The Gates of Haast

Cromwell to The West Coast

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April 7th 2008
The trip from Wanaka to Franz Josef initially follows Lake Wanaka towards the west, then Lake Hawea and after leaving that lake starts to climb steadily towards Haast Pass. The only village along the way is Makarora and also the only place for petrol for quite some kilometers. I was keen to see Makarora again as I had memories of being stranded there one time when I was in my 20's hitch hikin ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast » Franz Josef

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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year... ... read more