Franz Josef to Wanaka

We started out early in order to catch the perfect mirror reflection of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps on Lake Matheson, near the town os Fox Glacier. Afterwards we past the township of Haast and headed into the mountains and bid farewell to the coastline. The scenery changed dramatically as our journey continued, it was an enjoyable ride.

We crossed a bridge at the Gates of Haast, headed up the pass and into the Mount Aspiring National Park. This pass was used by the Maori to trade Poumanu (Greenstone) and food. It is the lowest pass over the main divide being 563 metres above sea level. We could see the fault lines associated with the main divide by the huge cracks in the rock. We stopped to have a look at a waterfall or two as we made our way up over the mountains. As we came down the eastern side of the main divide, we went over toward Makarora (Mak-a-roar-ra), a wilderness stopover boasting a population of 60, if you could find them!

The hour or so drive from Makarora through to Wanaka was simply stunning as we entered the Otago region and the stunning lakes district with its imposing mountain ranges.