Haast - World Heritage Area
Haast is on the edge of wilderness - literally! It is a lost world that is so spectacular and remote it has been awarded the status of Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Area.
Between Hokitika & Haast
The drive down to Haast just gets more and more impressive with nature getting bigger and bolder as you go. Here are some suggestions:
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Stop at the Franz or Fox Glaciers to see these unique rivers of ice
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Take in the view at Knights Point, overlooking the coast
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Stop at Ships Creek for a great picnic spot and short walks.
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Just north of Haast stop at the Munro Beach Walk tand you might be lucky and see Fiordland Crested Penguins
Haast Township - 3.5 hours from Hokitika
Haast township offers a good place to stretch your legs. There are basic traveller services and a great DoC information centre here.
For the keen, try sea fishing, fly fishing, whitebaiting (in season), deer stalking, bird watching, tramping, nature walks, jet boat safaris, helicopter adventures and glacier flights.
Haast Pass - 4.5 hours from Hokitika
The Haast Highway is beautiful as it winds past bluffs and river flats.
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A must do photo stop is the Gates of Haast. The sheer gorge with its huge boulders was the most challenging sector of the Haast Highway. Just please don't stop on the bridge, there is a layaway you can use.
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Haast Pass is 563m above sea-level and is the lowest crossing point over the Southern Alps.
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One of the best short walks near the pass is the Blue Pools Walk. It is an easy walk to a series of crystal clear pools that have been carved out of the rocks by centuries of erosion.
More information on Haast