A LAND CRUISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22776, 11 January 1936, Page 3

A LAND CRUISE

By Cruiser, The word “cruise” in itself suggests a leisurely and carefree excursion, and this the recently introduced “ land cruise” certainly proved to be. For beauty and variety of scenery, it is doubtful if this eight days’ tour could be surpassed anywhere in New Zealand. On December 27 last a party of 14 set out from the White Star garage in Dunedin, the objective that day being Invercargill, via Gatlins. This is a route not commonly known to the public, and, although the road is not first class, those who have ventured have been amply rewarded. Few people realise that it is one ,of the finest motor runs in Otago and Southland, the scenery rivalling that of the Eglinton Valley and the West Coast. Of the numerous varieties of trees encountered in the Chaslands district, one is struck most profoundly by the glory of the crimson flowered rata, the pink and white kamahi, the beech, matai and rimu which soar in all their majesty above the dense undergrowth of ferns. The bush in many places is so dense as to be almost impenetrable, but occasionally one conies across a clearing where the sombre green of the bush is brought into relief by the gay colouring of pink, red, and white foxgloves. At one stage we came suddenly upon the most delightful spectacle of a small farm house surrounded by a lovely garden, of which even a city home might well be proud. A delicate touch was effected by the word “ Chaslands ” in the centre, worded in shells procurred from local beaches. There is nothing of the rush and roar of the city in these parts. The perfect stillness is broken only by the liquid notes of the bell-bird and the tui. We partook of a picnic lunch in these delightful surroundings, and had not continued far when we suddenly emerged from dense bush to green, open fields, cleared by courageous pioneers. Then the last stage over open country through Portroso to Invercargill completed a day of unbroken interest.

The second day’s journey, Invercargill to Te Anau, through Winton, Dipton, and Mossburn, was covered in a short time. We again picnicked by the way and reached Te Anau in the early afternoon. At our first glimpse of Te Anau we were auspiciously greeted by the splendour of thickly wooded hills arising above the sapphire blue of the lake, on which the slanting rays of the brilliant sun produced the effect of a myriad of sparkling jewels. The remainder of the afternoon was pleasurably spent, the members of the party availing themselves of the lovely walks in the vicinity.

The third day of the cruise was the unforgettable trip to the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. For miles and miles we glided through avenues of towering trees, through which the brilliant sun cast a fairy-like pattern on the road. Climbing by an easy grade, we reached an altitude of 1100 feet, where the Earle Range, known as the “disappearing mountains,” came into view. As the word “disappearing” would suggest, these mountains present an optical illusion, in that at a later stage they are lost to view, but, phantom-like, they again present themselves to our startled gaze. Awe-inspiring mountains, tiny waterfalls, tumbling cascades, bush teeming with bird life, the limpid waters of miniature lakes, all combine to leave a lasting impression of a glorious valley of enchantment.

On the fourth day Lake Manapouri was our objective. This gem, aptly termed “ The Lake of a Hundred Isles,” is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all the southern lakes. A striking feature is the abundance of bush which girds the very water’s edge, and there is consequqntly no lack of beautiful walks along the lakeside. A launch trip gives an opportunity of viewing at close quarters the myriad of thicklywooded islets. Then on returning to the Manapouri Hostel, what a picture greets the eye! The hostel is possessed of an incomparable site, occupying as it does an elevated position commanding a perfect panorama of the bush-clad lake with its bush-clad isles. Suppose it were monarch of all it surveyed, with what mighty riches would it be endowed! The next day Queenstown was reached via Mossburn, Five Rivers, the charming little village of Athol, Garston and Kingston, where the party, along with the two motors, embarked by the Earnslaw. The following morning was enjoyably spent in Queenstown, the beauties of which are known to all. In the afternoon the party left for Pembroke, Lake Wanaka, traversing the Crown Range cn route, the highest motoring road in New Zealand, 3667 feet, from the summit of which a magnificent view of the Kawarau Gorge, Lakes Hayes and Wakatipu, the Remarkables and the Queenstown and Arrowtown districts is obtained. Then comes the tortuous descent from the summit down the Cardrona Valley on the other side. The now almost deserted village of Cardrona was a flourishing township in the days of the gold boom. A short run takes us to Lake Wanaka, a scintillating jewel, the acme of perfection in variety of unblemished reflections.

On the seventh day a launch trip on Lake Wanaka afforded ns the opportunity of viewing one of the most outstanding and picturesque wonders of our wonderful New Zealand, namely Lake Paradise, on Pigeon Island. Can you believe this? Hundreds of feet above Lake Wanaka nestles a miniature lake —a mystery fresh, water lake wherein fish abound, a mystery lake with no apparent inlet or outlet. We realised that We had beheld one of Nature’s most precious jewels.. On the lakelet too, there is a tiny wooded isle. Now figure this out; what is this islet? It is an isle on a lake, on an isle, on a lake (Wanaka), on an isle (the South Island). If necessary, think- it over. Better still, go and see it for yourself. So much for Lake Paradise, situated on another paradise, beautiful Lake Wanaka, Otago’s queen mirror. On the eighth day sunny Central Otago upheld its reputation and treated us with its proverbial bright sunshine, ensuring a happy and pleasant ending to eight days of perfect enjoyment. The careful and thoughtful arrangement of the tour, perfect weather conditions, the charm and variation of the scenery, and perhaps most of all the pleasant associations formed united to make this an ideal holiday, one which will ever remain in our minda. To those who will themselves take advantage of this unparalleled eight-day cruise, which is being conducted periodically until the end of March, we extend with confidence our heartiest good wishes for an enjoyable tour. Those who have cars of tiieir own will have no regrets if they follow the itinerary of this unforgettable tour.