Driving to Haast

 

Viewpoint on Lake Wanaka

The next morning we drove north towards Haast on the west coast of the island.  We drove along two large lakes, Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and then up over the Haast Pass.  This was reputed blue duck and and rock wren territory so we stopped at every river pullout to check but no luck.

No blue ducks at the Blue River

We hiked into the Blue Pools on the Blue River through really beautiful red beach forest

So did every other tourist driving over the Haast Pass.

Really big tree ferns.

 

Saw this bush with unusual blue berries:

We crossed the suspension bridge

and arrived at the ponds.

The pools were really really blue.  There were lots of people swimming in the pools despite the picture above.  On the way back a woman spotted a rifleman

Actually a riflewoman (female)

And we got some great closeup views.

Further down the road was a trail to Thunder Creek Falls.

And later we stopped at the Haast River to check out Roaring Billy Falls.

We were so unimpressed we didn't take a picture, but the Haast River was quite beautiful.

A tour boat on the Haast River near Rocking Billy Falls

Shortly thereafter we arrived at Haast and checked into the Haast Lodge, a combination rv park, motel and hostel.  We did our laundry and hung out in the kitchen/lounge that was housed in a huge barn like structure.

Later we walked through town (very small) and 

Fun times in Haast

partway down the Kokako track through another beautiful beech forest.

On the Kokako Track

We came along a mixed flock of sivereyes, gray gerigones, fantails and at least one rifleman.

Silvereye