Archive for January, 2009
Matukituki Valley, New Zealand
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
One of my many favourite parts of New Zealand is the Matukituki Valley, located near Wanaka in the south island. Apart from a gravel road and some sheep farms lower down, there is no development up this spectacular valley which curves towards the Matterhorn-like Mt Aspiring. Just rugged snow capped mountains, a sparkling crystal clear river, and enough serenity to help with appreciating it.
Most visitors to New Zealand get to glimpse the bottom end of the Matukituki Valley, which is visible across the lake from Wanaka. Skiers who leave the main trails at the Treble Cone ski area can get a good view up this valley, which is how I first became aware of it - and tempted by its allure.
When I next returned to the area with a hire car, I set out to discover what I’d admired from afar. After the ski area turn-off the road turns to gravel, but is of a good standard. The only hiccup could be where the road fords a few small creeks - fine most of the year, but high water levels during the spring melt could occasionally be an obstacle. Even if this is the case, travelling as far as the first ford is still a worthwhile excursion.
As I cruised up the valley, sheep paddocks gave way to increasing amounts of beech forest. Changing vistas of untamed river, forest, snow-capped mountains and glaciers made the drive delightfully scenic and memorable.
Some great hikes can be accessed from the road’s end, which mean the road is well travelled by hikers in the warmer months. But if you visit in winter, as I did, you might share the valley with very few others. Hikers are scarce in winter due to the weather and avalanche risk, and it’s the non-fishing season, so solitude and a tangible sense of being in a wilderness can be enjoyed.
That’s what I did … I just chilled out by the river, soaking up the unblemished scenery and sense of wilderness, and pondering which walks I might do on my next visit to the Matukituki Valley.
Links:
NZ Department of Conservation - Matukituki Valley info
Google map of Matukituki Valley location
Topics: Attractions, New Zealand (south) | Add Your Comment »
Elephant Rocks, WA
Monday, January 26th, 2009Having visited Elephant Rocks in New Zealand, I was keen to also check out Elephant Rocks in Western Australia to compare them, and see which ones look most like elephants.
Western Australia’s version are on the south coast at William Bay National Park, just west of the town of Denmark. Eroded from granite, they sit on the beach and in the shallow waters of a quiet sheltered bay. From some angles, some of them do in fact look a bit like elephants as viewed from the rear, minus the legs and other appendages. Whatever they look like, they provide a pleasant and distinctive backdrop to a beautiful swimming area, and are well worth visiting together with nearby Green’s Pool.
The resemblance to elephants is where the similarity with their NZ counterparts ends. The WA version have different geological origins, are coastal rather than inland, and have never formed part of a film set. On a warm summer day the WA rocks can become crowded with sightseers and swimmers, as they were when I visited last week.
As to which Elephant Rocks most resemble elephants, I’d have to give my vote to the WA version, but in both cases the imagination needs to be exercised.
For the record, three other formations named “Elephant Rocks” which I’m aware of, but will probably never visit, are at:
- Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri, USA
- Elephant Rocks Municipal Golf Course, Williams, Arizona, USA
- Elephant Rocks, off Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula
The first two are named after rocks which resemble elephants, and the third is a habitat for elephant seals.
Links:
Google map showing Elephant Rocks (WA) location
Elephant Rocks & Elephant Cove - from Rainbow Coast website (great photos)
Topics: Attractions, Western Australia | Add Your Comment »
Elephant Rocks, NZ
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Having once studied geology, interesting rock formations often find their way into my travel itinerary. Elephant Rocks in New Zealand was no exception … plus I wanted to see if they really look like elephants.
Elephant Rocks is a collection of weathered limestone outcrops tucked away on a farm near Duntroon on the south island. From this tiny town - inland from Oamaru, north of Dunedin - it is a short but picturesque drive through farmland, following the discrete signposting. It is easy to miss the parking area, being just a little space at the side of the road to pull over, with only a sign and fence crossing to distinguish it from any other sheep paddock.
A brief stroll across a paddock brings you to the rocks themselves - scattered artistically around a gentle hillside. Taking time to wander among them is the best way to appreciate the unique rounded shapes, some of which do resemble elephants if a little imagination is used.
Some parts may look familiar to viewers of the film “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” - the scenes of Aslan’s camp were filmed here. Unlike other film landscapes in New Zealand, you’ll probably share this one with just a few sheep. Being off the tourist routes seems to keeps the crowds away.
Even if you don’t recognise any elephants, and haven’t seen the film, a visit to Elephant Rocks is still a worthwhile detour for anyone with their own transport - especially if you like rocks.
Links:
More info and photos - Vanished World Centre
Google map showing Elephant Rocks (NZ) location
Topics: Attractions, New Zealand (south) | Add Your Comment »
Lane Poole Falls
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009Western Australia may not be known for big waterfalls, but size isn’t everything! Some of our modest falls can be truly gorgeous after seasonal rains, with relative isolation and lack of crowds more than compensating for size.
Lane Poole Falls, WA
A lovely example is Lane Poole Falls, near Northcliffe in the southwest corner of Western Australia. It is best visited in winter or spring, when rains have produced a decent flow in the Canterbury River and conditions are better for bushwalking. The falls dwindle to just a trickle in the dryness of summer.
Reaching the falls is not hard, but not straightforward either. From the tiny town of Northcliffe - which even some locals consider “out of the way” - it is an 18km drive, partly on gravel roads, through attractive farmland to the Boorara Tree car park and picnic area. This tree was once a fire lookout tower, and the display near it is worth a look.
From the car park it is then a 5km return walk to the falls, passing through pleasant native forest which hosts a smorgasbord of wildflowers in spring. The track starts out almost flat then descends to the falls, which I think are made more attractive by their seclusion; the access trail providing a buffer from “civilisation”. If you visit after good rains, the Lane Poole Falls thunder noisily over the 12m drop into the creekbed, in stark contrast to the peacefulness of the surrounding karri forest.
Bottom of falls
The length of the walk to the falls, the distance from town, and the fact it is not on the way to anywhere else all help keep the crowds away from Lane Poole Falls. Chances are good that you’ll have the place all to yourself. By contrast, Beedelup Falls near Pemberton can often be crowded, because they are only a short distance from a main road in a prime tourist area. Most Perth people I know, who have travelled, have been to Beedelup falls, whereas few I’ve met know of Lane Poole Falls. Most would find the extra effort worthwhile.
Links:
Google map showing location of Lane Poole Fall, WA
Topics: Waterfalls, Western Australia | Add Your Comment »