Melbourne to NSW 2023

 Wed 10 May – Taxi pickup at 3:30 and an uneventful flight to Melbourne where were met by the guy from StoreMyVan and taken to “Andy”. All good, but unfortunately we have some uninvited guests. (mice!!). They had made a bit of a mess which we will sort out in the next few days. A 60km drive across the northern outer suburbs of Melbourne to Doncaster where we did a huge shop before checking to a camp. Val washed some mouse infected items and we remade our bed from scratch. In bed before 9:00pm, strange for us!

Thurs 11 May – We drove down the west side of Melbourne stopping at a car wash, and a Bunnings for mouse bait. Out onto the South Gippsland Hwy and across the bridge to Phillip Island. Checked into a nice camp and walked thru to a sheltered harbour beach. All very good so we decided to stay here for two nights.

Fri 12 May – Had to change sites for the extra night and did some minor fixes and clean ups from our messy guests. In the afternoon we biked along the esplanade to the largest town on Phillip Island, Cowes. Back at our camp we had a swim in a great heated indoor pool.

Sat 13 May – Checked out of the camp and drove to the famous Phillip Island GP motor racing circuit. There was a National Speed Series meeting in progress and we parked outside the circuit at an area called “Siberia” where we got a great view of a large part of the circuit. Lots of classes trying to record qualifying times. Highlight was the GT World Challenge Sportscars and the Formula 5000 open wheelers.

Back on the road, off Phillip Island and along the Bass Hwy to Cape Paterson to a camp overlooking the surf beach with an historic rock swimming pool. A lovely coastline.

Sun 14 May – We drove around the coastline to Inverloch and thru farmland to the start of the Wilsons Promontory National Park. This park is the southern most point of mainland Australia. We camped in the park at Tidal River. In the afternoon we followed one of the many tracks to Norman’s Point with great views of the beaches and islands, returning along the beach to our camp. (6kms)

Mon 15 May – Another beautiful day. We packed our lunch and set off to Squeaky Beach first crossing the foot bridge at Tidal River, climbing up the ridge to Pillar Point, with spectacular views of Norman and Squeaky Beaches and down to Squeaky Beach. It is well named as all the other beaches are golden sand but this beach is fine white powder sand and indeed Squeaky. We ate our lunch and climbed back up the ridge and returned to our camp via the mouth of Tidal River even came across a Wombat, a slow moving small bear- like creature. Another great walk of 6kms.

Tues 16 May – It rained hard in the night and a much cooler morning as we drove off Wilson’s Promontory and out of the National Park. We followed the coastline east and stopped for the night at Port Albert in a free area overlooking the port. The sun came out and we rugged up for a walk around the harbour (mixture of pleasure and fishing boats) and along the waterfront. A pretty small village. No power, so a bit cool in the evening!

Wed 17 May – We continued east along some back roads to Seaspray and then along the coast of Ninety Mile Beach. Near the town of Golden we stopped at another free camping area. The sun was out and we enjoyed some time outside before walking along Ninety Mile Beach stretching as far as the eye could see in both directions. Outside in the sun until 4:00pm.

Thurs 18 May – Very cold outside and cool inside when we woke. Soon warmed up as we followed the South Gippsland Hwy thru the towns of Sale and Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance, a large tourist and fishing town at the entrance of the large Gippsland lake. Water on all sides (the lake and the sea). We are at a camp where we cleaned out the last of the mouse dirt and threw out two bags. Went on a short walk along the lake frontage.

Fri 19 May – Shopped on our way out of town and crossed another arm of Lake Gippsland and drove to a small town of Nowa Nowa where we turned inland on the Snowy Mtn Hwy. We ended up in the Buchan Valley at a National Park where there are some caves. Our camp was under oak trees which have turned golden. We had pre-booked a guided tour of one of the caves and were joined by an Indian family, so just a small group. We have toured many limestone caves but this one was right up there as one of the best. A great 45 minute underground experience.

Sat 20 May – After a short walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl, we left the National Park and drove back out of the hills thru mostly rain forest, crossing the Snowy River, to the small town of Cann River where we camped without power. We walked back into town for a drink at the pub but it was closed. Settled for home baked biscuits at the bakery. Found another dead mouse taking the total to three and hopefully the last!!

Sun 21 May – A cold day as we drove in sunshine and rain, crossing the Victoria/NSW border to Eden, a small town on the coast. To our surprise this part of Victoria is very isolated. There only a couple of very small towns on the 300kms of hilly forested road between Lakes Entrance and Eden. We are at a camp close to the beach south of Eden. Sunny but windy and heavy showers of rain. We got caught in one when we made a quick dash to the beach. Tomorrow we head inland, into the NSW mountains and the ACT.

Matata to Koromiko and Home

 13 April – Drove east to the great beach camp on Matata. Paul tried his hand at surf casting while we watched, read and enjoyed the view of the sea and Whakaari/White Island on the horizon belching steam.

14 April – Drove towards Edgecumbe and onto the “30” to Lake Rotoma to find the camping spot closed because of flooding. Carried on to Lake Rotorua and headed around the north side to Hamurana and stopped by the lakes edge. Had lunch but decided it was not the greatest place to overnight. Contacted a POP very close by and drove onto a sloping paddock with two flat areas to camp. Great views across the lake with the city of Rotorua in the distance. Hens running around us and hopping into the campers.

15 April – Breakfast outside enjoying the view before carefully backing back down the hill. A very short drive to the large NZMCA park at Ngongataha. In a garage we found the beautifully restored Number 1 house truck.

 Val and I cycled along bike paths to the Rotorua water front, the Government Historic Bath House and the Kuirau Thermal area. On our way back my chain link broke. We walked and scooted to a bike shop where they fixed the problem. A 25km trip!

16 April – Drove back into the city so that Lynne and Paul could see the sites. Another short drive to Lake Okareka where we camped in a DOC reserve with great views over this small lake. In the afternoon we walked a great bush track back to Boyes Beach.

17 April – Drove out of Lake Okareka, back thru Rotorua and across the volcanic plateau to Taupo. We parked L & P’s van at the NZMCA park and took our van into Taupo. Walked along the water front and the shops returning for lunch at a cafe. Back to the camp which holds about 200 vans.

18 April – Around the east side of Lake Taupo to Turangi. We shopped and our camp for the night is a rundown place but has free private hot water pools. It drizzled off on on all day.

19 April – Drove into the Tongariro National Park and up towards Mt Ruapehu and the Château for our camp at Whakapapa. As we were early, we walked the track to the Taranaki Falls. Low cloud spoiling our view of the mountains but caught a glimpse of Ngauruhoe.

20 April – A short walk up the Ridge Track for a view of the mountains but still cloudy. We packed our lunch and set off up the track to the Silica Rapids where we had lunch before crossing the face of Ruapehu to join up to the ski road and back to our camp. Unfortunately the Château is closed with little hope of ever opening again!!

21 April - Still cloudy with no mountain views. We drove up the ski field for a look in thick fog. Back thru Whakapapa for another short walk to the Tawhai Falls before driving out of the National Park, thru Ohakune to Waiouru and the Army Museum. Very interesting. Taihape for lunch and a POP at Makio Farm on the banks of the Rangitikei River. A great place with dogs and farm stuff everywhere. We walked down to the suspension bridge across the river. Drinks outside under the awnings as rain set in.

22 April – Rained most of the night and on our drive to the coast at Tangimoana and a small waterlogged camp! Donned our jackets and walked in the drizzle to the beach. Ended up dodging huge puddles and even removed our shoes to get across a creek. Lots to dry out!

23 April – Slightly better today weather-wise but still some drizzle. South thru Foxton and stopped for the night at a POP in Waikanae. A walk to the beach returning via some lagoons with houses around them.

24 April – Filled in some time at the Paraparaumu beach watching the waves before driving to the Plimmerton NZMCA Park. We will be here for two nights and go into Wellington City tomorrow. A quick walk to the train station in a cold southerly. Ferries cancelled today. Hopeful it will be OK on Wednesday!!

25 April – Walked to the train station and used our Gold Card for a free trip into the city. Walked up to Phoebe’s student accommodation where she showed us around. We all wandered the city to the Cable Car and again our Gold Card got us to the top. Lunch at a great restaurant at the top, back down to the city, and a walk to Parliament and the Beehive. We farewelled Phoebe and caught the train back to our camp. A great day with fine weather.

26 April – No delaying text from Bluebridge, so we drove to their terminal and were promptly load on to the ferry. A great smooth crossing despite the grim rough seas forecasted. We arrived in Picton 1/2 hour early and drove back to the camp at Koromiko where we had celebratory drinks. Some much for the bad weather forecasts!!! Another waste of “Sea legs”! Driving back to Kaiapoi tomorrow. We will publish this tonight.

New Plymouth to Mt Maunganui

 1 April – New Plymouth. Strong wind and rough seas with rain. Paul and I walked down to the boat harbour below us and around the shops and bars/restaurants. Heavy rain set in again in the evening.

2 April – Sunny this morning. We drove to Pukekura Park and walked past the cricket ground into the gardens, fountain, and waterfall thru to the Bowl of Brooklyn.

 Drove to Rotomana Lake and walked to the Te Rewa Rewa bridge. The mountain was covered with cloud and there is scaffold up as they are painting the bridge. We continued up Mt Taranaki and met Rodney, Judith, Noel and Rose, (friends from Inglewood) for lunch at the Volcanoview Restaurant. A good catch up with them. Down and on to the Stratford Show Grounds for the night.

3 April – Shopped, and watched the Stratford Glockenspiel Clock do its Romeo and Juliet thing before dumping and starting the Forgotten World Highway. Fascinating country. We stopped at Whangamomona camp for the night and walked down to the pub for a drink. The publican was closing up but served us drinks thru the window on the veranda. Walked the town (2 minutes max) and went into Dolly Grays shop (hand made stuff). It rained early evening.

4 April – Beautiful morning as we continued on the Forgotten World Highway, over saddles and even thru a tunnel. We headed up Mt Damper and walked a track to the Damper Falls.

We had checked with Dolly Gray who assured us that the road thru to Tongaporutu was ok, some gravel and a very steep decent. At Tongaporutu we found a spot with great views on the river mouth. After lunch, at low tide, we walked around to the Three Sisters, pinnacles of rock left behind when the cliffs had eroded. A great sunset.

5 April – A nice walk this morning along the river bank before setting off to Marakopa stopping off at Waikawau Beach where there is a tunnel thru to the beach dug by the farmers as access to the ships. As ships sank in the rough sea the whole thing was a waste of time! 

A long drive thru winding and sometimes gravel roads to Marokopa where we stayed on a farm with a lovely couple and their 4 kids.

6 April – Some drizzle as we drove up to the Marakopa Falls. A great sight, and then on to the Piri Piri Caves, worth a visit and finally to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge. We were held up for about 1/2 hour at road works before going thru Waitomo and on to Otorohanga. Suddenly there were people everywhere, a contrast to the last few days! We are camped at an NZMCA park.

7 April – Thru to Kawhia, a lovely harbour town, where we will stay for a couple of nights as it is Easter. We walked to the small town and wharf, watched the locals fishing and jumping off the wharf and had an ice-cream. After lunch we walked as far as we could ending up at the marae. Val felt crook in the evening.

8 April – Beautiful morning with Val back to full health. Breakfast outside. We walked back to the town as there was a market on. Turned out to be the Maori Women’s League in the hall. Nothing there! Back at our camp we took our chairs down to the waterfront for a read and lunch. BBQ sausages etc for dinner and a few extra drinks to celebrate our half trip.

9 April – A slow trip out of Kawhia stopping for views of the harbour and the Waikato river.

 Coffee at Te Awamutu and overnighting in a strange POP in Putaruru. All ok though. A walk around the closed town but sampled some cheese at the only place open.

10 April – Decided to detour thru Tirau and got caught up in the Easter Monday traffic returning to Auckland. There is a clock shop in this town which fascinated Paul. Over the Kaimai’s to Tauranga and our beach front camp site at Mount Maunganui. Gary Bodger picked us up and drove us to their new home in a retirement village, where we explored and then had drinks and a great dinner.

11 April – Lynne and Paul walked around the mount while Val and I climbed to the top. Great views. After lunch and a rest, we walked the length of the main beach. It started raining at 4:00pm and turned nasty with even hail before before settling down later in the night.

12 April – Raining off and on in the morning. We took Seddon’s camper to town to shop. Gary will pick us up again for dinner with Glen, Tania and their girls.