New Zealand - West Coast Highway

Kaiapoi at first light, just north of Christchurch. The colonial-style buildings are like a film set for the starting point of the route. The first destination is the West Coast on the other side of the island. In between, the mountain range of the Southern Alps, with the peaks already illuminated by the morning sun. Its rays move slowly down the mountain slopes. And Highway 73 heads straight towards them: onwards, and on again. The first stage leads through the rugged mountain terrain over Arthur’s Pass to the West Coast. On the other side of the pass, the road suddenly leads into luxuriant rainforest. Now, there is no longer any protection against the natural forces of the »South-Westerlies«, which shape the climate here. But it is precisely these forces of nature that make this a world-renowned route. The first stage ends with a short drive northwards along the coast towards Westport with an overnight stop in Punakaiki. With a good deal of luck, it may be possible to discover one of the nocturnally active kiwis here. But even if New Zealand's national bird makes itself scarce, the sunset between the Pancake Rock formations is guaranteed. The powerful waves crash up, creating fountains between these bizarrely shaped rock needles along the coast, which also provide the best possible introduction to what awaits on the next part of the route. Driving along the West Coast Highway at the first light of day with the centre line of the road separating the mountains from the coast. One moment still in swirling fog, as if the sea is trying to swallow up the narrow strip in front of the mountain slopes. Then the fog lifts and the closed-in feeling was just a dream. The view revealed by the lifting fog is of an otherworldly landscape. Only the southbound Highway 6 remains the same here, always returning to the coast, even when its hairpin bends sometimes stray into the mountains. It is not surprising therefore that this landscape is top of the list when Hollywood is looking for film sets for strange worlds. In contrast, our 911 Carrera GTS feels perfectly at home in these unreal surroundings. What millions can only enjoy on the cinema screen is here just a short detour from the actual route. Lake Kaniere promises a brief respite before the spectacular sight of Mount Cook from the Fox Glacier is guaranteed to take your breath away. The route ends in Haast, shortly after Highway 6 finally leaves the West Coast. However, the road continues through Wanaka right down into the far south of the island. And New Zealand again calls out: onwards, and on again.