climbing & travelling guide new zealand - kvfl.com · queenstown, wanaka and other places;...

Climbing & Travelling Guide

New Zealand

Copyright by: Mag. Gerhard Schaar

9854 Malta Nr.147, Austria; Contact:

[email protected] www.gerhardschaar.com

Climbing & Travelling Guide New Zealand

© Copyright by www.gerhardschaar.com Seite 2

Introduction This climbing and travelling guide is thought to be for climbers who travel to New Zealand the first time, and for those who have already been to the Kiwis but didn´t get a good overview of all the climbing possibilities. I do only publish my own experiences and all stuff I think that would help people to get around. This not a complete travelling guide and neither a complete guidebook. Therefore I recommend to buy a travelling guide which is up to date and a real climbing guidebook. But still my guide contains important information that could help you planing your trip, getting organized, saving money and troubles. I hope everyone appreciates my guide and I would be glad to receive some feedback. If you feel there should be things added to the guide, or if you have been to a new climbing area you have good information about and nice pictures, feel free to send me an e-mail. Gerhard Schaar Aukland, May 2006

The following climbing and travelling guides can be downloaded from www.gerhardschaar.com:

• Hampi - India

• Badami & Bangalore - India • Thailand (Ton Sai, Railey)

• Yosemite Valley

Cover: Gerhard Schaar soloing „the Cyclops Boulder, 16, Spittl Hill;



General information

Best time to go: For climbing it is probably October to March. It will be too hot for Bouldering in Castle Hill though at that time. So if you come for bouldering only come from March to October (in the KIWI winter!). For mountaineering it is definitely the KIWI summer, which is October to March. Currency: New Zealand Dollar $ Exchange rate: May 2006 1 € = 0,56.- NZL $ Time difference: 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and 11 hours of Central Europe. The time difference to Australia is 2 hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. Plug in: The Kiwis and the Aussies have a different plug in shape as the US and Europe. Adaptors can be bought in all electronical shops. I made the experience that two adapters are necessary, justthink of all the devices you have to charge and use (cell phone, digital camera, video camera, laptop,..) Health Insurance: In New Zealand you are covered with ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) even when you are a tourist. That means that if you have an accident you are not charged for medical treatment. If you are just sick all expenses for visiting the doctor or a hospital have to be covered by yourself. Therefore checkout if you want to have an extra travel – health insurance. Credit Cards / ATM Card: All major Credit Cards are accepted, also MAESTRO for Euro travellers. I suggest the VISA card, as it covers lots of insurance stuff for every first 90 days in a country you travel to (Master Card and American Express do not do that, they cover only the first 6 weeks on the whole journey!!!)

How to get there Most flights to New Zealand, if you are from Europe, will lead you to Singapure and / or Australia. The travelling time will be from 24 – 36 hours. Checkout any ticket from your favourite airline. If you travel from Asia you might get really good deals in Bangkok (about 10 hours).

If you have to go through Australia, make sure you have an electronical Visa for Australia, so you can do the transfer through the airport without a problem.



Further you need a valid return ticket from New Zealand to another country, when you enter New Zealand. You must not come without such a ticket! Important!!! If this return ticket goes to Australia, you will also be asked for showing a valid return ticket out of Australia as well by the Australien officials, already when you do your transfer, originally going to New Zealand! So that means if you go to New Zealand via Australia, and you go back to Australia after being in New Zealand, you need to have two valid return tickets at the Australien airport: one from NZL to AUS, and another one out of AUS! You can stay in New Zealand with a tourist VISA for 90 days. In your VISA papers you have to mention your adress for the first nigfht. Choose one of the Backpackers below! Important!!! If you come to New Zealand make sure you have cleaned your climbing and camping gear (especially tent) really carefully. There must be no mud or dirt on your items. At the airport you will be thouroughly checked, because the NZL government wants to protect the environment against foreign plants and animals (insects). You are not allowed to take any animal souvenirs with you such as snake skin, fur,… Further the drug policies are very strict. I have heard from a friend, who has a friend that were told by his friend, that you should through away all items that were in contact with dope or wheat, such as your old tobacco bag f. ex.. Also make sure you wash your clothes if you had a piece of it in there before flying to NZL.

Getting started If you are climbing and / or mountaineering you should fly into Christchurch. Take an Airport shuttles for NZL $ 5.- into Town to “Cathedral Square” or the Red Bus to the “Bus Exchange” for NZL $ 8.- There are many backpackers around the center, I recommend Charly B´s: Charlies B's Backpackers 268 Madras Street, Christchurch Phone/Fax: +64 3 379 8429 Reservations Freephone: 0800 224 222 or:

X base Christchurch 56 Cathedral Square Tel.: 0064 – 3 – 982 2225 www.basebackpackers.com

YHA Hostels: www.yha.co.nz [email protected] 0800 – 278 299 Arthurs Pass, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook, Nelson, Queenstown, Wanaka and other places;

Calling home: The “Go calling card” and “Kiwicall” were the cheapest I have found, 1 min to Austria was 4,1 NZ cent only.



Buying a car There are several ways to get to a car, probably depending on how much money you got. Since most climbers have quite tight a budget probably the cheaper options are to be recommended:

• Check out the Noticeboards of all the Backpacker places. You will find heaps of offers. Call the people, arrange a meeting and hopefully you find a decent car. This is what I did and I made a good deal!

• Look for cars or vans in the local paper like “trade and sell” (some are lucky)

Ifyou buy a car you might think about joining the AA (NZL Automobile Club), because it offers some Services you might want to have, especially car inspection before buying a vehicle, a check on hoe many owners the car had and how long they owned the car, emergency services,… For the AA look below please! Christchurch Backpacker Car Market There is a carmarket on the “Baddington Race Court” every Sunday. It starts at 9.00 a.m. and lasts until 12.00. You will have to pay a fee of 20.- $ to display your car (enables you to come back the next week for only 5.- $ if car is sold the first day), looking is for free. In the KIWI winter selling a car at this market will be very hard. For buying it is great, due to the great number of offers.

Small vans should be available from about 1.000.- $ on. Do not immedeately buy a vehicle, even it if might seem very cheap. Cars are soo much cheaper than f.ex. in Europe. For 2.000.- $ to 3.000.- $ you must get a really good car or van! So look at the market and bargain, you will save a lot of money! From May to September you can have snow up on the passes likes “Lee´s Pass” or Cadrona! So make sure you got good tires!!!

Car Insurance I got my car insurance within 5 minutes at the NAC Insurance. It was called « Jetsetter « , and it can be obtained for 3,6,9 or 12 months. After you bought your car just call 0800 – 501 508 or check outthe NAC website www.nac.co.nz. You will need your credit card number (Visa and Mastercard only), your car details : type of car, name of modell, adress is not needed (backpacker adress is ok !!!) The insurance payment is non refundable and not conveyable to new carholder! AA – Automobile Club: Works like similar Clubs in Europe, USA,… If you feel safer with the club´s services (towing, emergency service, car inspection if you want to buy a car,…) you should think of a membership. Check out www. aa.co.nz or visit directly the AA office in the center of CHC.



Car and Campervan rental The following companies offer good and cheap cars (no campervans!): http://www.acerentalcars.co.nz http://www.carrentals.net.nz http://www.ezy.co.nz There is a huge number of campervan rental companies. Find the best offer on your own! If you want to waste no time you can check the nearest rental places to the airport. There is one with “Maui” – “Britz” and “New Zealand Backpacker Vans” altogether at one place. Then you will find EZY, Thrifty and Hertz also right next to the airport.

Useful websites: www.britz.com/ www.wickedcampers.com.au/ www.tuicampers.co.nz www.spaceships.tv

www.keacampers.com/newzealand/ www.campervan.co.nz/ www.newzealandmotorhomes.com/

Supermarkets: The cheapest Supermarket is Packń Save. You´ll find one on Moorhouse Avenue and at Riccarton Road (direction Castle Hill). Warehouse: Here you find nearly everything, cheap clothes, camping gear, kitchen stuff,...

• 20 Buckleys Road Linwwod, 11-13 Winchcombe Street, 250 Linwood Ave

Outdoor and Climbing Shops in Christchurch: Bivouac / Outdoor: Colombo Street (resoling!) Mainland: in the pedestrian area

R & R Sport: Lichtfield Street Mountain Designs: Columbo Street Kathmandu: Lichtfield Street

What to do in Christchurch: Climbing Wall Christchurch: The Roxx Corner Waltham Road / Byron Street 03 – 377 3000 www.the roxx.co.nz attached: “clipń climb” climbing themepark

YMCA Climbing Wall Christchurch YMCA 12 Hereford Street PO Box 2004, Christchurch (03) 366 0689 http://www.ymcachch.org.nz

Queen Elizabeth II Sport Park – Swimming Pool: The QE Park has an awesome swimming pool with whirlpools (really hot!), steam sauna, regular sauna and swimming pool, everything for just 5.- NZL $!!! Café Brix: My favourite Café that has the same name like an old climbing mate back home in Austria. It is located on Colombo Street. The pastry stuff is sold for ½ price after 15.00 oćlock!!!



Having gear shipped If you can not take everything with you, and you need to have things shipped, this will save money, time and lots of nerves ☺. Please notice that the New Zealand government has strict rules on bringing goods into their country. The reason is to avoid environmental problems by animals, plants or any insects being imported by foreigners in their luggage. Therefore make sure if you have climbing and camping gear shipped:

• That all gear is really very clean your, inventory list is complete and that noone added items to your gear package back home after you have left (in case they could be questionable)

The procedure for receiving a package at Christchurch will be: You will get an information (just a letter) of the custom that your package might be picked up. With the letter, which will also contain a “freight / air bill” you will have to go to the “MAF” (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) at Pickering Drive (Christchurch). Here you will be asked if you bring any dangerous items with you or not, and you have to give them an inventory list. Therefore have one already printed out! Otherwise you will have to fill out a prepared form. With these papers you will have to go the customs at the airport, Orchard Road. Your papers will be finallized there, and then you can go to the cargo terminal of the airline that was bringing your goods in. As climbing gear is only used by you, and will not make any bussiness with it there will be no toll on the gear. Sending things home: If you need to send things home you can use the New Zealand Post Service. The “Economy” package coste NZ $ 150.- for 10 kg, and 250.- for 20 kg, if you send it to Europe. Economy to Europe takes about one month. Sending things to Australia: Most aAirlines will allow you to take only 25kg with you on a plane. Any kg more will cost you about NZ 15$!. So send it to your destination as “unattendet baggage” with Air Cargo. Bring your stuff to the airport 2 days before you fly. One kg of luggage will cost NZ $ 2,41.-, but expect NZ $ 70.- minimum charge. Further there is a NZ $ 33,75.- document fee and a NZ $ 30.- customs fee. So sending 30kg will cost about 150.- (if you send it to Australia f. ex.) Watch out! If you can not pick up your stuff immedeately at its destination noone else can do it for you! You will have to pay a storage fee of 0,30.- $ / kg! So make sure you pick up your stuff as soon as possible. A bouldering pad will cost up to NZ $ 60.- for taking it with you to Australia from New Zealand. So check it out before you go to the airport!



If you have a white gas fuel stove, make sure the fuel bottle is empty, cleaned and does not smell of gas. I had to wash mine and bring it back the next day, after having it thouroughly dried for many hours. Camping stove & fuel bottle: I had greattroubles taking my camping stove with me leaving New Zealand. My experience might help you to avoid problems, if you stick to the following guidelines:

- wash your camping stove thouroughly and let it dry for a few hours in the sun - wrap the stove in toilet paper, put it in a plastic bag and wrap tape around it - empty your fuel bottle, wash it until it is nearly free of any smell - dry your fuel bottle in the sun for a few hours - put back the cap of the fuel bottle wrap it in toilet paper, then wrap it inside a plastic

bag, wrap tape around it

Bouldering in Castle Hill Go from Christchurch within 1 ½ hour to Castle Hill. There are 4 main areas: Spittl Hill and Quantum Field. Then another 5km´s further there are Flock Hill and Dry Valley. Springfield: On your way to Castle hill you will pass Springfield. I really recommend the “Springfield Café & Store”. They have an awesome coffee and good scones and rolls. Further they also climbing guidebooks (at the time I was there the Spittl Hill guide and a general Rock Climbing book) and chalk (Metolius and Franklin Chalk) for a good price. Youth Hostel in Springfield: If you do not want to stay up in Castle Hill (elevation 800m, so it gets really cold in the night in the time from April to October!), you can drive down to Springfield (20 minutes) and stay at the Youth Hostel (directly in town, on the Main West Coast Road). For reservations call: 03 – 318 47 40 (22.- - 35.- $ per night) Cragieburn Recreation Shelter: A simple shelter canbe found at the Cragieburn Recreation Area. Drive from Spittl Hill into direction of Arthur´s Pass for another 10 km, then left hand side. There is a toilet as well, and a clear stream for water. Other accomodation: If you stay for a long time you might want to check out the “Castle Hill Homestay & Backpackers”, right next to Spittl Hill and Quantum Field. Tel.: 03 – 31 88 616 0r 03 – 31 88 466 In the small village of castle Hill you can go to the B&b place “The Burn” www.theburn.co.nz



The climbing areas @ Castle Hill Quantum Field: V6 Brine, V 7 Quantum Mechanics, V 7 Thin Lizzy, V 6 Mantle Block, V6 Ocean, V6 Spent, V 6 The Remedy, V6 Small Balls, V7 The Phoenix, V 6 The Gorcerers Apprentice, V5 Right Taillight; Spittl Hill: V5´s: Supernatural, The Letter Box, Fossil, Let there be Malt, Slab; V6´s: The air below, Vaseline; V7´s: Philtrum, Glash Point, The Prophet, Thrust; V8´s: Pandemonium, Diablo;

Climbing in Wanaka In Wanaka you find about four main crags, when you go west out of town for about 25 km or a1/2 an hour. I did not like the climbing so much, some other people I met did though. You climb on crimpy stuff, mainly on vertical rocks or slabs. You can spent a good week climbing here, or maybe 10 days. There is a rock climbingguide for Wanaka you get at Mainly Tramping, it covers all the areas. The “Rock deluxe” also covers the area. “Riverside” is a nice area an very close to the camping area. The “Main Cliff” I liked most somehow, especially the “Tombstone” I found nice to climb on. Camping area Riverside: Riverside is a place to stay at, with a toilet at the premises. Actually it is not ment to be a camping area, but however everyone stays there, with campervan or tents. Look into the “Rock deluxe” climbing guidebook to see how to get there. We recommend not to drink the water out of the river next by, or wash your dishes with that water, as it may contain Giardia!

Outdoor Shop in Wanaka: “Mainly Tramping” right next to the “New World Supermarket” at Dunmore Street; These guys are really friendly and help you out with all kinds of information. The shop is very well equiped, you´ll find all you need



Rest days in Wanaka Internet: There are some good Internet places for 5.-$ / hour. Bits & Bytes I liked most. Cafes: We liked the small Caffe on the lake, the “Café Gusto” for its view and Segafredo Coffe, but also the one just on the opposite side of it. Muzza´s Café is something for the evening with its great fire place. Supermarket: “New World” in the center of Wanaka, Dumore Street; Cinema: If you are in Wanaka you have to go to the local cinama, “the Paradiso” . It is really worth seeing because it has couches to ly in, some cars inside and also very good melas, as well as ice cream and pastries! Reservations: [email protected] or Phone +64 3 443 1505 Puzzling World: What a funny place, you will love it!

Oakridge Pool & Spa Resort: Located at the Cnr Cardrona Valley and Studholme Roads

In town take the road to Cadrona. After 2-3 km´s, when you went up the hill, it is located to the right handed side. For just 5.-$ you have 2 small normal poolsand four great whirlpools you can ly your sour bodie in! War Bird Museum: Check out some rel cool old planes. From Wanaka go dirction of CHC for 10 km´s, it is on the left hand side.

Climbing around Queenstown Wye Creek I liked the area of “Wye Creek” a lot. From Queenstown drive back into direction of Wanaka, but at the airport go right. Drive on that road for about 15 minutes to get to the parking lot of the area on the lefthand side of the road (there is a gate!). The location is really great. You walk uphill next to Lake Wakatipu for about 40 minutes, until you cross the hill to get to the crags. We skipped the first two crags that lie on the left hand side when you walk uphill, because they did not look to good and had been wet as well. In the main area there are awesome wall climbs, as well as a beautiful arete and the crazy “Monkey Roof”. Altogether about 40 routes are waiting there for you. You have an awesome view down on Lake Wakatipu and the sun shines all day unless the wheather is too bad. There is also a bouldering area that starts right next to the parking lot of Wye Creek. I did not boulder there but it is said to be a good area. The boulders are pretty obvious and can be seen already from the road.



Where to stay overnight @ Wye Creek: If you come to “Wye Creek” from Queenstown, the parking lot for the climbing area will be to the left hand side (directions see “Rock deluxe”). Just 100 meter after the gate that leads to the crag´s parking lot there is an off road going down to Lake Wakatipu on the right hand side. Drive maybe 500 downwards to get to the first good camping spot. Directly at the beach of the Lake Wakatipu there are heaps of sandlies, so it is maybe a bad idea to stay so close to the water. Queenstown Hill In Queenstown get up a bit on the roads to get to the parking lot (directions se “Rock deluxe”). From there it is an hours walk to get to the crag. I liked the cgrag, it is mainly vertical wall climbing on crimps. There are about 15 good routes, well bolted. You will nbeed some slings and locking biners for putting up an anchor on the top of some climbs for rapelling or top ropes. The top of the cliff can be easily reached by walking around the crag. Queenstown - Extrem Sport Capital of New Zealand: You can book all kinds of crazy stuff in Queenstown. Sky diving, bungee jumping, river rafting, speed boat,…. It is all just a question of how much guts you got and how much money. There is a cenral booking office right in the center. Supermarket: There is a big “Fresh Choice” Supermarket on Gorge Rd., 2 mins. Out of the centre of town. A “New World” in the “Remarkable Park” in Frankton. Alpine supermarket is near the centre of Queenstown on the corner of Stanley and Shotover Streets. Open 8am – 9pm Weekdays, 9am-9pm Weekends. Cinema: There is a good cinema in Queenstown at “The Mall”, which movies also in the afternoon. Cafes: There are nice Caffes on the lake, and one faboulous chacolate shop as well.



Climbing in Paynes Ford and Pohara The crags of aynes Ford and Pohara are probably the best limestone crags in New Zealand. You can find about 200 routes here, many with different characters. Paynes Ford is pretty far away from from CHC, it is a 6-7 hours drive through winding roads at the end over a huge hill between Motueka and Takaka. But once you are there you can check in at Hang Dog Camp and spent beautiful days. Paynes Ford: The best areas in Paynes for me were: The Tenuite Wall, The Globe Wall, The Wall of Thugs, The Fish Wall, In between these areas there some more, and you want to do the one or the other climb for sure because there many nice lines! The best time for Paynes is probably spring and fall. In summer there are more people here which can be great fun. In winter it gets pretty cold and sometimes a bit wet. This season is probably the worst for Paynes. Pohara: In Pohara you climb right next to the beach. I loved it there, because the crags get lots of light, it is warmer than in Paynes and the sound of the sea was just great. I liked the “Po Bee Slabs” a lot, also the “Seagrass Wall” and the “Cathedral Wall”. Po Bee has nice overhanging routes up to 26, the Seagras Wall has shorter slabs and face climbing. The Cathedral Wall has awesome long slabs and face climbs!

Hang Dog Camp This place is the most famous climbing campground in New Zealand. It is easy going here, and climbers rely much on the honesty and good attitude amongst each other. The place has plenty of camping space (5.- $ / night), a “bunkhouse” with 14 beds ($10.- / night), shower, fridge, fire place, bikes, a cooking place and toilets. You can also charge all devices at the bunkhouse. From the camp to the crags of Paynes Ford is is only a few minutes walk. www.homepages.paradise.net.nz/hangdog.camp phone: 03 – 525 90 93 e-mail: [email protected]



Rest days in Paynes Ford: Go to Takaka, which is only 5 minutes drive. Internet: Right at the beginning of the main road (Commercial Road) on the right hand side. Cafes: There are some really nice ones, we liked the “Wholemeal Café” the most. Laundry: Get cleaned up, do your laundry at the video – laundry place on the main road on the left hand side! Supermarket: There is a Fresh Choice right at the beginning of town! Phu Phu Springs: There are some great fountains to be seen near Takaka. They are the biggest fresh water fountains in Oceania! Great natural site! Mussle Inn: This famous Bar / Restaurant has live music sometimes, great meals and good beer! The Inn is 20 km´s away from Takaka into the direction of Collingwood. Collingwood: Go to Colingwood and see the little pitoresque town pn the beach. Take a walk on the beach and have a coffe somewhere. Nice restday activity! Able Tasman NP: Hike a bit on the Able Tasman Walk. Move your budd!

Climbing Mt. Cook If you want to climb Mt. Cook you probably need to come to NZL in the KIWI summer (November to February). The Mountain is pretty hard to climb, it will take you about 4 days with the approach by helicopter. The conditions when I had been there in mArch 2006 were bad. The lasttwo winters had little snow, and the summers were very hot. So the glaciers were very opened, lots of cravasses that have to be passed. So an ascent is very time consuming and might involve climbing down and up some crevasses. The mountain guides in Mt. Cook village and also Fox Glacier even suspended guiding the mountain. The probably most successful try can be made by using the regular route via the “Linda Glacier”. Fly up to Plateau hut first. Either you start in the morning to see all the crevasses on the glacier and then make a bivy left hand side of the “gun barrel”. Then start very early (2 a.m.) to be on the summit around 6.00 or 7.00 a.m. and be back at Plateau hut in the afternoon. Or you start around midnight from the Plateau hut to be on the summit around 12.00 to 2.00 p.m. You will not be back before night then.



All detailled information can be obtained by purchasing the Mt. Cook Mountaineering Guidebook from the NZAC. You will be able to get precice information at the Alpine Guide Center in Mt. Cook Village as well. Mt. Cook Ski Planes: Helicopter to Plateau Hut NZL $ 820.- incl. fees – 2 up to 4 people! Fly in with a Cesna only 360.- NZL $ Free call: 0800 – 800 702 www.mtcookskiplanes.com [email protected] If you want to climb Mt. Tasman or Mt. Cook from the west coast, you need to fly in to the ??? hut: Then call Mt. Cook Ski Planes with this number 03 – 752 07 14You can also check other offices directly in Fox Glacier!

Mt. Cook Village You only find a gas station but no ATM or bank !!! Make sure you bring your food from outside, because it is really expensive and some things are not available. Even the shop in Twizel is expensive. So you might buy your stuff already in Wanaka or Christchurch. YHA: The Youth Hostel has 70 beds, they cost $ 25 .- to 32.-; Reservations: 03 – 435 18 20 National Park Visitor center: Here you should get registered for all hikes and mountaineering undertakings. You can get a wheather forecast, Public Shelter: has showers and cooking facilities; Old Mountaineers Café: Has a great view to Mt. Cook, a pool table, internet, and a fire place! Hut: Mountaineerers stay in Unwind Hut app. 2 kms before the Village.

Useful websites www.trademe.co.nz : I found this website really usefull. I could sell some old climbing stuff I did not need any more and buy some things I needed really cheap (headlamp, …). The website has a climbing section, where specific products can be found. www.indoorclimbing.com/newzealand.html :Find all indoor climbing possibillities in New Zealand on this website.



www.mojozone.co.nz : The website has some good features, like statements of the conditions on some mountains. The forum sucked though, because after I registered I never got a verification e-mail and could not log in in the member section. Many other climbers had the same problem, which should make the guys at mojozone think a little about it.

www.climb.co.nz : This website offers useful information about all major crags and general information. www.thecrag.com : Good site with great features. Find routes in your grade in all major areas,… Sign up as a member for free and get going! www.alpineclub.org.nz: very important site for many things (forum!!!, trade & sale forum,…) Airlines: Virginblue: www.virginblue.com.au Jet: www.jetairways.com Pacific Blue: www.globenettravel.com.au

Air New Zealand: www.airnewzealand.com

Resoling:

If you have to resole your climbing shoes you have two option on the south island: Rebirth Resoles @ Hang Dog Camp in Paynes Ford: www.rebirthresoles.co.nz Call first before you send in shoes as Mark, who does the job is not always around. Prices: 50.- $ for 1 pair, 75.- $ for 1 pair incl. Toe caps. Resoling @ BIVOUAC: Bring your shoes to Bivouac in CHC at Colombo Street and have them dome within 10 days (or so). Price 50.- $.

Distances Christchurch to Paynes Ford: 6 -7 hours - 550 km Christchurch to Mt. Cook Village: 3 - 4 hours - 350km Mt. Cook Village to Wanaka: 2 ½ hours – 230 km Wanaka to Queenstown: 1 ¼ hours over Cadrona Pass – 90 km Wanaka to Fox Glacier: 4 hours – 320 km Christchurch – Castle Hill: 1 ½ hours - 140 km

Giardia I had it myself and I also met many people with it too. The little parasite lives in the water and you can easily get infected by drinking water out of streams, rivers, by washing your dishes in it or by other people or food. Symptoms are: Diarrhoea, stomach cramps and abdominal pain, nausea and vomating, weight loss, bloating (farthing), slight fever, headache and fatique. The symptoms appear between three and 25 days after infection. Go the the doctor if you feel you have it and give a stool sample for a check (NZ $ 50 – 60.-). After 2-5days you get the results. If infected, you will get some special antibiotics against Giardia, 4-5 pills once a day, for three days. Do nottake general antibiotics as they do not kill Giardia!



Important Climbing Guidebooks

Golden Bay Climbs - Rock Deluxe, a guide to the best crags and boulders in the South Island - Spittle Hill, Castle Hill Basin

Important Mountaineering Guidebooks

Aoraki Mount Cook, a Guide for Mountaineers

The Mount Aspiring Region



Map of the south island:

source of the map: http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/mapofsouthisland.html

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