Port Waikato to Home

 Fri 27 Nov

We said goodbye to Lynne and Gary as they went back home to Papamoa Beach. After a shop and fuel, we headed out of Raglan and followed Highway 22, a windy and undulating road thru several small communities for about 80kms until we reached the Waikato River and drove 25kms down to the mouth at Port Waikato. We checked into the only camp and after lunch walked along the road to  Sunset Beach. There was a cool wind blowing from the north and the tide was low. Our plan is to bike along the beach tomorrow. We watched the Blackcaps v West Indies T20 on TVNZ!!!

Sat 28 Nov

After laundry duties we rode the bikes along the road to the only shop and wharf. There was a great reserve which led down to the muddy Waikato River. When the tide was lower in the afternoon, we rode bake to Sunset Beach. Our plan was to ride along the beach to the river mouth and then ride up the river to our camp. The ride down the beach was great on hard sand with a stiff wind up our tails. Unfortunately, when we got around corner and started to ride back up the river the sand became very soft. We had no choice but to head back up the beach into the very strong wind, about 4.5kms. Very character building!! It was sunny all day and our camp was sheltered from the wind so we had drinks outside.

Sun 29 Nov

Rain started early in the morning. We left camp and drove out of Port Waikato, crossed the Waikato River and joined Highway 1 at Pokeno. Our hope was to avoid HW1 but really had no alternatives on this bit of our trip. The new Waikato Expressway is very good and we were bypassing the centre of Hamilton in no time and onto Highway 3. Thru Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, and on to Te Kuiti where we found a park at the Waitomo Club for the night. It rained the whole way but cleared in the afternoon and we walked to the Colin Meads statue in the main street and then thru the Anzac Gardens.

Mon 30 Nov

It was raining in the morning when we left Te Kuiti and headed down highway 30 thru Bennydale and bypassed Mangakino and on to the “41” down the west side of Lake Taupo towards Turangi. We stopped for the night at a motel with camping. This camp had some thermal pools and we had a dash thru the rain for a dip. Very relaxing. The rain stopped while we were in the pools.

Tues 1 Dec

Very strong wind buffeted us, but at least it was not raining, as we drove the short distance to Turangi where we fuelled up. The sun was out when we arrived at Whakapapa Village and booked into the camp for 2 nights. We walked down to the Visitors Centre and decided to do three walks while we in the Tongariro National Park. As it was a cold wind but sunny, and cloud was covering Mt Ruapehu we decided to do a sheltered walk of 7kms down the banks of the Whakapapanui River. It was a great walk thru nice bush. Back at our campsite which is in the bush, we sat in the sun for a read.

Wed 2 Dec

It was a nice fine day, with no wind and clear skies, as we set off for the first of the two walks we will do today. A beautiful walk towards Mt Ngauruhoe before entering the beech forest and following the Wairere Stream. The Taranaki Falls were spectacular before heading up towards Mt Ruapehu and returning towards the Chateau Tongariro and our camp. Total distance 7kms. A quick lunch and back following a different track to the Silica Rapids.  The first part of the walk was thru the bush, but we eventually climbed out and thru the shrublands to the very unusual Silica Rapids where the stream has coloured the rocks cream. The return track was over old lava follows and ended at the road to the ski fields and we had to walk down this for 2kms back to camp. Total distance 7.5 kms. No wonder we were feeling a bit weary!! After a rest we decided we would walk down to the Chateau for a drink. We bowled into the main lounge and sat with a great view of Mt Ngauruhoe enjoying a wine. The Chateau is still very grand but, like a beautiful older lady, is starting to show a few wrinkles.

Thurs 3 Dec

We woke to misty rain which got heavier as we headed out of the National Park and a short drive down the “4” to Raetihi where we parked at the Cosmopolitan Club for the night. The rain stopped during the drive and the sun came out for a lovely afternoon. Not much to see in the town but we walked to a Ratana Church. Spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the sun.

Fri 4 Dec

We drove down the “4” thru nice farmland in the valleys and forestry on the hills. This area has been badly affected by slips which had resulted in the road being closed for some time, but it is now mostly repaired. The 90km drive seemed to be mostly down hill as we left the central plateau to the coast at Wanganui. We did the last shop for this trip and then drove to a camp on the coast at Castlecliff. Val did a huge laundry and we walked to the beach. There was a very strong N/W blowing the black sand around. Not very inviting, but this area would be great on a nice day. It was a bit more sheltered in the camp.

Sat 5 Dec

Overnight we looked at the weather forecast for our Cook Strait Crossing booked for Tuesday. Gale force winds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!! At breakfast time Val phoned Bluebridge and re-booked for 8:00am Sunday morning.  We decided to drive thru to the NZMCA park at Plimmerton for our early check-in now on Sunday. Just out of Wanganui we drove 2kms to Ratana Pa and church. This is where the politicians go in January to release their Maori policies. The Ratana Church was beautiful, and the Ratana Brass Band was playing Christmas carols. Well worth the diversion.

 Huge traffic hold up before Otaki due to a Christmas market (we think) and another of 1 hour between Paraparaumu and Paekakariki, due to roadworks where the new Transmission Gully road will join HW1. No one working there just two lanes narrowing to one!! It was a much quieter night at the NZMCA park as we parked well away from the road.

Sun 6 Dec

Up at 6:00am for the 22km drive to the ferry. It was a beautiful morning waiting in line and having breakfast on the wharf with a very smooth crossing to follow. We drove down to Kaikoura and stopped at the new NZMCA park at the north end of the town. Not so many stops as roadworkers do not work on Sundays. We will drive home tomorrow morning. We have had a great trip exploring a part on NZ we have not been to before. The weather has been patchy and surprisingly cool. Our average cost/night was $20.