Lewis Pass Information:
The road through Lewis
Pass and the Lewis
River...
Through the
Lewis Pass..........trying for a trout..........
..................................................
(click on photo for closer look)
Some
informaton on the drive:
Milage
to/from Westport - Reefton - Hanmer Springs
46kms
from Westport Inangahua on Route #6
34kms on route 69 Reefton
45kms Reefton to Springs Junction (along the Inangahua River)
21kms to Maruia Springs
85kms Maruia to Hanmer Springs
You
will see the Victoria Forest Park to the east, Paparoa National Park on
the west of the road
and lake Sumner Forest Park to the South. This should give you an idea
of the country you are in.
There is very limited road access into all of this.
What
can I say? Look at the photos above. Paula says it is as close to
walking a wilderness track as you can come
just driving along a major road.
We enjoy driving from east to west. it just seems to get better as we
go along ending up in Reefton. Two places you can
stop. First is just past the Lewis Pass is:
(if
you didn't stop at Hanmer) where a Japanese theme is apparent with
a Japanese bathhouses and traditional Utasyu massage. Ensuite rooms
available also along with a fine dining experience
with Japanese dishes at the restaurant,Shuzan. Bookings essential by
the way.
They also now have places for parking
camper vans.
There are several places along the way where you can park overnight
and/or just take a rest. The DoC Camp at Marble Mountain is
spacious plus is the starting point for a trek to Lake Daniels for the
trampers/hikers. There is a palce marker there for you will will
be right on the Alpine fault Line!!! Hope it doesn't shift if you are
there!!
Next place along the road will be Springs Junction where you can stop
at the cafe and fuel is available. It is at the junction of Route 7
and Route 65. be sure to stay on Route 7 through th Victoria Forest
Park. The road follows the Inangahuna River at this point.
Lots of trout in the river if you would like to try your luck.
Next stop is Reefton. Just before reaching Reefton you pass by a small
place called Blacks Point. Interesting crafts here plus
places to investigate the old gold mining areas and a small museum well
worth stopping to see.
Now
on to Reefton one of our favourite towns. Allow some time to explore
here.
Some
information websites:
Lewis
Pass Information
Lewis
Pass Information
If
you need to get in touch with Ron or Paula
(or Sylvester and Chocolate):
© Copyright
2005
Ron Laughlin - All rights reserved
