Another instalment in our Westward Ho series – this is the last one Westward Ho – Cameron Flat & Lake Hawea.
We wound up our stay at Fox Glacier and hit the road again. Click on our previous blog Westward Ho – Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.
Cameron Flat was our destination and as you can see on the map above, this was a slightly longer driving day than our previous Westward Ho travel days.
We had previously stayed and played for a while at Haast – check out our blog on the places we explored last time – A Heap to see in Haast.
We made a few stops along the way, namely the South Westland Salmon Farm at Paringa (quite a disappointing stop) and a morning tea/coffee stop at Haast.
Cameron Flat
If you think that Cameron Flat doesn’t sound familiar, then the nearby attraction will undoubtedly ring a few bells. Cameron Flat is the closest car park to enable visitors to wander the few kilometres to the Blue Pools. A very popular stop with travellers along this portion of SH6.
This was going to be our overnight stop for the night.
Cameron Flat Campsite
we were surrounded by the soaring snow-capped mountains of the Mt Aspiring National Park
DoC has been redeveloping this area over the past couple of years. On one side of the road is a large loop car park for the visitors to park up to walk to the Blue Pools. On the opposite side of the road is the Cameron Flat Campsite (NZMCA#8449). As with most DoC campsites, it is basic with a couple of covered eating areas and some long-drop toilets. It is $10pp per night but costs were covered by our DoC Annual Pass. No cellphone coverage and no dogs allowed.
our views out over Cameron Flat and the Makarora River
The last time we visited the Blue Pools, we made the trip down from Makarora while staying behind the Makarora Country Cafe (NZMCA # 8455). Check this out on our Makarora & Wanaka blog.
We positioned the caravan to maximise the best views over Cameron Flat. It was quite close to the road but there wasn’t to be much traffic, especially at night as freezing temperatures were forecast.
and the forecast was right – the frost in the morning made for some great ice graffiti
History
Cameron Flat’s namesake was Charles Cameron. He was one of the early explorers of the lower Haast Pass. Along with another famously known explorer Julius von Haast, they separately crossed much of this area. Their names and those of other explorers are immortalised in places in and around the vast Mt Aspiring National Park.
Blue Pools
As expected, the temperatures dropped to below freezing overnight. We wanted to do the walk to the Blue Pools before too many visitors started to arrive. Obviously, the number of travellers is well down from when we were here last time but it’s always good to get some good photo shots without having to navigate our way around other visitors.
Keep a watchful eye out for the signage – one for the carpark and the other for the campsite
As mentioned earlier, there has been some redevelopment going on, mainly to move the visitor’s carpark off SH6. I recall last time we drove through this area there was major congestion on the roadway. Vehicles of all sizes were trying to reverse out of parking bays into oncoming traffic. It was with some relief to see that they had removed the original parking area. This does mean though that the walk to and from the Blue Pools is a little longer. Approximately 1.5km one way.
Lovely Walk
It is an easy walk through mature beech and podocarp forest that lead to the crystal clear, pure glacial waters which are gathered from the mountains.
There are two swingbridges to navigate (not too onerous). Continue on a boardwalk to the second swing bridge, which is the viewing platform over the Blue Pools. Cross this bridge for great views up the river gorge.
There’s a limit to the number of people allowed on the swing bridges at any one time – be prepared to wait at each end if the numbers allowed have been reached.
the slippery bridge didn’t seem to deter Scotty but I seem to keep wanting to defy gravity!!
I am very relieved that my ‘drunk ice skater’ performance wasn’t caught on camera!!
Although I mentioned that it is an easy walk, that is if there isn’t a coating of ice on the walkway and bridges. I tiptoed my way around any signs of ice. The swing bridges were a little more challenging and I gave a good rendition of an ice skater after happy hour!
50 Shades of Grey
The Blue Pools are best enjoyed on a stunning sunny day. The light reflects off the deep blue of the glacier waters, giving off the deepest of blue hues. Well, both times that I have visited the Blue Pools, they have resembled 50 Shades of Grey.
the water kind of looks blue! It would be so much better on a sunny day
Hopefully the third time I stop off there, might be on a day more appropriate to fully enjoy the Blue Pools in all their glory.
yup, it certainly looks different shades of grey today
We didn’t have far to travel to get to our next destination of Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite (NZMCA#8464), 41km to be exact. After we had a hot coffee to warm us back up, we were back on the road.
Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite
We’ve only called into Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite for a cuppa, en route to Wanaka. We’ve always said that we’d be back to stay a night or two as it’s such a magical spot. It’s $10pp per night to stay but again, was covered by our annual DoC Pass. There’s a sheltered picnic area and currently have port-a-loos on site. Intermittent cell phone coverage and no dogs allowed. NB: the road in can be gated off and entry restricted during lambing season. Make sure to check the website before planning to stay.
something to keep in mind when staying here in the winter – you lose the sun really early in the day. Much of the campsite doesn’t even get the sun. We were camped to the far left where we had the longest sunshine hours – at least until 2.30 pm!
Located right on the banks of Lake Hawea, it is easy to see why it is such a popular holiday destination for campers. That is if they can make friends with the local sandfly community! In the summer, they make their presence felt but in the grips of winter, we didn’t have to worry about unwanted visitors.
We did also make sure to check the weather forecast as it is very exposed when the wind picks up.
in the mornings the frost level was well down to the lake – how amazing does this look?
The Road In
The entry road from SH6 to the campsite is approximately 7km. This passes through private farmland. It is narrow in places but we found that the surface is good with no tricky corners to navigate. Care would need to be taken in the busy summer months due to its popularity. Passing an oncoming vehicle would have its challenges in places.
The Art of Doing Nothing
We didn’t have anything planned for our 3 nights at Kidds Bush Reserve. We wandered the shoreline for a couple of kilometres before cutting back inland (some bush-bashing required) until we got back onto the farm roadway making our way back to basecamp.
our shoreline and ‘bush-bashing’ walk had us pop out on the farmer’s road before an easy walk back to camp. Fair to say that there were still plenty of ice-crusted plants along the way
There is a nice 1km loop nature walk that you can also wander along which takes you up the hill behind the campsite.
Apart from that small burst of energy, we just enjoyed a few games of cards, a few good books and just soaked up our tranquil and spectacular surroundings.
The beautiful ‘golden hour’. That time of the morning when the sun first hits the surrounding mountains
That’s a Wrap
This is our final instalment in our Westward Ho series. I hope you have enjoyed reading our Westward Ho – Cascade Flat & Lake Hawea blog and have inspired you to put them on your list of places to stay.
We thoroughly enjoyed our sojourn back down the West Coast and were delighted to find some treasures we missed out on last time.
Make sure you check out our previous blogs:
3. Westward Ho – Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Thanks Linda. It’s always a treat to read your adventures. I like the new Blue Pools track. It makes the stop more worthwhile somehow. Lovely photos but I had to make a hot chocolate to stop myself shivering 😆 .
Hahaha, a mulled wine would be more my style. L
Thanks Linda