New Zealand South Island - Riverton to Takaka
Home to an incredibly diverse range of landscapes from glaciated peaks to sweeps of dunes, the South Island of New Zealand is one of the most enchanting places on the globe. Geologically young, the South Island evolved due to the tectonic forces related to a process called subduction in this part of the southwest Pacific Ocean. These forces built the base of the land through volcanic eruptions and brute heaving of the earth’s crust. Chiseled, carved, and scoured by the atmosphere and the sea into their modern forms, the many facets of the South Island provide endless sights for an aerial odyssey through its myriad regions.
This journey begins at the southern extremity of the South Island, an area defined by forests, fjords, rugged coastlines, and mountains. The route then explores the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, including Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak at 12,218 feet above sea level. The flight then travels up the Tasman Sea coastline before crossing to the Pacific Coast. The trip comes to an end on the South Island’s upper reaches on the shore of the Cook Strait.
Total Legs: 9 Total Distance: 628 Total Time(125kts): 5 hours 1 minutes
Leg 1
Center Island Airstrip to Manapouri
Leg Distance: 60.92 Approximate time at 125kts: 29 minutes.
Center Island Airstrip(NZRV) to Kawakaputa Bay(POI1)
Distance: 4.89NM Bearing: 325° 2 minutes
After lifting off from Center Island Airstrip, set a course to the north-northwest, flying over the northern reaches of the Foveaux Strait. Sight and fly over Kawakaputa Bay, which features long white sand beaches.
Kawakaputa Bay(POI1) to Gemstone Beach(POI2)
Distance: 7.24NM Bearing: 299° 3 minutes
Turn into a northwest heading at Kawakaputa Bay and pass over the rolling lowlands that lie just inland of the Foveaux Strait. Begin following State Highway 99 and pass to the northeast of Pahia Hill, then sight Gemstone Beach. Gemstone beach is a small town where State Highway 99 meets the waters of Foveaux Strait. It was named due to the numerous gems found on the local beach, including includes quartz, garnet, and jasper.
Gemstone Beach(POI2) to Waiau River(POI3)
Distance: 6.68NM Bearing: 293° 3 minutes
Skirt the coastline, and State Highway 99 which skirts it, to reach the juncture of the Waiau River and the Foveaux Strait. The Waiau River is the largest river in the southwestern part of the South Island of New Zealand.
Waiau River(POI3) to Tuatapere(POI4)
Distance: 4.46NM Bearing: 10° 2 minutes
Upon reaching the Waiau River, turn into a north-northeast heading and follow its course inland to the town of Tuatapere, which owes its existence to the logging industry and a railroad that was established in the area.
Tuatapere(POI4) to Eastern Bush(POI5)
Distance: 6.56NM Bearing: 348° 3 minutes
From Tuatapere, follow State Highway 99 to the small town of Eastern Bush. For a visual reference, the town lies at the juncture of State Highway 99, the Waiau River, and two other roads: the Ohai-Clifden Highway and the Clifden-Blackmount Road.
Eastern Bush(POI5) to Monowai(POI6)
Distance: 15.39NM Bearing: 316° 7 minutes
From Eastern Bush, turn into a northwest heading and follow the course of the Waiau River to the town of Monowai, which lies to the northeast of the crescent-shaped Lake Monowai. Monowai lies at the base of a long line of beautiful peaks and fjords protected by Fiordland National Park. The park is the largest in all of New Zealand at nearly 5,000 square miles and occupies the entire southwest corner of the South Island. Monowai lies on the eastern boundary of the park.
Monowai(POI6) to Lake Rakatu(POI7)
Distance: 8.87NM Bearing: 330° 4 minutes
Follow the general course of the Waiau River, passing to the east of a small group of peaks to reach Lake Rakatu. Lake Rakatu is a tiny lake set amid rolling forest that lies to the northwest of the Waiau River and just west of a small knoll, Paddock Hill.
Lake Rakatu(POI7) to Manapouri(POI8)
Distance: 4.24NM Bearing: 346° 2 minutes
From Lake Rakatu, turn into a north-northeast course and pass just to the east of Pudding Hill, which lies just to the north of Lake Rakatu. Continue on course to the southeast shore of Lake Manapouri. Fly over the town of Manapouri, which lies at the juncture of Lake Manapouri and the Waiau River.
Manapouri(POI8) to Manapouri(NZMO)
Distance: 2.59NM Bearing: 16° 1 minutes
Follow the southeast shoreline of Lake Manapouri, line up with Te Anau Airport, and land.
Leg 2
Manapouri to Queenstown
Leg Distance: 61.72 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Manapouri(NZMO) to Ramparts Wetland(POI9)
Distance: 3.76NM Bearing: 67° 2 minutes
After launching from Te Anau Airport, set a course to the east. Sight the confluence of the Mararoa River and the Whitestone River. Fly over the Ramparts Wetland, which lies just to the west of the confluence of the two rivers.
Ramparts Wetland(POI9) to Mararoa River(POI10)
Distance: 6.21NM Bearing: 69° 3 minutes
Continue on an easterly heading and follow the course of the Mararoa River, passing over it where it intersects with State Highway 94.
Mararoa River(POI10) to South Mavora Lake(POI11)
Distance: 18.79NM Bearing: 15° 9 minutes
Turn to the northeast and follow the corridor of the Mararoa River, passing over Little Hill and an unnamed airstrip. Gain a visual on South Mavora Lake, which trends north-south, and pass over it.
South Mavora Lake(POI11) to North Mavora Lake(POI12)
Distance: 4.68NM Bearing: 330° 2 minutes
Continue following the midline of South Mavora Lake to reach North Mavora Lake.
North Mavora Lake(POI12) to Mount Lookup(POI13)
Distance: 4.05NM Bearing: 44° 2 minutes
From North Mavora Lake, turn to the east-northeast and pass over the Oreti River and sight Mount Lookup in the distance.
Mount Lookup(POI13) to Mt. Nicholas Station(POI14)
Distance: 9.7NM Bearing: 22° 5 minutes
Turn onto a northeast heading and gain a visual on Lake Wakatipu in the distance. Sight the Von River, which flows into Lake Wakatipu and follow its course to Mt. Nicholas Station, which lies on the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
Mt. Nicholas Station(POI14) to Lake Wakatipu(POI15)
Distance: 7.08NM Bearing: 58° 3 minutes
Continue from Mt. Nicholas Station over Lake Wakatipu. At 50 miles in length, Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s longest. It is also the country’s third largest and one of its deepest lakes.
Lake Wakatipu(POI15) to Queenstown(NZQN)
Distance: 7.45NM Bearing: 37° 4 minutes
Turn onto a northeast heading over Lake Wakatipu and pass just to the south of the city of Queenstown. Land at Queenstown Airport, which is located adjacent to the juncture of Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu.
