly country, towards Roxburgh, but here and there along the road the desolation is broken by a farm in. which irrigation is carried out, often, on a scheme worked out by the farmer himself.

Towards Roxburgh orchards once again come into view, and in the fruitpicking season a few penco will purchase great quantities of beautiful apples or stone- fruits. There is a camping ground here, a short distance from the post office, and night can be spent if desired.