“SIX WONDERFUL DAYS"

Evening Star, Issue 18832, 5 January 1925, Page 2

“SIX WONDERFUL DAYS"

NORTHERNERS THROUGH “THE CENTRAL.” [Contributed.] That many people, even local residents, are unaware of the real accessibility ot “ ouo of the world's playgrounds” is llio opinion again emphasised by a party of tourists, mostly local people, who have just arrived hack in Dunedin after visiting Central Otago on holiday. Their holiday hook the form of a motor journey from Dunedin as lar as Queenstown and Pembroke and hack. All are enthusiastic in their appreciation of the route, selected, (ho enjoyment of which commenced with the very departure from the city. Tim journey, made by louring car. covered the wide area, and the startling and wonderful scenery embraced: by Roxburgh, the. Molyneux, Clutha, and Kauarun Rivers, Cromwell, Queenstown, Pembroke, and tlio Cardrona, Valley. The return route was via Cromwell, the “ I’igroot,” and Palmerston South. To those who tire city dwellers, and, indeed, (o all, the journey would have been worth it for the sake of the agricultural and pastoral country passed through on such excellent mads, commencing with the delightful .stretches approaching the Taie.h just outside Dunedin ; but, of course, in addition, the route, indicated: explores tho amazingly fertile orchard area centring in Roxburgh (where cuvhardisls, whoso poaches arc now at their best., treated tho party very generously), and tho scones of historic gold rushes, not to speak of the breath-taking sweep of snowcapped mountains, tho dizzy depths of wonderful gorges, and tho ‘‘long glories of tho level lake,” on which there, is no need to enlarge hero. Especial interest attached to the run through tho Kawarau Gorge in view of tho projected developments there, and tho opportunity was seized of visiting all points of interest. The enormous development of water-power for electric generation, irrigation, and other uses in the district constantly forced itself upon nnr attention. The trip, which embraced flix days, allowed of many .stops and most interesting small excursions, missed in a. mere, run through; but-, further than this, there, was time without hurrying to spend two days in Queenstown, during which, among others, tho wonderful “Skippers” trip -—surely one of the most remarkable short drives in tho world! —was taken by coach and four. A quiet, time in Queenstown for those who felt the need for it. and another delightful halt-day at tho fine new hotel at Wiinaka prepared the party for the trip home. All members of the parly express the opinion that tho nature ot the. lour—a ‘‘personally conducted” one, a type of tour fairly new here—was eminently satisfactory and not unduly expensive. It was arranged under the auspices of one of Yho big motor organisations (the Aard). which handled the booking and arranged accommodation, but the conduct of the trip was in tho hands of Mr John Anderson, of Cromwell, a well-known figure in the district. Ilia function was to lay out all tho details of tho itinerary and side trips, and to his local knowledge much of the success of the trip attached. The trippers also expressed appreciation of the courtesy ot Mr Anderson, whoso kindness in allowing of stops not in the schedule, and in many other ways made possible the fullest enjoyment of “ Six Wonderful Days.”