Australian Motorcyclist — December 2017

(Martin Jones) #1

TRAVEL


There’s only one road/rail bridge left, b
there are plenty of really narrow one
like this long bridge at Haas

rrowtown is a tourist trap, but it s still
kind of sweet – and it’s on the way to
the wonderful Crown Range Road.

There is now only oneROAD/RAIL
BRIDGE ON THE WEST COAST.
There used to be two until a few years
ago. Over the years we have had a
number of people crash on this bridge?
At least two requiring an ambulance for
both bike and rider. Another (German)
lost bike bits over the edge in to the
river. I can only think that the riders
focus on the rails, not the road, and
thus go where they are focussing. If
we warn people ahead, they
say; “Oh, that was nothing”. I
we don’t warn them, they say;
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tell us about that bridge”...


MILFORD SOUND. The
120kms out there has to be
one of the most enjoyable
roads in the world. Yes, it was
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few trips. When its dry (rare)
its spectacular. When it’s wet
(usually) it is spectacular by
virtue of the thousands of
waterfalls that line the road.
The ride is not to be taken
lightly. If the road becomes
blocked by landslide (not
uncommon) the village is
no place to be caught. On
one trip as we approached
the tunnel from the low
side, a bus was seriously on
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to creep past, and before the cavalry
arrived. Otherwise we would have been
spending a very uncomfortable night
at Milford. I can take or leave the boat
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it is overwhelming and impossible to
grasp. Although our tours do the boat
ride, privately I advise people to forget
it. A helicopter ride over the Alps from
Milford is about as awesome as it can
get. The roof of the world, countless
snowy peaks, land at the Homer Tunnel
entrance.


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existence was initially to house the


many hydro workers who designed
and built the canal complex that you
cross in the area. Up until recently it
was possible to ride alongside the area
canals which was much better than the
highway, but every time I have been
there for the last few years they have
been closed off. If the gates are open
they are well worth doing.

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less well known is the American
Observatory on the top of the hill just
off the highway. There is now a cafe at
the top which has views of vast area of
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is not mentioned in the list, but is
right up there with Glenorchy. A very
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Arrowtown road, and climbs in
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is totally deserted in summer. Like the
Milford road, it is the scene of many
TV car commercials. The road is
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