MOTOR OUTINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 December 1935, Page 8

MOTOR OUTINGS

ABOUT NELSON

OFFICIAL ROAD REPORT

COMPILED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Following the usual custom the Secretary of the Nelson Automobile Association (Mr E. 11. Neaic) supplies the following brief reports on the district roads and others likely to he frequented by motorists during (he holidays. Care has been taken to get as accurate information as possible concerning those not recently personally inspected but in any direction where weather conditions are likely to aitect the position motorists should endeavour to secure first hand information as late as possible before leaving. Local motorists who intend to travel in the holidays are advised to keep a copy of this report for their own use or for possible visitors.

Nelson to Blenheim via Havelock The road is in very good order. Extensive work has effected great improvements in the Collins Valley, Lower Wangamoa and Rai.

To Picton The main highway from Blenheim to Picton is in splendid condition but drivers wishing to reach the port without going through Blenheim have several alternatives.

The Grove Track This road goes direct from Havelock to Picton round the Sounds and is a very pretty and unusual run but should not be taken during wet weather as it is unmetalled, narrow and winding. It is quite all right in dry weather but must he driven very carefully. It is the shortest route to Picton, but not the quickest. Extensive work has been carried out on the Mahakipawa Hill. After negotiating the hill (near Havelock) there is an easy run through Mahakipawa to the Grove where the road round the Sound commences. The portion in the vicinity of tlm Ngakuta Homestead is often not in the best of condition and should be taken carefully. (Nelson to Picton via Grove, 73 miles).

Round the River to Tua Marina The second alternative route to Picton is to turn off to the left shortly before reaching the Wairau bridge and follow the river round to Tua Marina coming out at the foot of Massacre llill and so on to Picton. The road is quite good and rather pretty, winding and a little narrow in places. The third (and probably' the quickest route) is to turn to the left just before reaching the river bed road to Romvick and go through Eapaura and Spring Creek. A long straight run from the turn off for several miles to Redwood’s' at Spring Creek enables time to be made up (if required) and the driver will come out at Spring Creek station joining the main Blen-heini-Piclon road there.

Round Trip Nelson to Nelson via Tophouse, Wairau Valley, Blenheim (or Renwick) and Havelock. About 205 miles (about 191 it Blenheim is omitted). Lake Roloiti can he visited at a cost of about 10 miles extra. Fold through Motupiko river at Tophouse should be watched in wet weather.

Lake Rotoiti (G 4 miles) The road from Korerc to Tophouse has been very greatly improved. Turn off at P.O. Store, Korcre, and cross Motupiko river. Ford near Accommodation House at Tophouse may be troublesome in wet weather. Number of watercourses on road.

Lake Rotoroa (09 miles) Turn off at Gowan Bridge Railway Station; Road up valley in fair order. Good accommodation house. Boating, shooting, fishing. Three Bridges Drive Round the Waimea Plains, through Richmond, Brightwater, Waimea West and Appleby. Level roads. 33 miles. West Coast

The very extensive work on the Hope Saddle has now been completed, and the old Hill is hardly recognisable. All corners have been greatly widened, and two deviations cut out bad pinches. No motorist need have any fear of this hill now. Extensive work on the flat between the Hope and Glenhope has caused this road to be very rough at present, but there is no difficulty. Moorhouse’s Creek is now bridged. Westport by this route 147 miles. Motorists during the Coast trip are strongly advised to traverse the new coast road between Westport and Greymouth (about 63 miles). It enables one to see the Lower Buller Gorge to Westport and then travel to Greymouth down the coast without having to return to Inangahua Junction, and is infinitely prettier and more interesting than the comparatively drab journey through Inangahua and Greymouth by tlie old route. If desired of course one route can be taken one way and a return made by the other. It is not necessary to actually go into Westport on this run as the road branches four miles inland from the town. (Signposts indicate.) The Fox River is now bridged. Via Manila If the quickest route is not a necessity a very interesting alternative to the Buller is through the Maruia Valley. Keep straight on when leaving Murchison and travel up the Matakitaki Valley instead of crossing the river to the right. The road was properly opened and much improved when the Buller Gorge was blocked and there is much fine bush on the way. Road has gone back somewhat since the Buller was re-opened, but it is still in quite fair order. Accommodation is available at Lester’s about 36 miles from Murchison, ainl the road comes out at Ileefton (by this route about 25 miles longer.)

Maruia Hot Springs The above is now the quickest route to the Springs from Nelson. Springs Junction is about 12 miles past Lester’s on the above route and the Springs about 9 miles from the Junction. Tlie road is now in quite good order for motor traffic. From Nelson, about 140 miles. New hostel now open, lluts also available for rental.

Nelson=Motueka (34 miles) Main road in splendid order. Via Ruby Bay and Tasman (39 miles). Surface generally good and some of the corners improved. The Association has now after considerable trouble and expense established a much needed water supply on its freehold property at Ruby Bay and pumps have been installed at each end of the property. This removes the only serious drawback to the property, and it is hoped that care will he taken of tlie pumps and that fires will be lit only in tlie properly constructed fire-places provided. Ferns must not be taken from Mr McKee’s bush adjoining. Moutere Hills District 'There are many roads in and about the Hills District opened up in recent years which are more or less unknown to tlie average driver. The Association lias signposted most of these and the

inolorist will find many interesting alternative runs available without the fear of losing his way.

Motueka Valley Area The same remark may be applied to this locality where the roads are now fully signposted and different routes can he taken with safety. Road now opSiii right through to Riwaka via West bank

Tiie upper portion of the Motueka Valley is well worth a trip and one can come out over Stanley Brook to Tapawera and return by way of Spooner’s Range (now enormously improved) and the Waimea Plains. Takaka Always a popular run, the road to Takaka' is in quite good order. The llill of course requires to be taken carefully, but there is no need for it to deter any average driver from taking the trip. Its length is its chief drawback, but some wonderful views are obtainable. Very extensive improvements are now in on the hill, hut are not yet completed. On proceeding down the Takaka Valley the road forks, the West and East, roads. Either will lead into Takaka from Uruwhcniia (10 miles). The West road is almost level and easier driving, the East road a lit He hilly and higher. They can be alternated going in and returning. From Takaka the roads are good down to Poliara Beach and the Cement Works (6 miles), and the Pupu Springs (3 miles) can be reached comfortably, although the last small portion of the latter road is not of the best. All these side trips can be compassed iu ail hour or two. The new road beyond the Cement Works is now open to motor traffic right over to Ligar and Waimii Bays, and makes an interesting addition to the Takaka side trips. Malison s Takaka Caves are not open at present.

Colliiiffwood The road from Takaka. to Collingwood (19 miles) is in good order and a favourite run'now being much availed of is to go oil beyond Collingwood to Puponga (15 miles) and towards Farewell Spit. There are good camping and picnic spots in many localities along this area. Rockville 6 miles, Bainham 12 miles up the Aorere Valley, Westlniven (12 miles), branch off at Pakawau. There is an excellent beach at Pakawau.

Over Dovedale to Motueka Valley Tile road on this favourite run is in excellent order and the trees in the Dove Valley are always beautiful whatever the season of the year. There are many tobacco fields in this locality nowadays. 1 Go straight through Wakefield and Pigeon Valley instead of continuing on the West Coast road.

Kaiteriteri and Sandy Bay Branch off at Riwaka near foot of Takaka Hill. The new road from Riwaka has been constructed lor a considerable distance and is iu good order in fine weather, Good beach and picnic spots.

New Croiselles Road The road branches off at Rai Valley (Flat Creek) on this side of the township. In proceeding up the Valley be careful to keep to the left road about half a mile up. The road continues oil for several miles and then runs along the ridge from which splendid views are obtainable. The distance from Flat Creek is about 12 miles. Grades easy. Roads fairly good.

To Wakefield, Up Waidti Valley, down 88 Valley A comparatively short but interesting run. About 60 miles. Cross the Wai-iti river at Belgrovd (now bridged), continuing up the Wai-iti Valley turning to the left oyer the hill into 88 Valley near Kainui homestead; run down the latter valley into Wakefield again. The large pine plantations in this area make an interesting sight. 88 Valley can of course be readied by turning up Quail Valley before reaching Belgrove, but this cuts out an interesting portion of Wai-iti Valley.

Aniseed Valley The Association lias purchased for the use of its members a pretty area of land in this popular valley near the first gate, about a mile or so from tlie foot of the bill. The area has been cleaned up and improvements made. The Hill on the Nelson side should be taken carefully and descended in second gear.

Wairoa Gorge A short round trip can bo made through the Gorge, turning off at Brightwater and coming out at Wakefield or vice versa. The road is rather narrow in places at the Brightwater end and some creek crossings towards the Wakefield end are sometimes very soft. If tlie trip is taken from Wakefield the driver will be on the inside running through the Gorge. (The Lee Valley off the Brightwater end of the Gorge is quite a good picnic spot.) The Glen About 8 miles out to tlie open sea. Turn olf beyond Black Horse Hotel on Blenheim Road. Cable Bay This is still a popular run of about 15 miles. Turn off on the Blenheim road about 9 miles out. Road narrow and should bo driven very carefully, especially during holidays. Christchurch The road to Christchurch through Blenheim and Kaikoura is in splendid order. There is nothing on the whole journey to cause any trouble. The bashwood Pass road which reduces the distance between Blenheim and Seddon by about 4 miles and avoids the Redwood Pass is now open. It is an easily graded wide road. To those crossing from Coast to Coast and coming home by the other route, it may be mentioned that it is advisable to book as far ahead as possible for a truck on the railway (if one is going through the tunnel) and it is well to wire tlie Railway at Christchurch or Greymouth as tlie case may be as soon as one is certain of the day the truck is required. Many motorists of course still go over the Otira Gorge and are well repaid in the matter of scenery. The hill is best tackled from the Canterbury side and enquiries should be made from the Canterbury Association or its Greymouth branch as to the latest road reports.