WITH TENT AND MOTOR

Evening Star, Issue 20996, 9 January 1932, Page 9

WITH TENT AND MOTOR

' IN THE NELSON DISTRICT MAKING A ROUND TRIP GOOD CAMPING HOLIDAYS [By Trip.] As a further service to readers, " Trip ” is prepared to answer queries on matters relating to motor camping and to assist in the planning of itineraries. Queries should be addressed to “ Trip,” P.O. Box 1,178, Wellington, and a stamped addressed envelope enclosed for leply.A combination of the need for economy, plus the exceptionally good weather during the Christmas holidays, was doubtless responsible for the very marked increase in the number of motor campers afield in various districts, and more particularly in the popular tourist resorts, lliere are many people whose business makes it impossible for them to take a spell of more than a day or two at Christmas, and who will be holidaying later in the year, and if economy is a necessary consideration, they may well be recommended to consider the idea of a camping tour. One of the most interesting round trips in the South Island is that from Christchurch to the West Coast, and thence, via Nelson and the East Coast, back to Christchurch again. The West Coast portion of this journey has already been described, so in this article we will concern ourselves only with the remainder. It should bo mentioned in passing that the most interesting portion of this trip is necessarily the West Coast, and that the rest can be covered quickly or slowly according to the time left. IN THE NELSON DISTRICT. The road through from the West Coast to Nelson is a good one, with a few steep hills in places, and with opportunity for making several interesting detours, such as to Lakes Rotoroa or Rotoiti, at either of which good camping may he had. The centre of a fruitgrowing district, Nelson has long prided itself on being an educational centre also, and there are a number of institutions well worth visiting by those interested in literature and art. It possesses very beautiful gardens, has a particularly kindly climate and plenty of sunshine, and welcomes the motor-camper at a well-equipped ground. There are a number of journeys to he made from Nelson which will prove extremely pleasant, all through peaceful, settled country, and the run up to Collingwood, and thence if desired, to Cape Farewell, opens up country that is very beautiful indeed, and comparatively little known. THE ORCHARD LANDS. During the season there is no more beautiful sight than that of the orchards, which everywhere line the roads in this district, and for that reason the run through to Motueka and Takaka should be included if there is time. The roads wind over several lines of hills, from the tops of which you get wonderful panoramas of coastline scenery of exceptional beauty. The best road to take to Motueka is that which runs out through the Reddwoods Valley to upper and lower Mputere, for this takes you through the heart of the apple-growing country. Another feature of interest to the visitor is the tobacco, which is usually grown in small areas, and they are clotted all over this district. Beyond Motueka you come into the marble district of the dominion, and here and there get very beautiful glimpses of all kinds and colours oi marble. You come also to the tenmile pull up Takaka hill—a good grade—with its wonderful vistas of coast-line scenery. The Takaka district is a good one for the visitor, for it has a number of attractions, including bubbling springs and caves, simiHr in type to, though smaller, than the Waitorao caves. The beaches there provide good fishing, and there are plenty of excellent camping places available. From Takaka to Collingwood is a further sixteen miles, and it is from a point on this road that you take off if going to see the famous Pupu springs. Beyond Collingwood the road goes on to Puponga, a coal mining village close to Cape Farewell, but as X have never been on this section, I cannot say whether the roads are good. Without a doubt this area is one oi the most peaceful and inviting for the motor-camper, and, were it not for its comparative isolation, it would be equally as popular as some of the tourist resorts. PICTON AND THE SOUNDS. From Nelson to Picton, via Blenheim, is just under 100 miles, but, for those who aro prepared to make their way over a rough, but very beautiful track, there is the Grove road to Picton from Havelock, Instead of cutting inland, this track leads round the coast of Queen Charlotte Sound. For the first few miles out of Havelock it is a good road and metalled, hut after passing a fertile valley in which dairying is carried on, it becomes little more than a track, winding, and narrow, and sometimes very bumpy. _ It has to bo taken slowly, but it is a unique journey, and at odd points «n the route it would be possible to camp by the peaceful waters of the sound. Another very popular camping spot on the road between Nelson and Blenheim is near the bridge over the Pelorus river, where there is fine swimming and fishing to be had. _ , In any case Picton should certainly be visited, and advantage taken of the opportunity for seeing something of the sounds. There are tivo camping grounds at Picton, one close handy to the wharf, and no charge is made. Blenheim also provides good camping accommodation, and out of the tovn, on the Picton side, there are a mimler of places offering good camping near the river. Those with sufficient time to spire may find it pleasant to camp at Pelorus bridge (where there is a well-equipped ground) and make excursions down to Havelock, whence launch trips to parts of the sounds can be made. As the sounds are not roaded in the sense that there are no scenic roads ruining round the various inlets, the only yay to see these is to take launch tups to various points. At most tines these trips are quite reasonable in price, as the launches are regulirly visiting all portions of the sounds, taking stores and mail to the settlers who have no road access. _ There is a remarkable difference between the ruggednoss of tbo Vest Coast and the quieter beauty of the Nelson district, but the latter cap be equally interesting from the holidaymaker’s _ viewpoint, offering a pleasant alternative to those who have alrfady seen most of the West Coast woiilers, and providing an additional attraction where time permits a longer holiday..