New Zealand
We flew to Auckland and collected our motorhome.
4th September
Drove to Manukau Top 10 Campsite. Most disappointing, campsite was dirty, facilities were poor and it cost us $40 for the night!
5th September
Visited Mangawhai Bay, the Hen and Chicken Islands, named by Captain James Cook in 1769, and Whangarei Heritage Park.
The park has a collection of historic buildings demonstrating Northland’s early colonial architectural history between the late 1850s to the early 1900s. Dr Alexander Clarke and his family arrived from England and built a kauri homestead and out buildings including a barn, butchery, laundry, dairy and milking parlour. Three generations of the Clarke family owned the property and worked it as a farm for nearly 90 years.
Believed to be the smallest octagonal chapel in New Zealand, and possibly the world, Oruaiti Chapel is made from a single kauri log. It was originally situated in Doubtless Bay in the Far North. The Chapel was moved to the Heritage Park in the 1980s and is used for special occasions such as weddings, christenings and seasonal celebrations.
Whangarei Women’s Jail c1900 was originally located between Clyde and Cameron Streets in Whangarei. This basic two cell women’s jail demonstrates life on the other side of the law in the early 1900s. The Women’s Jail stood beside an eight-cell jail for men and the police sergeant’s house. Stayed overnight at Uretiti DOC Campground.
4th September
Drove to Manukau Top 10 Campsite. Most disappointing, campsite was dirty, facilities were poor and it cost us $40 for the night!
5th September
Visited Mangawhai Bay, the Hen and Chicken Islands, named by Captain James Cook in 1769, and Whangarei Heritage Park.
The park has a collection of historic buildings demonstrating Northland’s early colonial architectural history between the late 1850s to the early 1900s. Dr Alexander Clarke and his family arrived from England and built a kauri homestead and out buildings including a barn, butchery, laundry, dairy and milking parlour. Three generations of the Clarke family owned the property and worked it as a farm for nearly 90 years.
Believed to be the smallest octagonal chapel in New Zealand, and possibly the world, Oruaiti Chapel is made from a single kauri log. It was originally situated in Doubtless Bay in the Far North. The Chapel was moved to the Heritage Park in the 1980s and is used for special occasions such as weddings, christenings and seasonal celebrations.
Whangarei Women’s Jail c1900 was originally located between Clyde and Cameron Streets in Whangarei. This basic two cell women’s jail demonstrates life on the other side of the law in the early 1900s. The Women’s Jail stood beside an eight-cell jail for men and the police sergeant’s house. Stayed overnight at Uretiti DOC Campground.
6th September
Visited the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa before heading to the Treaty Ground at Waitangi. Designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it is one of few toilet blocks seen as an international work of art and a tourist attraction in its own right!
The Treaty House is the former house of the British Resident, James Busby. The Treaty of Waitangi, the document that established the British Colony of New Zealand, was signed in the grounds of the Treaty House on 6 February 1840. The grounds had previously been the site of other important events, such as the signing of the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand in 1835. The house and grounds remained in private hands until 1932, when they were donated to the nation.
As well as the Treaty House we viewed the flagpole, Meeting House and Maori War Canoe. We also enjoyed a Maori show with traditional dance and music and an opportunity to practice the "Haka".
Overnight on the car park at Paiha.
Visited the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa before heading to the Treaty Ground at Waitangi. Designed by the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it is one of few toilet blocks seen as an international work of art and a tourist attraction in its own right!
The Treaty House is the former house of the British Resident, James Busby. The Treaty of Waitangi, the document that established the British Colony of New Zealand, was signed in the grounds of the Treaty House on 6 February 1840. The grounds had previously been the site of other important events, such as the signing of the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand in 1835. The house and grounds remained in private hands until 1932, when they were donated to the nation.
As well as the Treaty House we viewed the flagpole, Meeting House and Maori War Canoe. We also enjoyed a Maori show with traditional dance and music and an opportunity to practice the "Haka".
Overnight on the car park at Paiha.
7th September
Cape Reinga is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of North Island. It is the meeting point of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. En route there, we took a look at the Ninety Mile Beach (actually only 55 miles long) but decided we were not going to drive it!
Cape Maria van Diemen, named by Abel Tasman in 1643 after the wife of his patron,is the westernmost point of North Island.
Overnight at Pukenui Holiday Park.
Cape Reinga is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of North Island. It is the meeting point of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. En route there, we took a look at the Ninety Mile Beach (actually only 55 miles long) but decided we were not going to drive it!
Cape Maria van Diemen, named by Abel Tasman in 1643 after the wife of his patron,is the westernmost point of North Island.
Overnight at Pukenui Holiday Park.
8th September
Took the Hokianga Vehicle Ferry across the harbour to Rawena.Visited Waipoua Forest to view the kauri trees, including "Tane Mahuta", the largest and "Te Matua", the second largest living kauri trees.
Stayed overnight at Waipoua Forest Camp.
Took the Hokianga Vehicle Ferry across the harbour to Rawena.Visited Waipoua Forest to view the kauri trees, including "Tane Mahuta", the largest and "Te Matua", the second largest living kauri trees.
Stayed overnight at Waipoua Forest Camp.
9th September
Visited Matakohe and the Kauri Museum. Overnight at Matakohe Holiday Park.
Visited Matakohe and the Kauri Museum. Overnight at Matakohe Holiday Park.
10th September
Drove to the Coromandel Peninsula, visiting Whangapoua Harbour and Mercury Bay.
Parked overnight at Simpson's Beach, Whankari.
Drove to the Coromandel Peninsula, visiting Whangapoua Harbour and Mercury Bay.
Parked overnight at Simpson's Beach, Whankari.
11th September
Visited Cook's Cove, Shakespeare Cliff and Cathedral Cove.
After Cook's first landing in New Zealand on October 8, 1769, he then sailed further north. On October 23, the ship reached Tolaga Bay and anchored in the sheltered bay called Opoutama , now known as Cook's Cove . Here, the crew took on board food and filled their water barrels. From the top of Shakespeare Cliff, Cook observed the transit of Mercury.
Took a bush walk through the nature reserve to Hot Water Beach before heading to Martha Mine Waihi with it's Cornish Pumphouse.
Stayed overnight at Waihi Motor Camp.
Visited Cook's Cove, Shakespeare Cliff and Cathedral Cove.
After Cook's first landing in New Zealand on October 8, 1769, he then sailed further north. On October 23, the ship reached Tolaga Bay and anchored in the sheltered bay called Opoutama , now known as Cook's Cove . Here, the crew took on board food and filled their water barrels. From the top of Shakespeare Cliff, Cook observed the transit of Mercury.
Took a bush walk through the nature reserve to Hot Water Beach before heading to Martha Mine Waihi with it's Cornish Pumphouse.
Stayed overnight at Waihi Motor Camp.
12th September
Kiwi360 describes itself as the Ultimate Kiwifruit Experience! Spent the day visiting the extensive kiwifruit orchards and park-like surroundings.
Our tour included a "Kiwikart" trip round the grounds, providing a close look at the growth cycle of green and gold kiwifruit, as well as viewing the post harvest facilities. Our guide explained how the unique conditions in the area supported the production of the highest quality kiwifruit in the world.
Our guide could not believe that I'd never eaten kiwi fruit. She was not impressed when I tried it and said I didn't like it! On the other hand, Sue loves kiwi fruit, and was delighted when we were told we could help ourselves from the trees.
Overnight at Hawai Bay Camp Ground.
Kiwi360 describes itself as the Ultimate Kiwifruit Experience! Spent the day visiting the extensive kiwifruit orchards and park-like surroundings.
Our tour included a "Kiwikart" trip round the grounds, providing a close look at the growth cycle of green and gold kiwifruit, as well as viewing the post harvest facilities. Our guide explained how the unique conditions in the area supported the production of the highest quality kiwifruit in the world.
Our guide could not believe that I'd never eaten kiwi fruit. She was not impressed when I tried it and said I didn't like it! On the other hand, Sue loves kiwi fruit, and was delighted when we were told we could help ourselves from the trees.
Overnight at Hawai Bay Camp Ground.
13th September
Drove to East Cape, the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand. Raukokore's Anglican church is considered one of the region's "101 must-do" sites! Stopped in Te Araroa to view the oldest pohutukawa tree, then climbed up to the East Coast Lighthouse.
On the way to Tikitiki to see St Mary's Church we were held up on the road by a large herd of cows.
Parked overnight by Waipiro Bay.
Drove to East Cape, the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand. Raukokore's Anglican church is considered one of the region's "101 must-do" sites! Stopped in Te Araroa to view the oldest pohutukawa tree, then climbed up to the East Coast Lighthouse.
On the way to Tikitiki to see St Mary's Church we were held up on the road by a large herd of cows.
Parked overnight by Waipiro Bay.
14th September
Visited Tolaga Bay and Waioeka Gorge.
Stayed overnight at Island View Holiday Park, Waiotalu Beach.
Visited Tolaga Bay and Waioeka Gorge.
Stayed overnight at Island View Holiday Park, Waiotalu Beach.
15th to 17th September
Booked into Rotorua Family Holiday Park for three nights.
Visited the Old Bath House, Museum, Government Gardens and Princes Gate Hotel.
Booked into Rotorua Family Holiday Park for three nights.
Visited the Old Bath House, Museum, Government Gardens and Princes Gate Hotel.
Wandered around the Māori village of Ohinemutu and viewed the cooking arrangements over the boiling hot water vents.
Another Maori Show provide the opportunity for, this time, Sue to get up and dance!
Another Maori Show provide the opportunity for, this time, Sue to get up and dance!
Spent a day exploring the geothermal activity in Whakarewarewa, wandering the main street and viewing village houses before heading into the geysers and thermal pools. Enjoyed a meal cooked in the thermal ovens. Tasty but vegetables were overcooked!
Took a Redwood Forest Walk and visited Hamurana Springs. Drove out to Lake Tarawera.
18th & 19th September
On the way to Napier we visited Huka Falls.
Spent two nights in Napier at Bay View Van Park.
A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 people and destroying the centre of Napier. Rebuilding began almost immediately, and new buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco.
Wandered the city admiring the amazing buildings.
On the way to Napier we visited Huka Falls.
Spent two nights in Napier at Bay View Van Park.
A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke's Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 people and destroying the centre of Napier. Rebuilding began almost immediately, and new buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco.
Wandered the city admiring the amazing buildings.
20th September Parked overnight on the beach side rest area , Cape Kidnappers.
21st to 23rd September
Stayed at Capital Gateway Motor Inn, Wellington. Spent the next three days visiting the sights. Situated near the geographic centre of the country, Wellington was well placed for trade. In 1839 it was chosen as the first major planned settlement for British immigrants coming to New Zealand. The settlement was named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo. It has been the nation's capital since 1865.
Visited the Old Government Buildings, the Old Theatre, the Te Pape Museum, Parliament House and Library and St. Paul's Cathedral. Took the cable car to Kelburn in order to see the view across Wellington Harbour.
21st to 23rd September
Stayed at Capital Gateway Motor Inn, Wellington. Spent the next three days visiting the sights. Situated near the geographic centre of the country, Wellington was well placed for trade. In 1839 it was chosen as the first major planned settlement for British immigrants coming to New Zealand. The settlement was named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo. It has been the nation's capital since 1865.
Visited the Old Government Buildings, the Old Theatre, the Te Pape Museum, Parliament House and Library and St. Paul's Cathedral. Took the cable car to Kelburn in order to see the view across Wellington Harbour.