Heading South
Opononi
After a lovely stay in Ranjiputa it was time to start our journey Southwards to Matakohe. Travelling days are not our favourite but there was lots to see on the route down. The East is not the most prosperous part of New Zealand. We had a pleasant coffee stop in Kohukohe as we waited for the Ferry to Ramene. We stopped for picnic lunch at Opononi. It looked like a popular family holiday spot. and then drove through the National Park Kauri Forest on a long and winding road. The oldest Kauri tree in the Park is a bit of a celebrity. You have to dip your shoes in disinfectant before taking a track to view it. Not a pleasant experience in sandals! Matakohe used to be the centre of the logging trade but the local Kauri Forest has long since headed for the Sawmill.We had a nice little hut for our overnight at Matakohe. The elderly site owner was planning to sell up and move to the West, cant blame her. It was a long drive to the 4 Square to buy dinner. I eventually settled on two roast dinners from the freezer to be microwaved back at the Hut.
Another driving day loomed as we needed to get through Auckland and on to the sad little town of Tamaranui. We had a coffee stop in Wellsford, North of Auckland. This town, in the West, was far more prosperous. The sat nav. had a fit and we got a bit lost so we saw quite a bit of it. It's where they film the Brokenwood series. We expected to see Mrs Marlow and some criminality but sadly no.
We regained the Motorway which is a Toll Road. You are supposed to pay on-line. We remembered on the journey North but completely forget this time. We only remembered several days later and could have been fined. Miraculously Budget had a already paid the Northern Toll so we were in credit - phew.
Auckland was very busy and we were happy to get through without too much delay. Nice driving over the Harbour Bridge. We got a bit lost around Hamilton on some very confusing diversions but eventually made it across the plains to Tamaranui. It wasn't our favourite day in NZ. Other drivers seemed to be in a big hurry and enormous Utes kept appearing in our rear view mirror.
We found a Motel in the centre of Tamaranui. It was once a prosperous community but its a bit sad today. We opted to eat at the RSA. That was a mistake. It was not good at all.
We were on our way smartly the next Morning heading for Ohakune in the Shadow of Mount Ruapehu.
Our journey was much more pleasant and interesting. We stopped at Raurimu where there is a famous railway spiral. I went to the lookout but could not see the engineering marvel. I know its there though as I rode the train through years ago.
We stopped for our ritual coffee at National Park. The Lady in the coffee hut was friendly, she was excited as her boyfriend was coming back from Japan where he was a snowboard instructor. There is Skiing in the area but our impression was that it was pretty limited. Financial problems and lack of snow? Covid took a heavy financial toll on NZ
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| An old Standard in the Junk Yard on the Old Coach Road |
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| The end of the ride - another coffee stop at the Railway Station |
Ohakune, the Carrot capital of NZ was our base for the next 3 nights. The Rocky Mountain Chalets were very nice and comfortable. It was a nice community. A shady riverside walk took us out of the town on our first day I rented a bike and had a brilliant mountain bike ride on the Old Coach Road. A drive up to the ski resort was interesting, like being on the moon. We found plenty to do in Ohakune and like many places we could easily have stayed longer.
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| Disused Rail viaduct |
It followed the route they used for transport before the railway and decent roads were built. There is also some old Railway infrastructure to explore. Massive viaducts cross deep gorges. At the end there was a coffee hut at a junk yard - perfect.
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| Mount Ruapehu from Ohakune |
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| At the Carrot capital |
Carrot capital
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| Skiing at Ruapehu |
Another look at volcanic Mount Ruapehu
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| TW was intrigued by the pixies at Raetihi
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| Wanganui |
Wanganui was our next port of call. The road down was a bit long and winding for TW but we stopped at a lovely coffee house, Behind the Door on Four, as we approached the City. Nice Bacon butty and chat with the locals. Wanganui has retained a lot of its old charm. It seemed quite a homely place. We visited the other side of the river and you have to take an antiquated lift up to a plateau where they built a new community. I went up the War Memorial Tower. Great view. All over New Zealand you see Memorials to the fallen from the two World Wars. |
| Up on the lift |
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| War Memorial Tower |
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| Art Deco Cinema in Wanganui |
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| TW hits the shops - after closing time 😂 |
Virginia Lake had a pay per view Fountain. Put a coin in the slot and it burst into life.
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| Patea - the harbour |
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| The cliffs at Patea |
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| Mt Egmont near New Plymouth |
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| Tawhiti Museum - meet Frank |
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| Tawhiti Museum |
Anxious not to miss anything we took a run up the Coast towards New Plymouth. Our midway coffee stop was in Patea. This was another town that has seen better days. It was once a thriving Port but looks a bit down at heel today. There was once a large business here freezing meat but that closed in the eighties. We chatted to a Dutch couple who were also touring around. They had bought their car rather than hiring one. Food for thought? They had just come from the South Island and were missing it.
Tawhiti Museum in Hawea was interesting. Nice collection of tractors. Good Cafe too.
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