The MOTOR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 138, 7 December 1929, Page 28

The MOTOR

LIGHTING-UP, TIMES

Sunday ..„ 8 .14 p.m. Monday ......,.„, : . 8.15 p.m. Tuesday 8 .16 p.m. Wednesday „...„ 8.17 p.m. Thursdajr „..«,.... 8.18 p.m. Xriday '.»„.„.,..„ 8.18 p.m. Saturday ".„.,...... 8.19 p.m.

WITH TENT AND CAR

: CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH

A STRENUOUS BOUND TRIP

By "Trip.'? (All Rights Reserved.

If it were possible for everyone to fcave a lengthy holiday each year people would wander leisurely afield, oamping in the places they liked best, •nd there -would be no need to make long distances in order to see as much as possible in the shortest time. Unfortunately, such ideal holiday eonaitions are attainable by very few, and

the great majority must be content ■with a brief holiday each year. Natlifalry. enough, motor-campers with pnly a short time of freedom like to pack into the few days or weeks as many experiences as they' can, and round trips are popular, no'matter how strenuous the going. • Queries -received show that there is A definite desire for the hurried tour which embraces as much as possible of either Island, and although there are : jjerhaps "few sufficiently enthuiastic to want to cover everything in ten days, aa did. one correspondent, there are many who do not mind hard going over roads that constantly -provide changing scenery; It is for these that this article is principally designed. It is easy.to say that it'is far better to go a short distance, and see only one or two places; circumstances sometimes make this inadvisable, though, if one is Certain of taking a motor-camping holiday each year, it is far more interesting _ and far more satisfying to see each. Island in sections. Hurried journeys such, as are outlined here are in-clined-to lead one back home with a confused impression of lake, mountains,; and bush, and inability to clear up'tho image and remember exactly "where and what were the things that ' proved most interesting. XIPTEEN HUNDRED MILE TOUK. A North Island reader asked if it %ould be possible in fourteen days to ivisit Qneenstown, Mount Cook, the IVanz, Josef Glacier, and tHe West Coast. It would be, but it would involve a .1700 miles journey over some pretty-steep and rough roads, and would leave very little time for stops en I suggested that it would perhaps be wiser to cut out the Franz Josef section, leaving 1500 miles to be covered. By travelling hard it is possible to cover.this ground in eight . flays, _leaving the balance of the time for visits to lake and mountain. The starting point does not greatly matter, for motorists anywhere can link up with this round trip, and make back to.the original starting point. Taking JDunedm a. a starting point, the first day'a run would be to Queenstown, a distance of 180 miles. Southland motorists, of course, would make up Jhrouglr Gore to Eae's Junction, and tnen' follow the main road through' Eoxburgh, Clyde, and Cromwell. Two days could be spent at Queenstown, or one day there and one at Lake'Wanaka, with Pembroke as headquarters. Then, follows the strenuous journey over the'Lindis Pass to Mount Cook: a distance of about 200 miles • (from Queenstown), and as the road is both steep;. ana winding a spell of a couple of days at Mount Cook would be very welcome. . - .The;next stage, from Mount Cook to llhristehurch, is the longest drive of any, being nearly 250 miles, but if aa early start were made it could be covered all right; the last stage, between Timaru and Christehureh, is easy going. From Christehureh to Greymouth is a fairly easy day, especially if the car be put on the train from Springfield to Otira. This is usually advisable, and often cheapest in the long zsuu .Horses are needed to pull cars tlirongh. some of the river crossings on this section, and the road over Arthur's Pass is now somewhat neglected and very steep and difficult for cars. THE EARTHQUAKE REGION. The. run from Greymouth to Murenison, on the road through Maruia, can be made quite easily in a day, the distance being about ,120 miles. The area will naturally attract many visitors this summer, for there is a fas- ■ cination in seeing the destruction wrought by the earthquake. After seeing the recently-formed lake, one can better understand the tremendous forces which have gone to the making ot other West Coast lakes, and also to such giants as Lake Waikaremoana. We i% New Zealand to-day have experienced earth movements that people in most countries have only read about; we have, in fact, seen geological history in the making. The pity of it has been the sad loss of life, and the terrific damage to property. It is awesome and saddening, but it is awe-in-, spiring too, and at least a day should S spent in .the vicinity of Murchison. v grom ITuTchisoa Jft Blenheim i§ 160

miles, and as the worst of the roads are over hy this stage, the journey Trill present no difficulties. Blenheim to Christchurch takes one over an entirely different class of country, and the road, especially in the -vicinity of Kaikoura, gives wonderful views of coast-line. This journey is a little over 200 miles, as is also the final stage between Christchureh and Duinedin. One ,day has been left in hand in case breakdown at any stage necessitates delay. This round trip is a decidedly strenuous one, and should be tackled only by experienced drivers who don't mind long days over hill roads. SHORTER ROXTND TRIP. A very much shorter and less strenuous journey can bo made by those in the southern portion of the South Island, this giving much more time for staying by the wayside. To anyone who wishes to.- see the lakes alone, it provides the ideal route. Taking Dunedin once again as a starting point, the first day's run would take one to Imtercargill, where there is a very well-situated, motor camp. From here make up through Lnmsden to Manapouri; this is .only about 100 miles, making quite an easy day. A few days can Be spent at Manaponri, and the run. made to Te Anau, which, of course, is the starting point for Milford Sound.

Although, there' is not time to wako that journey, the trip'to the head of the lake is worth doing, and. there are numerous excursions to be made to other places round about the lake.: To go on to Queenstown make back to Lumsden, and go on to Kingston, where the car can be put on the boat and taken to Queenstown. . After spending what time can be spared here, run on to Pembroke, stop at Lake Wanaka, and return through Cromwell, Clyde,. Eoxburgh, and Lawrence. An1 easy journey for those who make Christehureh their starting point/ and who wish to see the West Coast, is to go across to Greymouth, and then down through Hokitika to the Franz Josef spending some days there. The Nelson' Blenheim-Kaikoura trip makes the home round. This trip gives plenty of time to spend at places en route. ' " ■Readers desirous of further informaI tion about motor camping should "write ta "Trip," care Post Office Box 1178 Wellington, enclosing stamped and addressed envelope.