Today, Sunday 10th April, we planned to do a day trip to Arthur's Pass, which crosses the Southern Alps from the west to east. When I saw the day had dawned somewhat cloudy with hidden mountaintops I was somewhat nervous as to driving there. But nonetheless, intrepid travellers that we are, we set off. As we drove further into the Pass the clouds lifted and we ended up with beautiful blue sky and sunshine. Once we left the flat coastal region and started driving in the mountains our surroundings became spectacular. We stopped for a coffee break at the famous old Jackson's Hotel (est. 1863)
The Otira viaduct has made what was once a difficult part of the road much safer and easier
and a rock shelter has been built to save the road from falling rocks and debris, together with a diverted waterfall
We spent a little time in Arthur's Pass village, and had every intention of walking one of the short tracks but it was very cold there with a strong icy wind blowing.
It was quite a long drive there and back so after we arrived back in Hokitika we went for a walk along the river estuary and beach.
Saturday 9th April we drove from Franz Josef to Hokitika, further up the west coast. It was only a shortish drive and we arrived at our destination before midday. It was a spectacular drive with high bush and forest on one side and the most beautiful beaches and offshore rocky islands on the other.
During the afternoon we took a drive to the Hokitika Gorge with the swing bridge, allegedly one of the most famous views in New Zealand
The river was amazingly blue due to the mineral content of the glacier fed water, even though the sky was a dismal grey.
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