Guy Menzies landing Hari Hari

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DescriptionGuy Menzies completed the first solo crossing of the Tasman Sea on January 1931. He landed his single engine Avro Avian plane, Southern Cross Junior, in the La Fontaine swamp near Harihari, mistaking it for a grassy paddock. The plane tipped over, an ignominious end to a record-breaking flight. Initially, local residents refused to believe that he had flown across the Tasman Sea, and were only convinced when he produced a sandwich bag from Sydney airport.

The landing spot near Harihari is marked by a memorial. The swamp has been drained, and now actually is a grassy paddock.Date of PhotoBetween 1st January 1931 and 31st January 1931Map^[1]ContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)Hari HariPersonGuy MenziesLandmark (Place)La Fontaine swampEventFirst Tasman flight

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Category TagDisaster Last edited by: Tracey Butler

MenuBy Topic | WC History | Disasters Last edited by: Tracey Butler

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LinkGuy Menzies flight Hari HariCommentsHeather Newby
July 19, 2014
Guy Menzies completed the first solo crossing of the Tasman Sea on January 1931. He landed his single engine Avro Avian plane, Southern Cross Junior, in the La Fontaine swamp near Harihari, mistaking it for a grassy paddock. The plane tipped over, an ignominious end to a record-breaking flight. Initially, local residents refused to believe that he had flown across the Tasman Sea, and were only convinced when he produced a sandwich bag from Sydney airport.
The landing spot near Harihari is marked by a memorial. The swamp has been drained, and now actually is a grassy paddock.
Heather Newby's photo.
Like · Comment · 176
17 people like this.

Peter Creagh The Guy Menzies Memorial in the main street of Harihari. I remember my father showing me a black and white photo of the crash but it was not as close up as these.
Peter Creagh's photo.
July 19, 2014 at 5:28pm · Like · 1

Peter Robertson A family friend was among the first to reach him when he landed.He asked"where am I" on being told he then said "what country is this"
July 20, 2014 at 9:30am · Like · 1

Jenny Leach I have the book about guy Menzies abvery interesting
July 20, 2014 at 10:55am · Like

Dyan Hansen Sunday drive: If you head down Wanganui Flat Road in Hari Hari, past the old dairy cooperative building that has been renovated into a rather groovy place to live (http://www.realestate.co.nz/1912636), turn into La Fontaine Road, follow the sign posted...See More
Dyan Hansen's photo.
July 21, 2014 at 10:09pm · Edited · Like · 1

Dyan Hansen The kiosk.
Dyan Hansen's photo.
July 21, 2014 at 10:09pm · Like · 1

Rosemary Beeby My grandfather and grandmother Ralph and Eva Cox entertained Guy for supper at the Hokitika postmasters house and Grandad put the first toll call to Australia for GUy. My mother and uncle also feature in some photos in the book.
July 22, 2014 at 11:23pm · Like · 1
Laura Mills Detlaff

Kerry Keating Well documented history.
7 May at 19:45 · Like · 3

David Lindsay I see they've made a memorial to this event on the site of the old town swimming pool
7 May at 19:48 · Like · 1

Kerry Keating A swamp was the town swimming pool David?????
7 May at 19:49 · Like · 2

David Lindsay Lol noooooo. ...they have built a memorial in the township on the old swimming pool site where we used to swim as kids
7 May at 19:52 · Like · 3

Kerry Keating Sounds better mate. Lol.
7 May at 20:10 · Like · 1

Marktrish Jones used to live on the la fontaine farm, a great place to be bought up
7 May at 20:45 · Like · 4

Rosemary Beeby My Grandfather Ralph Cox entertained Guy Menzies and put through the first toll call to Australia from the Post Office in Hokitika where he was the postmaster.
7 May at 22:07 · Like · 2

Roger Howell My old classmate from GHS Neville Cameron did it a few years ago in a Cessna 150 with extra fuel tanks on the seats. Landed at Haast much to the annoyance of NZ Customs Dept.
7 May at 22:45 · Like · 2

Pete Hines now i know where and how you learnt to park Marktrish Jones
8 May at 07:24 · Like · 1

Bernard Hempseed Dick Smith of electronics fame did a re-enactment a few years ago. Landed at "Hari-Hari International Airport."

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