We drove across the fabulous Lindis Pass hoping that the weather would hold – heavy snow, wind and rain had been forecast. Fortunately/unfortunately we, like several other cars, found ourselves behind a fully laden stock truck who was carefully carrying his load over the twisty pass. Still, it gave us time to drink in the views around us.

Omarama – We drove to Omarama and took a detour to the Clay Cliffs. Oh boy! These cliffs make you feel like a small ant or termite in a mound. They are so otherworldly. Reviews talk about terrible gravel road, really prickly bushes and yes, the road to the cliffs is gravel but it really wasn’t that bad and the prickly bushes will get you if you choose to divert from the path way and go ‘off road’. We loved it, especially the views across the braided river to the hills & mountains beyond. Definitely worth the effort to get there.

Unfortunately/fortunately the road from Omarama to Kurow was closed on the day we were travelling. In place was a diversion that took you across the Benmore Dam and then down the opposite side of Aviemore lake before taking you across Aviemore Dam and then on to Kurow. All we can say is that was the best diversion we have ever had to take! What stunning views and the Benmore Dam is just a thing of beauty and technological marvel. It is an earth built dam and at the time is was built, it was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. We stopped in Kurow for a coffee – no we didn’t see Richie McCaw – but the coffee was good!