Stranded visitors face wait

As Golden Bay’s only access road remains closed for an unknown time, hundreds of visitors are seeking other ways to leave the area.

Operators of alternative transport including light planes and barges have waiting lists running into the hundreds.

Wellington holidaymakers Colin Smithies and Jacqeline Levine left their yacht at Kaiteriteri after conditions worsened on Tuesday, and drove over Takaka Hill to Airbnb accommodation.

With the hill highway’s closure on Tuesday afternoon, and no time frame for its reopening, they have no easy way back.

‘‘We don’t even know if the boat survived,’’ said Smithies. ‘‘We’d like to get back to it, but this is a great place to be to be stuck.’’

Brogan and James Mackintosh, from Christchurch, moved from Totaranui to an Airbnb near Collingwood with their baby daughter Nora, on Tuesday.

‘‘We are just waiting for an update, because have to get back to Christchurch eventually. We have [our daughter’s] christening next week.’’

Brogan said they needed to use the barge from Port Tarakohe to get their car back.

However, they were informed that only five cars could be barged at any one time at a cost of $600 per vehicle, and it was weather dependent. Passengers must take the bus and water taxi to meet their vehicle at Kaiteriteri.

‘‘To be fair, [the barge] does seem quite expensive,’’ said James, who is supposed to be back at work in Christchurch on Monday.

‘‘I think [NZTA] just needs to be a little bit more better with communication; I know they can’t give a set time ... we don’t feel too trapped, but it’s just the unknown.’’

People wanting to use the vehicle barge are required to write their name on a piece of paper at the visitor’s centre. There was a waiting list of more than 90 vehicles yesterday morning.

At the airport in Golden Bay yesterday, half a dozen people were waiting in line at Golden Bay Air to book flights out.

Co-owner Richard Malloy said it had more than 100 people on a wait list for flights to Nelson, and they were using three aircraft that were all flying back-to-back.

‘‘In terms of enquiries, it’s a little bit less busy than other days,’’ he said.

‘‘I think what happens is they make the announcement and people panic ... because they have to be out with international flights and all that, so the people we have now they want to go on the weekend and early next week, which is much easier for us.’’

Golden Bay Adventure Flights co-owner Nika Naumann said her husband, pilot Mit Brereton, had flown 170 people in and out of Golden Bay over the last several days.

‘‘He’s tired, but it’s all good,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s for the good of the community; like when the earthquake in Kaikoura happened and he was ... flying in-and-out supplies. As soon as something happens he goes ‘I have to help’.’’

At the Golden Bay information centre yesterday, a line of tourists queued for information on how to get out or to book more accommodation.

The lines were polite and orderly although the strain of the situation was apparent for both tourists and staff.

Joseph Gilmore, of Australia, has a flight booked to Nelson, and said the visitor information staff had been amazing.

His motel in Golden Bay had also not charged him for the extra nights.

Visiting from Germany, Marcus Kirchner said it was the first time he and his family had been stuck somewhere.

They were philosophical about their situation but also aware it was cutting in to their planned holiday. ‘‘A friend of mine has a motto ‘Enjoy wasting your time splendidly’. We are doing that to excess.’’

At the supermarket in Takaka there is plenty of food – but no bread. At the petrol station there is still a $30 limit per day, but no long queues or panic buying yesterday.