[Red Devil]

Has anyone stayed in Haast and if so, please can you recommend a hotel or motel.

Thanks

[Red Devil]

... all sorted, just booked in at McGuires Lodge in Haast itself for one night stopover en-route to Queenstown.

[Sam B]

From what I remember, there wasn't much there at all and it was vaguely depressing. But someone may feel this is unfair. We stopped for lunch and I think it may have been where you've booked. It was ok. Friendly waitress, food edible.

[Red Devil]

... like I say, it's only for a stopover whilst driving en-route from Greymouth to Queenstown... thanks for the information though :)

[DMcG]

Remember to fill up your tank!

It's a good distance from Haast to the next petrol station :D

Dougie

[Red Devil]

Thanks Dougie... we've 3 big days of driving down the West Coast... Nelson to Greymouth (approx. 290km) Greymouth to Haast (approx. 320km) and Haast to Queenstown (approx. 260km) not to mention Queenstown to Milford Sound... still, plenty of nice scenery to keep us occupied and in-car entertainment for our 5 year old :D

I'll need a holiday after our 3 week 'recce' trip :D

[dawn]

I think that's the place we stayed in last year, the rooms were very dark, but cosy and there's a restaurant next door, which does wholesome Kiwi food.

We wish we'd pushed on and spent the night someplace else, as all there was to do was watch tv!

[thezorbster]

Haast is a one horse town without a horse! Enjoy the Haast pass though - make sure you stop off at some of the waterfalls and little walks en route, including the incredibly bouncy swingbridge at the blue pools. Didn't think OH was going to make it across but our 5 yr old bounced along it with glee. Hope you enjoy your recce.

[DMcG]

Nelson to Greymouth (approx. 290km)
Take the Westport road and cut down the coast rather than the direct road to Greymouth (turn off at Inangahua junction). It's slightly longer, but it takes you through the Buller Gorge - which is beautiful and you can stop at Punakaiki to watch the blow holes.

Greymouth to Haast (approx. 320km)
The west coast road is very good - just be careful off the single lane bridges - especially ones with railway tracks :uhoh
You should make good time down the coast, but if you only have time for one glacier, stop at Fox Glacier. You can drive much closer to the glacier and it's only a short walk to get much closer to the terminal face.

Enjoy the trip - and watch out for giant sandflies :D

Dougie

[Red Devil]

... thanks again all for the info. We've got a few stops planned on our drive down to Haast, so we're literally going to land at the digs and crash out for the night... up for breakfast and head off to Queenstown (with a stop at Wanaka and anything else that grabs us).

Dougie... what wing span have these giant sandflies got? :D

[DMcG]

Dougie... what wing span have these giant sandflies got?

Pretty huge - there's a stuffed one hanging outside the bushmans centre in Pukekura (http://www.pukekura.co.nz/bushmans_centre/index.htm)
:laugh

Dougie