Most scenic hot spots have visitor ‘i-SIGHT’ and Dept. of Conservation (DOC) offices that will supply travellers with information.

i-SIGHT’s are usually located in the prime centre of towns, where as DOC offices may not be as obvious in some locations.

The i-SIGHT or visitor information sights are accredited member of New Zealand’s official Visitor Information Network endorsed by Tourism New Zealand. That said, i-SITE’s are also commission based booking offices. They have good local knowledge but are primarily there to book tours and accommodation. They offer impartial advice within this field but they are there to sell the services of the local businesses that are registered with them.

i-SIGHT’s are funded by local council rates and charge businesses a registration fee. If a business is not registered with these visitor information sights, then these businesses will not be promoted by the i-SIGHT.

There is no advantage to the local business community in promoting the word “free”, however some of New Zealand’s best gems are tucked away down little dirt roads, often not even sign posted.

For example, if you were to enquire at the official i-SIGHT about trout fishing at Lake Wanaka, you would be given a run down on all the commercial operators. You would be asked what type of fishing you wish to do, fly, trawling, remote heli guided etc etc. You would not be told that you can purchase a daily fishing licence, rod and reel and take yourself down a well formed road to a well known river and fish for free.

The cost of the rod and reel will be a fraction of the cost of a fishing tour operator. The Clutha river has some of the best trout fishing in the world and is located only five kilometres from the town centre and the i-SIGHT.

To get good local information on activities and sights you are best to visit the Dept of Conservation office. DOC has no commercial incentive and offers good free advice and information booklets containing maps about local attractions. Once equipped with this information you can then decide if you require a commercial operator to experience the desired activity or attraction by visiting the i-SIGHT.

Intention forms are a useful safety system that informs DOC of the intended track location to be walked and a panic date if trampers do not return. Understandably if trampers do not inform DOC that they have returned safely then a full scale search and rescue can result .

The problem is so wide spread that police are spending many man hours checking accommodation providers, car rental firms and airports in efforts to trace people and double check they had returned safely and were not overdue.

Ice is constantly falling from the face of the glacier terminal into the river below but on this occasions large slabs the size of vehicles fall onto the unsuspecting men.

Local media are portraying the men as foolish for ignoring warning signs to stay on the designated track. As the glacier has receded in recent years, the track to view the glacier finishes at least five hundreds metres short of the terminus. Most visitors to the glacier step over the low fence and continue further for a closer look. This can be clearly seen by the well worn path on the other side of the official fence.

I believe that the actions of the two unfortunate Australians were indicative of most visitors and the real issue lies with The Department of Conservations inadequate viewing track. As one of New Zealands greatest scenic attractions, the track to Fox Glacier should be upgraded and moved forward to a point that gives visitors the vistas that are commonly advertised and which sight seers have come to expect. If the track ended at a safe distance but still within the commonly publicised view, the need to leave the track would not exist.

It is clear that the two visitors were dangerously close but the official excuse that there are ample warning signs does not absolve the Department of shouldering some of the responsibility. The present track terminates at a point that it almost invites visitors to proceed uncontrolled.