Cromwell, Lake Hawea and Haast

Cromwell is situated in Central Otago practically surrounded by mountains. The day we arrived was warm, dry and windy. The area is great for biking and has the Lake Dunstan cycling trail from Cromwell to Clyde. There is also a historic precinct (part of a historic gold mining village) that now houses cafes, artisans and art galleries and you can do gold panning at the Goldfields Mining Centre in Kawarau Gorge. Cromwell is also known for the multitude of great wineries in and around the area. From Cromwell we drove to Lake Hawea and stayed over at The Camp. The times I really miss a navigator is when I would love to take photos of the surroundings while I drive, but there is nowhere to stop at the time. The area is truly beautiful and changes from the dryer mountains areas to woodlands and then farmlands. Haast is a UNESCO World Heritage area on the west coast of New Zealand. It is remote and amazing in terms of natural beauty.

Our camp in Cromwell

Quiet little town of Cromwell

Beautiful cloud formation at Lake Hawea

Camping at Lake Hawea

sunrise over Lake Hawea

Thunder Creek Falls (28m high) in the Haast River Valley section of Mount Aspriring Park, a few minutes before entering Haast. Locals know it as the "Ninety Foot Falls".

The hotel, petrol station and camping grounds is about the sum total of this little town.

The Haast beach area

Didn't say anything about cats on that board😺

The monument for the opening of the road connecting the Westland to Otago via the Haast Pass on 6 November 1965 by the then prime minister, Keith Holyoake.

Beautiful view from Knight's Point