Stratford to Raglan

 

Thurs 19 Nov

It was sunny as we said farewell to Rodney and Judith. It was great to catch up with them and enjoy their hospitality. The Stratford Glockenspiel Clock was chiming as we drove down the main street for fuel and dumping. On to the “Forgotten World Highway”. This road links Stratford and Taumarunui. It is not used very often as it is very windy and isolated.

The first part was thru the unusual Taranaki farming country which is very lumpy, hilly and very green, then into the bush, very much like the S.I. West Coast. It took us over 2 hours to drive the winding 70kms to Whangamomona where we booked into a small camping ground for the night. A great drive! The Whangamomona Hotel is a real landmark, so we walked there and had a drink. The town is very cute.

Fri 20 Nov

We drove on thru the “Forgotten Word Highway” and diverted for 15km up the Mt Damper road to visit the Damper Falls. It a pleasant 2km walk thru farmlands and bush to the falls. They are the second highest falls in the North Island and quite spectacular. 

Back on the “Highway” and thru a tunnel and 12kms of gravel to eventually meet up with the Wanganui River at a DOC camp where we stayed the night. We had drinks with the two other groups camping there, a couple our age (Colin and Frances) in a camper and a younger couple in a tent, kayaking for 4 days down the river. Colin and Frances knew the area well and convinced us to use a less used road tomorrow back down to the west coast. Only short sections of gravel they said!

Sat 21 Nov

It was only a short drive to the end of the “Forgotten World Highway” to Taumarunui where we fuelled up and did a quick shop. Do not know when we will find food and fuel again. The first part of the new route (suggested last night) was sealed but rough and windy. The seal ran out and we drove 30kms on gravel which, to be fair, was reasonably smooth. The road followed a series of spectacular gorges thru bush and very isolated country, much like the last two days. It was 100kms from Taumarunui to the coast, but well worth the effort.

We stopped for the night at a free site at the mouth of the Tongaporutu River. We found a nice spot overlooking the river. Colin and Frances pulled in to our camp later in the day.

Sun 22 Nov

As it was low tide, we met Frances and walked out to the beach along to the “Three Sisters” a series of unusual rock formations with beautiful reflections.

We drove on and left the main road at Awakino and eventually rejoined the coast at Waikawau to see the tunnel which lead to a beautiful beach, another Colin and Frances suggestion.

They met us there and we walked thru the tunnel, built to transport wool bales onto the beach and then out to waiting ships in lighters. Another spectacular black sand west coast beach. We continued past Marokopa and Te Anga to a rest area where we could overnight at the Mangapohue Natural Bridge.

 It was a short walk thru the bush to another spectacular view of where the river had carved out the limestone forming two arches. At 9:30pm we walked the track again to see the lovely sight of glow worms lighting the path.

Mon 23 Nov

It was a quiet night considering how close to the road we were. It was a short drive back to Te Anga. On the way we stopped and walked into the Marokopa Falls. They were huge with lots of water, amazing that we had never heard of them.

 

We then followed around the edge of the Kawhia Harbour eventually arriving at the town of Kawhia
where we were to meet Lynne and Gary for a couple of days. After inspecting the two camping grounds, we decided to stay at a motel that had some great powered sites overlooking the harbour. Lynne and Gary arrived and after lunch we walked to the town, wharf and waterfront. An extended drinks section led to a very later dinner!!

Tues 24 Nov

Rain forecast for later in the day, so we sat outside enjoying the view. Looking at the roof of “Joy” I realized that, somewhere on our travels, the cowling from the heater had come off. As the rain would go straight down the chimney, I borrowed a ladder and attached a baked bean can as a temporary fix. We were forced inside when it started to drizzle. The forecast for the next two days is lousy!! During a break in the weather we went for another walk ending with a coffee at the only café in town. A game of “Sequence”, a new game to us, in Bodger’s van before pre dinner drinks as the rain set in.

Wed 25 Nov 

We followed Gary and Lynne out of Kawhia, thru hilly country with mist and a bit of rain, to Pirongia. We struck torrential rain as we headed up the road towards Raglan and pulled into the Raglan Club where we will stay for two nights. The Club is right on the main street and as the rain had stopped, we walked around the town. Very much a surfie vibe with alternative clothing shops, cafes and bars. It reminded us of a small version of Byron Bay in Aussie. In the afternoon the weather cleared, and we walked over a bridge, thru the camping ground and around the harbour beach returning across the airfield.

Thru 26 Nov

Rain started again this morning, so we drove to the main surfing beach for a quick walk before parking with a view over a very typical west coast beach. As the rain had set in again, we returned to the Raglan Club carpark for lunch.  A rainy afternoon. We did some research and decided to have dinner at the lovely Harbour View Hotel. It was a good decision as the food and atmosphere was great.