HAAST — WANAKA, 13th March, 2021.

Woke up to overcast weather and low clouds around the mountains.  We were heading to Wanaka over the Haast Pass. At first I was having trouble with the photos being under exposed as the sun hadn’t come over the high mountains and the clouds were low which you will see in the first few photos. We thought that we might be going to have a cloudy day but once we started to get to the other side of the mountains  the clouds lifted and it turned out to be a brilliant day. So we will have blue sky once more. At the first part of the Pass it wasn’t very interesting but still pretty with tree lined roads and hills, but as we got into it , it got better and better.  Different scenery from Arthur’s Pass which is still my favourite.  We left Haast at 9.00am and didn’t get into camp at Wanaka until after 3.00pm. We had lots of stopping, what with me jumbing in and out of the van taking photos and a couple of waterfalls to walk through the bush to see. We had one long walk to go and see the Blue pools more on all this later on. More river and mountain photos over Haast Pass until we came to the top of Lake Wanaka. Wow what a view of the Lake. Stopped about three times down the side of the lake for photos. Then crossed over to Lake Hawea, more stopping as we drove down the side of the Lake. What a day for the lake photos. Continued on into Wanaka after stopping at the new big New World. Stocked up before we checked into Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park site 23. Literally chuck the food into the fridge and went down to the TV lounge to watch, guess what, yes the RACE. Haven’t had time to do anything in Wanaka yet but we are having two nights here or maybe three so will look around Wanaka tomorrow.

There was a huge A&P Show in town yesterday and today so the place was a mad house couldn’t get near anything along the lakefront. Trust us to hit town with all that going on but we have been told it finished today. That’s lucky. The camp is full tonight but they will start clearing out tomorrow. Hope we get another good day tomorrow to see Wanaka. It’s ended up a warm day after a cooler start..

Sunset over our campsite last night in Haast. 

We really enjoyed our two nights there,

On our way at the start of the Haast Pass. High cloud,  as above with patches of low cloud sweeping around the mountains along the river.

This is all we saw for some time mountains covered in trees,  down to the side of the road. Now and again we had peeps of the river through the trees. We then started to climb and the river was running along down in the valleys, still no sun today.

Peep of the river so had to get a photo. Didn’t stay long as attacked by sand flies. As I said yesterday a lot of them on the west coast.

Further on we were back driving along the riverside. The sun tried to come out but made the photos look under exposed causing unusual colours. I was looking into the sun which didn’t help. The very low clouds were still floating around the bottom of the mountains.

Still driving along the riverside.

Still looking into the sun. The cloud is slowly lifting. 

Above and below the low clouds are still drifting around the mountains. 

We stopped to do one of the waterfall walks not too far from the road. This is called Thunder waterfall. Didn’t look much today but in the wet season I would imagine the water thundering down.

Climbing back up over the mountains. It doesn’t look like it here but the sudden drop beside me was a long way down. I stepped over the barrier to try and get more of the river in. PT was waving me back. As I said, it’s a along way down.

Continuing up over the hills. We are starting to get sun.

Another walk to the Fantail waterfalls. Again would be much better in the wet season. It looks a bit like a fantail.

Now we are on the other side of the mountains we are in full sun.

Now away from the river driving through  flat farmland. We are starting to see paddocks of cows and sheep.

We have now arrived to see the, what is named the Blue Pool. Really nice bush walk to get to i. 1.6km  both ways. Nearly 30mins walking each way. Beautiful walk through these big trees.

Then we came out into this space walking along a well formed path.

Then Poor PT we had to walk along a swing bridge. 

He doesn’t only hate gondolas but he hates swing bridges. But he made it.

Looking over to where the Blue Pool is, from the swing bridge.

Here we are standing on another swing bridge looking down over the Plue Pool. Just beautiful. One couple were swimming in it but they were making lots of loud noises as to how cold it was.

We have now walked back, really hot now. Sitting in the back of the van after our walk and made lunch and a coffee. Not many cafes would give you this view. Very well presented area specially developed into a big car pack especially for the Blue Pool walk. Very enjoyable.

Looking up the valley from the car park.

Down on more flat farmland.

I found one 😊

We have now found snow.

Continuing through the farmland.

Now have arrived at the top of Lake Wanaka.

Looking back the other way down Lake Wanaka.

Further on driving down the side of the lake we when down of the road and found this lovely area where one can do freedom camping.

Continuing driving down the side of the lake. Just a great sight.

Now we have left the side of lake Wanaka and crossed over to Lake Hawea. Beautiful coming over the hill and seeing this view.

A closer view as we came down the hill.

Above and below we started our drive down the side of Lake Hawea. Beautiful reflections.

Driving down towards the bottom of the lake. Just another magic day.

Now settled into the Wanaka Top 10 Holiday park for at least two nights.

As we had come via the supermarket we quickly unpacked the shopping and raced down to the lounge to watch the America’s Cup races. Another great day of so much contrast. Lots of fun. A day around Wanaka tomorrow. ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️