WITH TENT AND MOTOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 21 (Supplement)

WITH TENT AND MOTOR

ALTERNATIVE ’XMAS JOURNEYS

WEST COAST AND FRANZ JOSEPH By “Trip.” (All Rights Reserved.) These articles, appearing weekly during the summer months are written primarily for motor campers, but will give motorists generally useful inforation about roads. In order that they may be of fullest service queries will be answered, and assistance given in the planning of itineraries. All queries should be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope, and forwarded to “Trip,” P.O. Box 1178, Wellington.

The majority of motor campers have fairly brief holidays at Christmas, these lasting from three days up to a week. The country which they can cover during that time is limited, and if they attempt too much they return to work more tired than when they left. Those who have longer holidays usually prefer to take these between January and March when the weather is more settled and the motor camps less busy. During the next few weeks half a dozen different journeys suitable for Christmas holidays will be detailed, one or two of which are within easy access of practically all motorists. Each of these will cover certain places that offer exceptional attractions to the tourist, and especially the motor camper, and where more time is available, several can be combined into one excellent holiday.

N elson—Murchison—Hokitika Places to Gamp: Nelson. Two camping grounds. Reservoir reserve best appointed. Murchison: Good camping available handy to town. Westport: Well appointed ground. Reefton: Camping ground. Mawheraiti: Near river. One of the few places to camp between Reefton and Greymouth. Greymouth: Proper camping ground. Hokitika: Near town, but wonderful camping at Lake Kanieri, 12 miles out. Franz Joseph: Just across river, past hotel. Other camping places: Between Hokitika and the glacier there are several lakes near which there are fine camp sites. Plenty of places all along this road.

Be sure and see: Earthquake damage in vicinity of Murchison. Buller Gorge on the road that has just been re-open-ed. The specially beautiful reaches of the Buller between Inangahua Junction and Westport, (off main road south). Lakes Kanieri, Tanthe. Wahapo and Mapourika. In a fairly strenuous four day trip, it is possible to make across from Christchurch to the West Coast, up to Nelson, across tn Pict on. and back home down the East Coast, via Kaikoura. Meantime. however, we arc not concerned with the round trip, but rather with the particular attractions of the West Coast itself. Old Road Re-opened

The re-opening of the old road through the Buller gorge makes possible a round trip on the coast itself. The journey one way can be made on the old road, and on the return trip can be made on the road which runs out via Maruia. This road, made into a secondary highway after the big earthquake, is in good condition and will probably be fairly well maintained for some time yet. There is a danger of slips on the road that has just been re-opened and it will probably be wiser to avoid it if the weather is bad.

The run southwards from Nelson to Murchison, a distance of just over 80 miles, offers no difficulties other than a few fairly steep hills, and some bad corners. The highest point of the road is at the top of the Hope saddle, and from here a glorious panorama of bushcovered hills and valleys is obtained. By camping in the vicinity of Murchison easy access is obtained to the l changes wrought in the landscape by the terrible earthquake last year. Those who see these within the next few years see geological history in the making, for the growth of bush and grass is gradually covering up the worst of the scars, and eventually there will be only another beautiful West Coast lake, to show for all the damage. Between Murchison and Inangahua Junction you traverse the Buller gorge road, probably the most ruggedly beautiful stretch of road in New Zealand. It is winding, narrow in places, and at times rises sheer above the river, hundreds of feet below, but the surface is good and with careful driving no trouble should be experienced. For about thirty miles the road winds in and out of the beautiful bush, and throughout the greater part of the journey the silent, green menacing river, is flowing, away down below the road. It is a journey that cannot be adequately described in words. Diversion to Westport. There is nothing in particular about Westport that calls for a diversion from the main road, but one of the most wonderful stretches of the Buller gorge road and certainly the most spectacular, lies between Inangahua Junction and the town of Westport. There is a motor camp at Westport, at the racecourse, so that a night can be spent there if desired. Between Inangahua Junction and Hokitika there are no particular beauty spots to command attention. The road runs through Reefton and Grey mouth and there are camping grounds at both places. There arc very few points between Reefton and Greymouth i which offer decent camping, one of the best being near the river at Mawheraiti. While there is quite good camping handy to Hokitika, it is well Awrth while running out to Lake Kanieri and camping there, for this is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Dominion, and offers good swimming, fishing and boating, and plenty of mountain rambles, if time be available. Southwards to Glacier Those who have never been over to the Coast often have quite erroneous ideas regarding the roads there. It is true that some of the by-roads are very rough, and that portions of the main road south to the glacier is a very good one and though it is narrow in places, it offers no difficulties even during wet weather. The road runs in and out of wonderful bush, close to the shores of several beautiful lakes, and provides many excellent spots at which camp can be pitched. It is roughly 100 miles from Hokitika to the glacier, and it is

a very easy day’s journey. Lovers of the open air, however, can holiday for weeks along this stretch, for it offers just about everything possible in the outdoor life. It is doubtful whether there is anywhere in Now Zealand a more delightfully-situated lake than lanthe by which you pass as you go south. Practically all the river crossings which used to be the bane of motorists, and give endless trouble during the sudden spells of wot weather which so often come during the West Coast summer, have now been bridged, so that access to the glacier is easy at all times. The best camping place at the glacier is across the bridge just past the hotel, there being ample flat space there. Guides are essential for glacier trips, and motor campers should always link up with the parties from the hotel. A good garage is attached to the hotel, and benzine supplies are obtainable there. It is unnecessary to describe th? many journeys that can be made afoot in the glacier region, except to say that these are legion, and that they can be made by all, practically irrespective of age.