November 20th-27th
Greg says….. We picked up our Campervan on the 20th November. It’s like driving a truck! I suppose it is a truck as it’s 3.5 tons heavy!
Still you soon get used to the quirks and limitations of he vehicle. It can’t be that difficult to drive as Lucy can drive it quite easily! Don’t tell her I said that!
We left Otahuhu, where we bought the van from a guy called Mike Holt of RV Motorhomes, at around lunchtime. Mike used to be an FX trader, never trusted one of them before!! Anyway he agreed to give us a buy back option which we were happy about, so we left the forecourt satisfied.
We motored through Auckland, and just got to a place called Westgate, which is on the outskirts, and we had to stop for shopping. It seems that everywhere you go you have this shop called ‘The Warehouse’, which is a great place to get bargains, so instead of popping in we stayed there for ages. So much for our aims to get out of the shopping areas as quick as possible! Still we made it to a campsite called Shelly Beach for the first night. It’s an idyllic spot right on the edge of a harbour, with a jetty for fishing right in front. There was one shop which had general stores, and more importantly, cold beer, but not much else. Oh, there were toilets and hot showers, and all this for 16 dollars a night….bargain!! We stayed here for 2 nights, before moving on to the next place. Whilst there, Alistair was mainly out fishing with his new friend Don from Rotorua. Don caught a couple of Gurnard which he gave to us for tea….fresh fish, fantastic! Thanks to Don and June, who were in the next van, for being so nice, and providing a ream of camping information and fish!
On the 22nd we moved up to Dargaville, to a site which had outside cooking facilities, which was great, as we didn’t have to use our Gas. Dargaville was a township , which had a ‘Warehouse’, so we had to make a visit there. In fact Alistair got a fishing rod as this was his new passion.
We left the shop and went up the West coast to Kai Iwi lakes, where we had our first walk. We parked on the side of the road, and proceeded to walk across the fields to Manganoui Bluff. On the way we passed through some fields with cows in, and for some reason one decided to attack me, which the rest of the family found very amusing….I didn’t as I athletically jumped over the fence before it squashed me!
Anyway moving on we went through some more fields then climbed down to the beach, which was awesome (sorry this is my new word since the US). As we got to the beach there was a fresh water waterfall on our right, which fell onto a beach which must have run 50 miles to the south and 50 miles to the north! Apart from us there was one American on the beach, crowded hey? The sand was white, and clean, with the turquoise Tasman Ocean lapping in….looked lovely. However it was cold, and we only managed to get our feet wet. The Sun was shining and the temperature must have been 25 or thereabouts, and the walk back was beckoning, so after walking directly under the waterfall, which very invigorating we made our way back to the van We didn’t go back though, as there were some very inviting lakes to swim in, so we had our first skinny dip of the trip, and swam naked in the lake……..how romantic.
That night was spent at a top 10 campsite in the Kauri Forest near to the Trounsan Kauri Park, which we visited the next day. Kauri Trees are massive trees, which are centuries old. We went to see Tane-mahuta which is the biggest Kauri in New Zealand which is 51 meters high, 16 m round and between 1200 and 200 years old.
We also visited the Kauri Forest visitor centre, which gave more information. For a detailed report please ask Alistair or Rowena.
That night (24th) was spent at Opononi. This is a waterfront park, overlooking the Hokianga harbour. The approach to Opononi was stunning. You emerge from the forest road, and suddenly you have the view of the harbour with the golden sand dunes on the other side. It really is quite spectacular. You can (we didn’t) sandboard down these dunes….perhaps the next time welcome.
From Opononi, we went over the harbour via the Rawane to Kohukohu ferry. Lucy sighted some craft shops in Kohukohu, which meant we had to stop! After speaking with all the residents ( a lot of whom came from South London) we had a coffee in the café on stilts over the water (this place is for sale at a snip at 365,000 dollars = approx 130,000 pounds for the business and accommodation!!). We nearly bought the place there and then!
Moving on, and after a visit to the Pak and Save in Kataia, we went to Ahipara Campsite, a really nice site next to the golf course. We stayed here for 3 days, and really could have stayed longer, it was really nice and relaxing. Whilst there we had two Touch Rugby competitions on the beach with girls versus boys….of course the boys won! We also went on an awesome (there’s that word again) quad bike safari. After 10 minutes practise we set off on these machines which could accelerate as fast as a motor bike, and went onto the beach, that was the easy bit!. Then we slowly tackled the rocks and the rockpools on the edge of the beach, getting more and more tricky as we went. Eventually after some more beach and rocks we stopped on a beach made in paradise. Pure white sand 10 miles from civilisation, with crystal clear waters….absolutely perfect. Here we collected shells, and just stood amazed at the beauty. Even Alistair and Rowena thought the same. Ben and Harry would have loved this ride, as on the way back we went through the sand dunes, which was exhilarating. Having switched on our 4wd we snaked up through the dunes, until we met this vertical drop, which we were expected to go down….who needs sand boards? We sheepishly moved towards the edge of the dune, and then slowly inched forward….soon we were moving with our own momentum, unable to stop down this vertical drop (well it seemed like vertical). It was amazing. Lucy surprised herself and came down shortly afterwards. Her confidence grew and grew, and by the end she was travelling at 65 k’s along the beach. We were sorry when we had to park up and leave. Thanks to Greg Hall at Tua Tua tours, Ahipara for a great ride.
Ahipara has stayed in our minds since we have left….it’s the start of 90 mile beach, where you can drive along it, in fact it’s one of NZ highways. Property prices are minimal when you compare to home, and it’s easy to imagine having the cash from home to invest in a paradise place over here.
Whilst here we met Rochine, Mary and Willie. They are Irish, with Rochine living in Ahipara, and Mary and Willie (Parents) living in Ireland. They were lovely people, and I should like to say thanks for their offer of parking on their section, however we didn’t have time.
We left reluctantly on 28th to go to Cape Reinga
Still you soon get used to the quirks and limitations of he vehicle. It can’t be that difficult to drive as Lucy can drive it quite easily! Don’t tell her I said that!
We left Otahuhu, where we bought the van from a guy called Mike Holt of RV Motorhomes, at around lunchtime. Mike used to be an FX trader, never trusted one of them before!! Anyway he agreed to give us a buy back option which we were happy about, so we left the forecourt satisfied.
We motored through Auckland, and just got to a place called Westgate, which is on the outskirts, and we had to stop for shopping. It seems that everywhere you go you have this shop called ‘The Warehouse’, which is a great place to get bargains, so instead of popping in we stayed there for ages. So much for our aims to get out of the shopping areas as quick as possible! Still we made it to a campsite called Shelly Beach for the first night. It’s an idyllic spot right on the edge of a harbour, with a jetty for fishing right in front. There was one shop which had general stores, and more importantly, cold beer, but not much else. Oh, there were toilets and hot showers, and all this for 16 dollars a night….bargain!! We stayed here for 2 nights, before moving on to the next place. Whilst there, Alistair was mainly out fishing with his new friend Don from Rotorua. Don caught a couple of Gurnard which he gave to us for tea….fresh fish, fantastic! Thanks to Don and June, who were in the next van, for being so nice, and providing a ream of camping information and fish!
On the 22nd we moved up to Dargaville, to a site which had outside cooking facilities, which was great, as we didn’t have to use our Gas. Dargaville was a township , which had a ‘Warehouse’, so we had to make a visit there. In fact Alistair got a fishing rod as this was his new passion.
We left the shop and went up the West coast to Kai Iwi lakes, where we had our first walk. We parked on the side of the road, and proceeded to walk across the fields to Manganoui Bluff. On the way we passed through some fields with cows in, and for some reason one decided to attack me, which the rest of the family found very amusing….I didn’t as I athletically jumped over the fence before it squashed me!
Anyway moving on we went through some more fields then climbed down to the beach, which was awesome (sorry this is my new word since the US). As we got to the beach there was a fresh water waterfall on our right, which fell onto a beach which must have run 50 miles to the south and 50 miles to the north! Apart from us there was one American on the beach, crowded hey? The sand was white, and clean, with the turquoise Tasman Ocean lapping in….looked lovely. However it was cold, and we only managed to get our feet wet. The Sun was shining and the temperature must have been 25 or thereabouts, and the walk back was beckoning, so after walking directly under the waterfall, which very invigorating we made our way back to the van We didn’t go back though, as there were some very inviting lakes to swim in, so we had our first skinny dip of the trip, and swam naked in the lake……..how romantic.
That night was spent at a top 10 campsite in the Kauri Forest near to the Trounsan Kauri Park, which we visited the next day. Kauri Trees are massive trees, which are centuries old. We went to see Tane-mahuta which is the biggest Kauri in New Zealand which is 51 meters high, 16 m round and between 1200 and 200 years old.
We also visited the Kauri Forest visitor centre, which gave more information. For a detailed report please ask Alistair or Rowena.
That night (24th) was spent at Opononi. This is a waterfront park, overlooking the Hokianga harbour. The approach to Opononi was stunning. You emerge from the forest road, and suddenly you have the view of the harbour with the golden sand dunes on the other side. It really is quite spectacular. You can (we didn’t) sandboard down these dunes….perhaps the next time welcome.
From Opononi, we went over the harbour via the Rawane to Kohukohu ferry. Lucy sighted some craft shops in Kohukohu, which meant we had to stop! After speaking with all the residents ( a lot of whom came from South London) we had a coffee in the café on stilts over the water (this place is for sale at a snip at 365,000 dollars = approx 130,000 pounds for the business and accommodation!!). We nearly bought the place there and then!
Moving on, and after a visit to the Pak and Save in Kataia, we went to Ahipara Campsite, a really nice site next to the golf course. We stayed here for 3 days, and really could have stayed longer, it was really nice and relaxing. Whilst there we had two Touch Rugby competitions on the beach with girls versus boys….of course the boys won! We also went on an awesome (there’s that word again) quad bike safari. After 10 minutes practise we set off on these machines which could accelerate as fast as a motor bike, and went onto the beach, that was the easy bit!. Then we slowly tackled the rocks and the rockpools on the edge of the beach, getting more and more tricky as we went. Eventually after some more beach and rocks we stopped on a beach made in paradise. Pure white sand 10 miles from civilisation, with crystal clear waters….absolutely perfect. Here we collected shells, and just stood amazed at the beauty. Even Alistair and Rowena thought the same. Ben and Harry would have loved this ride, as on the way back we went through the sand dunes, which was exhilarating. Having switched on our 4wd we snaked up through the dunes, until we met this vertical drop, which we were expected to go down….who needs sand boards? We sheepishly moved towards the edge of the dune, and then slowly inched forward….soon we were moving with our own momentum, unable to stop down this vertical drop (well it seemed like vertical). It was amazing. Lucy surprised herself and came down shortly afterwards. Her confidence grew and grew, and by the end she was travelling at 65 k’s along the beach. We were sorry when we had to park up and leave. Thanks to Greg Hall at Tua Tua tours, Ahipara for a great ride.
Ahipara has stayed in our minds since we have left….it’s the start of 90 mile beach, where you can drive along it, in fact it’s one of NZ highways. Property prices are minimal when you compare to home, and it’s easy to imagine having the cash from home to invest in a paradise place over here.
Whilst here we met Rochine, Mary and Willie. They are Irish, with Rochine living in Ahipara, and Mary and Willie (Parents) living in Ireland. They were lovely people, and I should like to say thanks for their offer of parking on their section, however we didn’t have time.
We left reluctantly on 28th to go to Cape Reinga
posted by greg and lucy | 10:31 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home