Haast Pass early morning mountains and low clouds...
On this drive we knew from the map that would pass a series of waterfalls, some visible from the road, others a short walk away. The first one that we stopped at was Roaring Billy. A short scuttle through the forest trail and we emerged on the silvery grey boulder river bed. The water was crashing down the mountainside.
And as we got closer we could see that the river was running strong and fast.
Wiji admiring the morning.
Walking back from Roaring Bill, we commented on how well the Department of Conversation make and keep the trails. This path was alive with bird song, and tree ferns galore too!
Oh hi! Come on in, its a bit of a mess, mind.
After some mucking about we arrived at our next waterfall of the day, Thunder Creek. This had a waterside viewing platform full of snap happy Japanese tourists, so we snapped and left.
On to Fantail Falls, a bit more sedate here, and we were actually starting to really appreciate the benefits of all the rain that we had been having since leaving Christchurch.
All the waterfalls had cut a massive pathway from the very top of the mountains. It was hard to believe that the torrents of water could run so forcefully, but they did!
Next on our list of 'must see' for the day was the aptly named Blue Pools. We were straight into it hoofing it down the trail and over the bridge to get to the pools...We were not disappointed! Look at the colour!
The water was very deep in places and it was there that we could see the large brown trout swimming below.
I was loving it sooo much. Really I wanted to rip my clothes off and jump off the rail into the icy blue depths. In reality I'd have had to shove a few pensioners out of the way first, a bit of downside and deterrent. Lol
We wandered over the rocks and down onto the exposed river bed to get a shot looking back up the river to the viewing platform.
Back on the suspension bridge, with a bit more time for pics, here I am doing well with the height and the sway...
What you can't see here is Wiji's delight in swinging the bridge with some skipperty-do steps. Thanks love.
After the blue pools we continued to head south across mountainous wilderness, countryside and farming areas. Stopping at Makarora for a cuppa in the cafe. After this stop we spotted the first of many deer farms.
On climbing progressively through the landscape we got our first real view of the enormous Lake Wanaka.
Then we carried on over the mountains and stopped for a sarnie in the car on the isthmus between the two lakes. Here we stopped and looked down towards Lake Hawea, which is home to trout and landlocked salmon.
Wiji dancing away in the car...
Aaaah.
The snow capped mountains in the distance, behind us.
On our way through the incredible landscape to Lake Wanaka and an epic vantage point...
Lake Hawea was huge too!
And brilliantly sunny, we had high hopes for more sunshine!
Looking back...
2 comments:
loved the bit about department of conversation!!!xxjp
It seems as if there is no-one else in the world. Wonderful xx
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