Near the small farming community on this section of the Haast Highway we pass through the rain shadow line between two vastly different and spectacular zones.  

Studies
We encounter dramatic change in the vegetation (and often the weather.  Look for the relics of the timber-milling days and evidence of different geology.  We see damage caused to the farmlands from new alluvial fan deposits due bad land management.

See also:
Haast Highway
Desert & Adventure Zone
Glacier & Scenic Zone