Franz Josef to Wanaka and all the bits in between...

May 2012

Coming soon but here's a pic to give you an idea! Met two lovely ladies in Franz Josef and they were my bus buddies through to Queenstown!

- Sherin x

Robert’s Point

Robert’s Point, Franz Josef

I decided to spend an extra day in Franz Josef and do a hike. Most of my friends were heading to the next town on the bus so we parted ways for the time being. I asked Ben, the guide from the kayaking trip yesterday on any recommended walks and he mentioned that Rob’s Point was a great hike. I looked into this and decided to give it a go.

I got a shuttle to the car park and the driver gave me some safety information. The hike should take 5 hours and so I booked a return shuttle for 5pm believing that to be plenty of time. Oh, was I mistaken! I was expecting the path to stay consistent but it got very rough and VERY uneven and I even had to climb a little. It felt more like tramping in some sense. I had the correct walking shoes, plenty of water and food so I was okay. I got lost a couple of times but with a little common sense (i.e don't keep going, back track and find the way or if not, go back to where you started), I made it to the top! It took slightly longer than expected as I had stopped a few times to take pictures and take in the place, and if I’m being honest, I’m not the strongest uphill climber! 

Starting out... looks ok so far!

Peter's Pool.

 One of the scenic stops right at the start was Peter’s Pool. A kind of bog that reflects the gorgeous mountain peaks and was named after a 9 year old boy who went camping there a long, long time ago. It's my understanding that these pools become so reflective due to the amount of decomposing plants that make the water stagnant and dark in colour and therefore, reflective. Not quite sure I explained that one all that well but I ain't no scientist! ;)

Rob's Point track from this point on! Be prepared!

Waterfall across the river.

The hike consisted of 3 swing bridges (not a fan, given my slight fear of heights!), numerous creeks to cross and lots of rocky uneven terrain.

One of THREE swing bridges! eek!

Crossing a creek. One of many.

Crappy pic but I really like this narrow little path!

Uneven and steep!

One of the most challenging bits for me was the narrow man-made walk way along the side of the mountain. Wow, no one told me about that!!! I do have a fear of heights but I have some kind of control over it. I just took a deep breath and didn't look down. I even recorded it on camera so I can see what I had accomplished and maybe missed out on as I was just looking at my destination the whole time!

Eek!

Nearly there! About 30 mins-ish from the top.

Some waterfalls along the way.

The top of the hike was amazing and felt very rewarding. I could see from the top, the helicopters going to and from the glacier with the heli-hike tours and I can take in just how immense and grand this glacier is.

Views from the top!

Now, the hike up was all fine, the harrowing part came when I realised the time and after sitting at the top having my lunch I knew I wasn’t going to make the 5pm shuttle. The lady said not to worry if that happens as there will be one at 6pm and that if I don’t turn up for that they will consider me search and rescue. I started hiking back down (I say down but it was up and down and each time it started going up my legs were aching tremendously!) and managed to get to the shuttle at 5.55pm!

This was taken long before the dredded walk back!

All was well and I can honestly say I have never power walked like that ever before!  I feel a sense of accomplishment for having done this and the views were gorgeous but let’s just say I’ve checked that off my bucket list and I shall not do a hike like that alone again! ;)

-Sherin x

Franz Josef Glacier Helihike and Kayaking

Franz Josef

One of my favourite stops on this trip was seeing the Franz Josef Glacier.

From the Poo Pub to Franz Josef:

So after a very fun night the night before (we had quite a thunderstorm outside whilst we partied at the pub), the weather cleared up to a better day than the last few. We were told it would be all good for hiking the glacier the next day which we were all very relieved. I had it in mind to stay an extra day or two at Franz Josef as I wanted to take it all in and I was finding the itinerary on the bus very intense and tight. Anyway, we left the Poo Pub and after a short drive we stopped over at a quirky looking place called the Bushman Centre. Upon arrival, Cam, our driver told us about how the local people used to catch deers from helicopters and this place was a little museum for checking this out as well as an opportunity to see some wildlife including deer, goats and possums. Most of us were pretty hungover from the night before and hungry so we made use of the cafe instead and it’s quirky hunting decor. I looked pretty much like a log cabin and had lots of stuffed heads and quirky signs and memorabilia about the place. If I remember right, Billy Connolly had visited this place and his picture was up on the wall somewhere.

The weather was still pretty ambiguous when we arrived at Franz Josef. We were taken to the Glacier Guide office to book our Heli-hike for the next day and I also booked myself for a kayaking trip after the hike. Yup, I had a busy day the next day!

Gorgeous morning in Franz Josef!

Ready for the heli-hike!

The next day was one of my favourites! The heli-hike had us completely geared up, instructed and ready for jumping on the helicopter by mid-morning. The weather was amazing and full of sun and blue skies.

Will, our guide pick-axing the way round.

Our guide Will, took us around the Glacier and we were up there for a good couple of hours. Lots of squeezing and climbing around the place  and all very worth the effort. Will told us about a rock fall that occurred when he was new to the job and the ever-changing look of the glacier. He also explained to about the blue ice and what has been happening to the area over time.

Me and Freddy.

The heli-hike is the only option for going on the glacier with them now as the front part has currently got a hole in it and has been deemed to dangerous. Personally, I think the heli-hike was worth every cent! The views from the helicopter was stunning and you have more time on the “good part” of the ice. 

Get yer cramp-ons on!

That afternoon, I also went kayaking at Lake Mapourika. We had a very enthusiastic and happy go lucky guide by the name of Ben. From America, he said he came travelling around the country, got stuck at Franz Josef and never left! I don't blame him, it's so beautiful. The lake is known for its dark colour and how it has a reflective quality to it. It was very cool kayaking through the little nooks (I’m a very bad kayaker, any tips welcome!) and the view of the mountains was the highlight of this excursion. Ben also told us a little story about the kiwi birds and how they came to be as the forest surrounding this place is known to inhabit some. We also tried some of the local leaves that had a hot chilli quality to them.

My friend Frida was like Speedy Gonzales on a kayak!

Got a bit misty.

We left as the sun set and headed back to the Rainforest Retreat and ...to the bar once more! :D

We relaxed in the Monsoon Bar at the Rainforest Retreat, which I must say had to be one of my favourite places we stayed at and favourite bar! So homey and I do love a log fire. I was glued to that sofa and enjoyed a night with my new friends and watching some of them play the bar games on offer.

The Monsoon Bar and amazingly cosy fireplace.

Freddy tucking in to some good pub grub!

The Rainforest Retreat

Franz Josef was one of my favourite places in New Zealand. It's a very tiny town, consists basically of two parallel roads but its beauty and isolation is what makes it for me. So unique and a very good place to go for the adventurous of us who like hiking and a bit if nature. My next post shall be about the hike (yup, another one!) I did the next day.

-Sherin x