WITH TENT AND MOTOR

Evening Star, Issue 20980, 19 December 1931, Page 23

WITH TENT AND MOTOR

DELIGHTFUL WEST COAST JOURNEYS THE LAKES AND GLACIERS GREAT GAMPING OPPORTUNITIES [By Tun*.] As a further service to readers, “ Trip ” is prepared to answer queries on any matter relating to motor camping, whether it be the selection of camping equipment or the planning of an itinerary. Such queries should be addressed to ‘‘ Trip,” P.O. Box 1,178, Wellington, and a stamped, addressed en- • velope enclosed for reply. The West Coast of the South Island is a very charming place for a camping holiday round about December and January, when the weather is usually fairly settled, and in fact one might almost say that there are two West Coasts. There is a great deal of difference between that part of the Coast lying to the north of Greymouth, and the portion traversed on the way south to two of New, Zealand’s greatest glories, the Franz Josef, and the Fox glaciers, and there is so much to do in either portion that those with limited time at their disposal may well consider spending the whole of one holiday on one part of the Coast, leaving the , other portion to be seen on a subsequent occasion. So that some practical basis may be given this suggestion, *b?g article deals with only the southern portion of the Coast, and it will be followed later by an article _ telling something of what is worth seeing further north. ACROSS FROM CHRISTCHURCH. It is some years now since “Trip,” in a spirit of venturesomeness, decided to make the overland journey between Christchurch and the West Coast entirely by car, instead of putting the -.car on the' train between Springfield ■’'and. Otira, as is usually done. The car was a fairly light one, and the road pretty rough, so that the’principal impression gained was that any motorist is unwise to bother attempting the -journey when he may easily do a good deal of damage to his car. The river crossings—and there are a good many of them—are very rough, the river bottom being of big boulders oyer which ■ the car bounces. It is possible that some of these have been improved recently, but if so, I have not heard of it. My own idea is that the best plan by'far is to put the car on the train at Otira, and then make back through the beautiful gorge and run up Arthur’s Pass if you like. There are some splendid camping places in the gorge, which is at its best during the summer. The becomes rough soon after leaving Springfield, and the surface is very bad in places. The country you pass through is very barren in most parts, and the landscape is only relieved occasionally by an odd homestead, or hy the ruins of old hotels which served in the days when the only way across to the Coast was by coach. Some of the hills before you get to Arthur’s Pass are really worse than the Pass itself, owing to _ the poor surface, and altogether the journey has little to recommend it, when it can be tackled more pleasantly from the other end. OTIRA-HOKIT.IKA Otira, with the mountains , rising . . sheer above ypu, snow-capped, is a wonderful place in winter, but the gorge is most beautiful in summer, when the rata is in bloom, and you will certainly want to camp there. One respect in Which the West Coast varies from most of the places visited by motor campers, is that the most attractive spots are usually some considerable distance away from towns, etc., and therefore there are no well-equipped camping grounds waiting for you, other than at places like Greymouth and Westport. However, this has its compensations, for there is no overcrowding, as at some of the more popular tourist resorts, and you can select a camp site anywhere and be almost certain of solitude. Moreover, there are creeks in abundance in _ most parts, so that there is ‘ seldom difficulty in finding a suitable spot._ It is an easy fifty-mile run from Otira to Hokitika, and there are some very pretty bush avenues on the way through. The road runs through the now almost-deserted village of Kumara, once a thriving gold-mining centre, and also through Stafford, another township made famous during the gold-mining days, of which there is still evidence in the tremendous piles of debris everywhere. f Motorists will find that the pleasantest place to camp in the vicinity of Hokitika is at Lake Kanieri, about 12 miles out of town. It is set in the midst of the bush, and there are firstrate beaches by it, also places where camp can be pitched. It provides excellent boating and fishing. FRANZ JOSEF AND FOX GLACIERS. Up till the time the hostel was opened at the Fox Glacier a couple of years ago, a journey there was considered something of an adventure, but with road improvements and this comfortable place at which to stay it has sprung into popularity, and should certainly be included in the itinerary by anyone wishing to' see all that the southern portion of the West Coast has to offer. The road goes a considerable distance further south, and it may surprise many motorists to know that farming is carried on well south of the Fox Glacier. Franz Josef is so well known by reputation that it seems almost unnecessary to say anything about it, other than that it is probably New Zealand’s greatest glacier in point of magnificence. The road down has been vastly improved during the past live years, and the creeks that formerly gave , trouble are _ now bridged. But for those who wish to take the run in easy stages, and who want their fill of West Coast bush and Jake camps can bo made at Lake lanthe. Lake Wahapo, and Lake Mapourika, each of which has a charm of its own. The ideal, of course, is reached if a boat is included in the equipment, and both shooting and fishing a-plenty will be had in the vicinity of these bush-clad lakes set by the side of the road. Eventually it is intended that there will be a motor road from the West Coast across to the Haast Pass to the Central Otago lakes, but this will be many years off yet. When it eventuates it will start off from the Fox Glacier and go southwards over a route that can now be covered only on horseback. One point should perhaps he emphasised before concluding this article, and that is that the further south you go on this journey the further you are away from supplies, etc., and although there are stores at all the small townships through which you pass, it is wise to carry more provisions than usual.