ZfromWinnipeg

This will be my sixth trip to New Zealand so I will not ask for itinerary advice. Suffice it to say I have learned to select a few central locations and stay longer at each. My new motto is do vacations at a leisurely pace. This trip will be for six weeks on South Island. I have seen all of the tourist sites so I plan to spent more time exploring smaller towns and villages. One of my planned stops is Haast Village for about 4 days and five nights. I hope to take day trips from Haast south along the coast to Jacksons Bay and the smaller towns along the way and possibly day trips to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Any comments on the merits of day trips to villages along the route to Jacksons Bay?

ZfromWinnipeg

Melnq8

We spent one night in Haast ages ago (2007) - we drove to Jackson's Bay and had hoped to hike a trail there, but it was winter and the trail was inaccessible due to damage.

If you're a walker (and I hope you are if you're staying five nights!) this info might be of help:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/par...onal-walks.pdf

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/par...y-brochure.pdf

http://www.newzealand.com/int/haast/

There are also some hiking opportunities near Makarora as well as a jet boat operation.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/par...n-brochure.pdf

I pulled up my trip report from our overnight in Haast and have posted it below, on the off chance it gives you any ideas:

<<Our lodging –

McGuires Lodge - www.mcguireslodge.co.nz/ - $120 per night, studio unit

We were given #3, a very spacious unit with queen bed and two twins, a large bathroom and a kitchenette. The room was basic, but comfortable, clean and warm. The only problem we had was the shower, which leaked like crazy and flooded the bathroom when used.

I’d read good reviews about the meals at McGuires, but at the time of our visit the café was closed and the lodge was hosting a two course set menu for the locals. We were invited to attend, but we’d had a big lunch, so we took a pass. Instead we chose to sit on a bench outside the tiny Haast grocery store where we indulged in a Magnum bar (no Tip Top available!).

We toyed with the idea of staying multiple nights in Haast so we could explore the walks in the area, but we thought better of it and just stayed overnight.

It was bound to happen, the following day we woke to torrential rain. We were curious about Jackson Bay, and although the woman working in reception told us it would be a waste of time in this weather, we soon found ourselves on Jackson Bay Road. We stopped at Hapuka Estuary and took the 20 minute return walk through the swamp and rainforest. This is a nice boardwalk, with information boards explaining the birds, trees and whitebait found in the area.

We continued down flat, straight, Jackson Bay Road, intrigued by the scads of permanently bent trees. We eventually found ourselves at the end of the road in tiny Jackson Bay, a really pretty area, despite the rain. We sought out the Wharekai Te Kau track, which looked like a nice one, but was unfortunately closed due to track damage.

We backtracked to Haast where we found the most expensive gas of the trip - $1.75 per liter. You know you’re in trouble when they don’t even bother to post the price!

We then left Haast, continuing our drive south on SH 6. As we entered Mt Aspiring National Park, we could barely see the snow capped peaks rising above us, socked in by low lying clouds. The rain continued, but there were many waterfalls. We crossed Haast Pass and found it was completely dry on the other side and the sun was doing it’s best to break free from the clouds. Walking opportunities are plentiful here with tracks ranging from 20 minutes to several hours.>>

ZfromWinnipeg

Thanks, this will be helpful. ZFromWinnipeg

tasmangirl

Many many sandflies...take insect repellent. We camped at Bruce Bay many years ago and when I woke up in the morning my face was an unrecognisable mess of lumpy bites.
Awesome area if you like to get away from it all.
What time of year is this? The road can be closed in the winter.

ZfromWinnipeg

It will be February 2018