Glaciers popular despite washed out bridge

The West Coast's glaciers are still busy with tourists, although they're more difficult to reach at the moment.

The bridge crossing the Wanganui River on State Highway 6 near Harihari was washed out this week and won't reopen until at least Tuesday.

However the road to the glaciers from the south through Haast and Wanaka has no issues.

Glacier Country Tourism Group Chairman Rob Jewell agrees the timing of the bridge washout, at the peak of summer, could have been better.

"But look, Glacier Country enjoys a long summer trading period, the glaciers in terms of an attraction and a destination is very high on visitors' lists to New Zealand."

Mr Jewell says while it's a shame to be losing a few days now, he's sure it'll be a good season.

He says the road in from the south has no issues.

"I'm really pleased to say the State Highway, which I can see outside my office window with the traffic heading north to us from Wanaka/Haast has been quite busy so it's very heartening."

Over 1.2 million tourists visit the glaciers every year, and 500,000 stay in the areas' hotels, motels and backpacker accommodation.

Photo: stock.xchng