Alexandra and Haast

Everyone headed off in different directions on Sunday, with David and family opting for Oamaru, and Dean and Nodoka going towards Milford Sound. We decided to take the middle course to Alexandra. It was a typical sunny, crisp winter’s day there, and we even managed lunch outside.

We planned to stay three nights, and move slowly around Central Otago for a while, but left after two nights. This was because we decided to meet up with Chris and Ellison in Motueka later in the week to explore the Golden Bay Area. 

We met Dean and Nodoka for a coffee in Cromwell, on their way to Mount Cook, before stopping in Lake Hawea for lunch.

The scenery on the drive around first Lake Hawea, and then Lake Wanaka, was awesome.

And it was pretty good through the Haast Pass too.

Lots of one lane bridges, and a couple of places where half of the road had fallen down the cliff, but overall an easy and pleasant journey. We parked up, for the cost of a donation to St. John, beside a gift shop in Haast township. We knew we had reached the Coast when we visited the local, the Hard Antler cafe and bar.