Still cowering from the sand flies we had a fairly late start this morning. We debated another walk on the beach, but decided the subsequent smell of insect repellent was just not worth it.
So we drove up SH6 towards the north. First stop was the look out at Knights Point, with a wonderful view of the sea and a monument erected to honour the opening of the road through the Haast Past in 1965.
Next stop was the track to Munro Beach. It was a 45 minute walk through a wonderful rainforest, with tall tree ferns and moss laden trees. We heard a few birds, but didn't see very many.
Some of the trees had vines hanging from them, or growing up through them, and of course Mick had to have a go at swinging from one.
I couldn't resist photographing the fern trees, especially lovely with the sun shining through them.
Munro beach itself was empty, and surrounded by rocks. Apparently you can see seals and orca from there, and some of the very rare Fjordland penguins nest in the banks behind the beach.
This, and his mate, were the only birds we saw. Not sure what they were, but they quite enjoyed posing for the camera.
Then it was on to Fox Glacier, and a drive to the car park along a long road following the outflow river from the glacier. It used to be a very short walk to a look out point to see the snout of the glacier, but since 2004 the glacier has retreated quite a long way, making the DOC make a new path up one of the moraines. A long slow slog upwards, and we were treated to a view of the glacier.
It's one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world, and we saw a couple of pieces of ice break off at the bottom as we watched. Apparently it moves 50 to 60 cm a day at the base.
The walk back down the track was hot and sweaty, despite the fact that there was ice way below us on the glacier outflow. It was nice to be able to wash my hands in the stream.
After visiting the glacier we drove to the town of Fox Glacier, and enquired about heli/hiking trips for tomorrow. One company, despite being full for the regular trips, managed to arrange for us to go on a trip tomorrow at 10.50. We have to be there at 10.45, and will have a 10 minute helicopter flight onto the glacier, followed by up to a 3 hour hike.
A quick check of websites (we had cell phone coverage again, first time for several days) and we drove to the Top 10 site, 5 minutes down the road, and checked in for the night. A good site with laundry facilities, of which we have taken full advantage, and an excellent kitchen, which we have not used. A meal sitting under a palm tree in shorts and t shirt, whilst looking at a glacier, is not a bad evening. Now just got to check all the email, and try and post the last few days bloggings.
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