Rain from Hasst to Wanaka

Rain at Lake Hawea

On the Hasst Highway

Headlands Bluff, Near Hasst

Just before Hasst, heading south, one encounters what must be the world's longest one-lane bridge, perhaps the better part of a kilometer, with two “passing bays,” just in case you meet another vehicle. (The train track does not go this far south). The bridge crosses the Hasst River, which drains many mountains and valleys east of here, just before it meets the sea. The whole area is replete with geological features of earlier times, when the glaciers came right down to the sea.

From Hasst, the road turns east and follows the river up into the mountains to Hasst Pass. We did all this in the continuing rain, stopping occasionally to walk back to a waterfall viewpoint or some other feature. Lots of waterfalls in this terrain. The vegetation also changes, the fern trees and such giving way to the alpine (more properly, montane) flora to which we are more accustomed. Still richly forested, big trees, but not so dense and impenetrable as the bush.

Beyond the pass, one enters into a sort of lake country, now in or near the Mount Aspiring National Park. These are high, enormous lakes, remnants from the ice ages, many miles long and presumably very deep. We spent an hour or more driving past Lake Wanaka and then Lake Hawea. One of the photos shows Lake Hawea. Note rain.

At length, we arrived in the tourist town of Wanaka, on the edge of Mt. Aspiring NP, and decided to hold up here, at a “backpacker” lodge, for a few days, regrouping, hiking, etc.

Note on accommodations. Since Australia, we have noted the prevalence of “backpacker” accommodations everywhere. We have stayed at many, including the holiday parks. Essentially, they offer a range of accommodations, everything from a tent-site to en suite rooms, with a commons area including ample kitchen, appliances, utentsils, dishes, etc. The place we are at in Wanaka even has its own bar-ware. These accommodations may seem favored by the younger, gap-year set, but not really. There are always families, people our age (or nearly so), trekkers and trampers, all sorts of nationalities. It's a great way to travel, affordable, and a great way to meet others of like interests.