Franz Josef to Wanaka
New Zealand Self Drive Travel Guide.

  Travel Facts
Distance: 287km (179 miles)
Approximately: 5 hours 45 minutes
Road Conditions: State Highway 6

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Franz Josef - Bruce Bay - Haast - Haast Pass - Wanaka

From Franz Josef it is a short 25 minute drive to the Fox Glacier passing thorugh steep rugged terrain and tall forests as we cross the Cook saddle before emerging onto the northern edge of the river flats formed by the Cook and Karangarua Rivers. Here the scenery is dominated by coastal forest and moutain peaks.

Franz Josef - Bruce Bay - Haast - Haast Pass - Wanaka

Bruce Bay, South Westland.

At Bruce Bay a short return to the rugged coast is dominated by the drift wood littered coast line, Rimu forest to the north and rows and rows of flax, before we head inland and begin the 40km drive to Lake Moeraki.

From Bruce Bay the road enters again the tall forests of South Westland as we follow the Mahitahi River with the views inland here reaching toward the distant peaks of the Hooker and Landsborough areas.

Crossing the Paringa River brings us briefly into open river flats before reaching Lake Paringa. Surrounded by forest Lake Paringa is a popular camping, picnic and swimming spot. From here it is a short winding journey to Lake Moeraki, which offers more of those prisitine scenic views and photo opportunites.

Just past Moeraki we reach the rugged South Westland coast again at Knights Point, here the road twists and turns around steep headlands and gullies as we move south toward the Haast River.

Haast River, single lane bridge. South Westland.

At Ship Cove there is an opportunity to experience what is said to be the best representation anywhere of a 100 million year old Mesozoic era forest swamp. The Kahikatea forest swamp lands here have been used to great commerical effect by many film makers and photographers, the walk takes approximately 20 minutes and is a perfect oppotunity to take a break and stretch your legs.

The short journey to Haast township continues through coastal forest and wind swept sand dunes before cutting slightly inland to cross the wide braided Haast river. The single lane bridge here is New Zealand's longest.

 

Franz Josef - Bruce Bay - Haast - Haast Pass - Wanaka

Jacksons Bay. South Westland.

The Visitor Center at Haast has good information on the many attractions around the region and short walks over the Pass route. There are one or two good cafés and a small supermarket in the township for food and drink.

 From Haast township it is approximately 60kms to the Pass and another 80kms to Wanaka. This is your last opportunity top the tank if needed before crossing the pass into the Otago Lakes District.

Franz Josef - Bruce Bay - Haast - Haast Pass - Wanaka

This is one of the best scenic journeys in New Zealand. With many walks, waterfalls and lookouts for photo opportunities along the way. Most are well sign posted and easily accessed from the highway.

Following the south bank of the Haast River from Haast township the road winds beneath towering steep forested slopes to where the Haast River meets the Landsborough, before turning sharply south for the pass summit.

At Pleasant Flat on a clear day there are awesome views to Mount Hooker and other peaks in the Hooker range, before crossing the Haast River. Just past the river crossing Thunder Creek Falls is a short walk through the forest that is well worth the time.

From here the highway climbs to the Gates of Haast, a narrow gorge where slips and huge boluders choke the river bed offering dramatic photo opportunities. Further on Fantail Falls is another of the short and rewarding walks on the northern side of the pass.

Haast Pass

At a low 560 metres the Hasst Pass is the lowest of the three main passes into the West Coast, and the only southern access between the east coast and west. On the western side the forest is full of Kamahi but at the summit itself, above the headwaters of the Haast River, Silver Beech take precedence.

The pass itself was well known too and used by Maori in the earliest days. The first european to see the area was one J.H. Baker in 1861, but the pass was named in honour of the Julius von Haast who crossed it to the West in 1863.

Used as a packhorse trail for many years after that first crossing, it was not until 1929 that work began on forming the highway between Hawea and Haast. A construction project that lasted another 36 years, finally completed in 1965.

Franz Josef - Bruce Bay - Haast - Haast Pass - Wanaka

From the summit of the pass the highway moves quickly into a more gentle and widening landsacpe as we follow the Makaroa River down the valley named for it, to the northern tip of Lake Wanaka.

There are many short walks and beautiful picnic/camping sites along the way, with a must see being the Blue Pools of Haast.

Just north of Makaroa the Blue Pools are deep glacier fed pools where the waters are azure and crystal clear. So clear that you can see right to the bottom and all those Brown trout appear to float in nothing.

The final leg of the journey from Makaroa to Wanaka winds up and along the north west edge of Lake Wanaka before crossing at theneck to follow the south western shore of Lake Hawea to the township where SH 6 turns south and the short drive to Albert town and Wanaka.

Early morning reflections at Lake Wanaka

There are a number of lookout points offering splendid views of the Lakes back dropped by the soaring peaks of New Zealands majestic Southern Alps along this section of the highway, slow down, enjoy the trip and your stay.

 

Welcome to Wanaka - enjoy your stay.

This Guide last Updated: February 2011