New driving app

A scenic driving loop app and website guiding visitors around the central South Island hydro lakes and coastal highways has been launched with the aim of unveiling some of the region’s best kept secrets. The ROAM (River, Ocean, Astro Mountain) driving loop has been developed by Venture Timaru, in collaboration with the Mackenzie, Waitaki and Waimate tourism agencies. While the route can be driven in six hours, it is hoped it will take visitors longer, Venture Timaru operations manager Di Hay said. ‘‘The drive is already popular with locals and vehicle clubs from around New Zealand, but it’s less well known by internationals visitors and domestic travellers from outside the region,’’ Hay said. ‘‘What we’re trying to do is let people know about the loop with all the highlights of our wonderful historic and geographic features along the way. You can do the drive in six hours, but we’d love to see people take their time to enjoy the different features, and stop and stay in our central region.’’ The app and website will also allow visitors to plan their journey and for South Canterbury people, it offers more information about the sites along the way to share with their visitors and to build their knowledge about the history of our region. ‘‘You can learn about Ted’s bottle in Waihao Downs, the geology of the Clay Cliffs at Ō mārama, wander the glaciers of the Mackenzie or explore ancient Māori rock art in Timaru,’’ she said. The collaborating tourism agencies hope the loop will encourage visitors to divert from the traditional Starlight Highway tourist route in the Mackenzie, back through the lesser-known attractions.