NZ 2009 - The Hollyford Track
Day 1 of the Hollyford Track made all 3 of us realise what a rain forest was really about! Our coach took our party of 16 to the start of the track crossing the Divide where we started the Routeburn. Immediatel we had gone from east to west the rain got harder as if a tap had been turned on! We all huddled into a tiny shelter and put on all the rain gear that we possessed in the vain hope that either it would keep us dry inside or the rain would stop. Neither happened and after 6 hours of walking we were all soaked to the skin although Ian claimed that his left foot was still dry - no-one checked!
The rain was heavy but according to our guides, hardly more than a shower! The stone paths became little rivers in their own right, the rivers became balancing acts on stones to get across, the swing bridges were exciting and often only for one person crossing. The waterfalls were fantastic, particularly Hidden Falls, which was a short muddy detour off the track and was quite frightening in its intensity from the sheer volume of water. The day was far from boring as we had frequent stops for our guides, Bard and Brendan, to explain about the forest and some of the early settlers and their exploits. Bard's favourite was Davey Gunn, "the greatest man that ever lived." The walking was easy but we would never have made it without the bridges and boardwalks. How the early settlers not only got through themselves but having set up grazing land drove their cattle through!
Pyke Lodge was a welcome sight and we had a warm welcome from the young staff running the lodge. Hot showers, a 3 course meal, wine and a convivial atmosphere and we felt human again.
Day 2 and it wasn't raining! The glaciers on the tops of nearby mountains started to appear and we rushed out from breakfast to photograph them. The weather got better and better and we had a magnificent day.
We walked to Lake Alabaster and got wonderful mirror views of the mountains beyond. Then to our Jet Boat which whisked us 45 mins along the river to the site of Jamestown. This was to be the provincial capital and port for trade to Australia but it never stood a chance as it is so difficult for any boat to cross the bar at the end of the spit and access the Hollyford River from the Tasman Sea. Then back to the Jet Boat and to the lodge at
Martin's Bay. It was so welcoming in such a beautiful spot and we had a wonderful evening of great food, drink and company.
The weather for day 3 was not quite so good but the events of that day were! We were first taken by Jet Boat to walk along the sand spit and dunes with a rough sea on one side and eventually the Hollyford River on the other. When we returned to the lodge for lunch, there was a small plane on the front lawn! After eating quickly we were on board and speeding along the gravel runway, into the air and a 15 minute flight into Milford Sound. Simply magnificent with the best possible view of NZ's number one tourist attraction. Our small
plane so close to the sheer cliffs that rise vertically from the sea. A wonderful climax to a walk which was not only magnificent for waht we saw but so informative due to our guide Bard.
The rain was heavy but according to our guides, hardly more than a shower! The stone paths became little rivers in their own right, the rivers became balancing acts on stones to get across, the swing bridges were exciting and often only for one person crossing. The waterfalls were fantastic, particularly Hidden Falls, which was a short muddy detour off the track and was quite frightening in its intensity from the sheer volume of water. The day was far from boring as we had frequent stops for our guides, Bard and Brendan, to explain about the forest and some of the early settlers and their exploits. Bard's favourite was Davey Gunn, "the greatest man that ever lived." The walking was easy but we would never have made it without the bridges and boardwalks. How the early settlers not only got through themselves but having set up grazing land drove their cattle through!
Pyke Lodge was a welcome sight and we had a warm welcome from the young staff running the lodge. Hot showers, a 3 course meal, wine and a convivial atmosphere and we felt human again.
Day 2 and it wasn't raining! The glaciers on the tops of nearby mountains started to appear and we rushed out from breakfast to photograph them. The weather got better and better and we had a magnificent day.
We walked to Lake Alabaster and got wonderful mirror views of the mountains beyond. Then to our Jet Boat which whisked us 45 mins along the river to the site of Jamestown. This was to be the provincial capital and port for trade to Australia but it never stood a chance as it is so difficult for any boat to cross the bar at the end of the spit and access the Hollyford River from the Tasman Sea. Then back to the Jet Boat and to the lodge at
Martin's Bay. It was so welcoming in such a beautiful spot and we had a wonderful evening of great food, drink and company.The weather for day 3 was not quite so good but the events of that day were! We were first taken by Jet Boat to walk along the sand spit and dunes with a rough sea on one side and eventually the Hollyford River on the other. When we returned to the lodge for lunch, there was a small plane on the front lawn! After eating quickly we were on board and speeding along the gravel runway, into the air and a 15 minute flight into Milford Sound. Simply magnificent with the best possible view of NZ's number one tourist attraction. Our small
plane so close to the sheer cliffs that rise vertically from the sea. A wonderful climax to a walk which was not only magnificent for waht we saw but so informative due to our guide Bard.
posted by Bob's Blog @ 8:45 PM
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