Trip leaders: Robert & Barry
Thursday
Several of the seven vehicles departed Christchurch early to get-in some photography along the way to Hanmer Springs, and around the area. Darren and Jill explored Dog Stream Waterfall, a 1.5-hour walk, while others went to Squirrel Lake to capture Coots feeding their chicks. The start of the tour began with a group evening meal at the Monteiths Brewery Bar before staying overnight at the Alpine Adventure Holiday Park.
Friday
We woke to a major change to the weather. The clouds hung low and heavy, making the choice of where to stop to take photos a challenge. Nevertheless, misty valley views with the road following rocky streams made for some fantastic photography. With lots of golden grassed crimpled hills with low mist, what’s not to like? Considering the weather was a little wet, some of my favourite shots are from this morning. What was interesting is that the Willow colours had started to turn. The yellow tinged, lime green foliage was foreground to the golden hills – very disconcerting to see the non-summer already over! The wet weather made the crossing of the fords an experience – though they were not frighteningly deep. At one point, we had the fun of photographing a group of motorcyclists splashing through the water. Throughout the trip, wildling pines could be seen in various areas, they’re a massive problem and not easy to address, as told by one of the locals we were lucky enough to encounter at one of the many gate openings. Along route we popped in and out of the car for plenty of wide vista landscape images. Trying to get an image without power lines could be challenging at times. In addition to the impressive valley and mountain vistas there were varieties of beehives – from naturally coloured wood to painted teals, greens and blues, and some old buildings – including original cob cottages.
At Molesworth Cob Cottage Campground, some of the group were witnesses to a murder! Two Karearea made an attack on a nest in a Poplar. One of the Falcons posed on a nearby branch as it gorged on a chick. Though gruesome, we could capture “Nature, red in tooth and claw” in close proximity. Our accommodation for the evening was at Muller Station, where very comfortable accommodation provided a much-needed rest.
Saturday
Saturday involved a leisurely 8.30am departure from Muller Station. From here we all headed towards Blenheim on the Awatere Vally Road. Cars and photographers stopped at spots along the way as photographic vistas or subjects showed up. Sometimes we connected up and other times we were on our own in individual cars. We had decided to meet at Black Birch Road at 11.00am to climb 1693 metres up to Mt Altimarloch in the Ferny Gair Conservation Area. This provided fantastic views over Marlborough. The alpine plants and butterflies provided for plenty of opportunity for macro and telephoto photography. Many of us took the opportunity to have lunch on the tops. This part of the trip was a certainly a highlight. After Mt Altimarloch, we individually headed into Blenheim for the night. Andrea and James had a quick trip to Cloudy Bay for a cheeky wine, while others stopped at Taylor Dam to search for birdlife. Everyone met up for dinner at the Dobson St Beer Garden before an early night at Blenheim Bridges Holiday Park.
Sunday
The group decided that in order to catch the favourable morning light on the Rainbow Road, a 5.30 am departure would be needed to reach the toll gate by its 7.30am opening time. From Blenheim to the upper Wairau Valley, it was still dark so there was not a lot to see of the vineyards, but on reaching the Rainbow Road turnoff it was 6.45am – light enough for a nice morning drive through bush corridors and scattered clearings with sheep grazing. We arrived on time and duly filled in the forms required of all drivers, paid the toll charge, and bought some honey-dew honey. The caretakers handed out some free products and we were invited in for a look at the old cob house where we had a group photo taken of us all leaning over the back fence. Meeting the caretakers and getting an insight into the history of the old place added to the trip. Although bordering on a frost at the former accommodation house, the day was off to a great start. From the toll gate we travelled south over river flats used for grazing flanked by steep slopes, over the Wairau River and through Hells Gate. Beyond that the country changes to open alpine slopes and high rugged peaks along with the twin high tension power lines servicing the Northern South Island being ever present. After crossing the Wairau, we ascended to the Molesworth boundary gate and then down to and over the Wairau again to Sedgemere Lake. From there we crossed Island Saddle on the Crimea Range the highest publicly used road in NZ (1,371 m asl), a short diversion to Lake Tennyson and then along the Clarence Valley floor to the St James buildings and finally back over Jacks Pass to Hanmer, our starting point 3 days before. A day packed with changing vistas and photo opportunities.
Report Authors: Jill Main, James & Andrea Thompson, Barry Dench
