Haast

Haast is famous for its dramatic landscapes. Situated on the western edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, in the heart of a world heritage area, UNESCO has compared it to the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef as a significant natural treasure. The Haast area is comprised of small settlements including Haast township, Haast Junction, Haast Beach, Okuru, Hannahs Clearing, Neils Beach and Jackson Bay. Local services includes 2 general stores, service stations, possum and merino gift store, honey shop, dining and a variety of accommodation.

Haast is also West Coast Whitebait country so it is widely available here. For a fabulous whitebait pattie call into the Curly Tree Whitebait Company, the Prickly Gorse, Hard Antler or The Frontier Cafe and Bar for the true local treat in the best environment, in which to enjoy this delectable delicacy.

Haast History

Haast has had a series of settlers passing through in search of pounamu, gold, deer and timber. In the 1860's German explorer Julius von Haast named the Haast Pass and tourism began in the Haast area as early as 1890's as Scottish born Charlie Douglas AKA Mr Explorer Douglas' tirelessly explored and surveyed the area. Adventurous souls followed his footsteps.

At Jackson Bay about 400 people, many of them Germans, Poles and Italians, were recruited to establish a settlement here around 1884. Due to trouble with supplies reaching the area and the harsh environment in which to farm, this setttlement did not suceed. However most of the local families here today are decendants of the most hardy that stayed on and made cattle farming a sucess.

Haast and its many waterways The Hapuka Estuary Walk just south of Haast also has panels interpreting the historic aspects of the Open Bay Islands where ten men in a sealing gang were stranded for three years with little provisions.

Haast has a spot in aviation history as well as the first commercial flight in New Zealand was into Haast by pilot Bert Mercer in 1934, in a DH83 Fox Moth.

The Haast Pass Highway was finally opened in 1965, creating a vital road link between Wanaka in Central Otago with Haast. The Maori had always used the Haast Pass for trade and had named it "Tiori-patea" meaning "the way ahead is clear."

In 1990, 2.6 million hectares in Haast was declared the South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Area which gave international recognition to the outstanding natural values of the area.