Fast trip to Haast

**LBD** · 23rd April 2012, 00:17

Originally Posted by Timber020

There was a marked commodore doing good trade a couple weekends back at haast

And I donated to an unmarked silver Honda Accord at Lake Paranga...

**unstuck** · 23rd April 2012, 07:21

And the plod from whataroa have been doing rather well around Franz lately.

**Maha** · 23rd April 2012, 07:47

Originally Posted by Timber020

There was a marked commodore doing good trade a couple weekends back at haast

Originally Posted by LBD

And I donated to an unmarked silver Honda Accord at Lake Paranga...

They got that 'Bump Phone' technology down there yet?

**unstuck** · 23rd April 2012, 08:13

Not a lot of side trips worth doing on a road bike on your way down the coast, but I would recommend turning off at the Forks and having a blast out to Okarito, just watch for Kiwis.

**JATZ** · 23rd April 2012, 09:38

Originally Posted by FJRider

mmmmm ... could be ... on a good day. If it's raining don't bother.

I dunno.... you appreciate the hot food more when it's cold and wet, and the scenery is still pretty good (what you can see of it

)

MD · 23rd April 2012, 12:52

Originally Posted by Jantar

Not quite true, although the fuel companies would love to have you believe that. A couple of years ago (on the way the KB rally in Kopara) my wife and I saw a petrol tanker topping up the tanks at Makorora while we were stopped there for morning tea. Later we stopped for a walk at the Blue Pools near Haast Pass then when we stopped in Haast for fuel, there was the same tanker topping up their tanks. After lunch we continued north and saw the same tanker topping up the tanks in Fox. We stayed the night in Franz and ended up talking to the tanker driver. He came from Dunedin, but would end up in Nelson then repeat the journey south from there.

So why isn't fuel in Haast the same as in Hokitika? Its the same tanker doing the same run. He wouldn't answer my question as to why he was filling up Challenge in Haast, BP in Fox and Mobil in Franz, just that I would have to ask the fuel companies that one.

That makes sense to complete the tanker trip to Dunedin for refilling. Possibly Hokitika gets supplied by rail or their delivery trucks don't go any further south i.e. they avoid the extra costs. Been a long time since I lived on the Coast, so I've no idea if the trains still run south of Greymouth.

Either way I feel for the locals having no choice all year but pay way above the rest of the country. That's the price of living in paradise I suppose - paradise when it's not raining I mean!

**unstuck** · 23rd April 2012, 13:07

Be prepared for anything that mother nature throws at you. This is Bruce bay on a rough day and the signs had blown over up the road and caught a few people out.

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2012, 13:51

Originally Posted by Jantar

So why isn't fuel in Haast the same as in Hokitika? Its the same tanker doing the same run. He wouldn't answer my question as to why he was filling up Challenge in Haast, BP in Fox and Mobil in Franz, just that I would have to ask the fuel companies that one.

My father drove tankers for Mobil for many years out of Invercargill. The same ship unloading fuel in Bluff got piped to all the various companys tanks. As for the West Caost fuel supply ... it will be on a contract to fill those tanks for the various companys. Far cheaper and more sensible than sending a truck down just for one tank. The truck would refill at the ports in Nelson and Dunedin.

If memory serves ... the fuel prices are not based on "cartage rates added" ... prices. It is up to the retailer on what price they can get away with charging ... the basic rate they buy it for is no different to any other part of the country.

Cartage is only an excuse by the small garages (albeit in rural locations) to charge extra.

**FJRider** · 23rd April 2012, 13:54

Originally Posted by Maha

They got that 'Bump Phone' technology down there yet?

Too many places there where is NO phone coverage at all.

**1billyboy** · 23rd April 2012, 20:00

Originally Posted by unstuck

Do not stop for fuel in makarora unless you have very deep pockets. Make sure you stop at bruce bay and leave a stone statue or some other form of artistic expression. Take a run down to jacksons bay if you have the time too, just be prepared to dig deep again if you have a feed there.

If you get to Jacksons Bay there might be a few sandfly to dogde.

**Stylo** · 23rd April 2012, 20:16

Just put the Pack rack on the Bike, said puncture repair kit now purchased . Mosquito spray, torch , sleeping bag and acknowledge the weather reports and thanks for the advice guys ...will keep an eye out for the plod too .

Nice to know there's petrol available down the coast , hope there's 95 on tap