Our flight from Tahiti to Auckland was on time and uneventful.
But because of an oversight concerning the International Date Line when originally booking, we arrived on Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday, and were unable to collect our previously booked Motor Caravan until Monday - the depot closed at lunchtime! Fortunately we had realised this when in America and made arrangements to stay overnight at a hotel near the depot. Then collected the van on Monday and were on our way.
We travelled North at first. We had hoped to reach the Bay of Islands, but with losing a day could not fit it in before turning South. With hindsight perhaps we could have done it, but with an unfamiliar vehicle and a schedule to keep, at the time it seemed inadvisable. Pity.
We spent the first night at Whangarei at a caravan site conveniently located for an interesting visit to the Falls there the following morning. Well presented as a 'Scenic Reserve' and very impressive with a useful footbridge over the gorge. Our first experience of the lush woodland we were to see much of in this beautiful country, and of course sub tropical at the 35 degree S latitude. We then travelled across this narrow part of the Island with beautiful views from a viewpoint and passed by Auckland on our way South.
Next stop was at the small town of Matamata. Wairere Falls nearby, magnificent and well worth the trek up through lush forest. The sign suggested 45 minutes to the lookout. Hmmm - unless an Olympic standard athlete, more like 75 minutes! But very well accessed with steps up the steepest areas. That's our rented Motor Caravan on the car park - fully equipped and served us well during our stay in New Zealand.
A last view of the falls then a tour of 'Hobbiton' - the fictional Hobbit village featured in 'Lord of the Rings'. Originally demolished after that production, but now being rebuilt for the forthcoming film of 'The Hobbit' to a very high standard with a view to future tourism. Even though unfinished there were trips, courtesy (among others) of Hobbiton Tours. Well managed and most interesting. We were free to photograph, but sorry, no pictures other than the sheep shearing - we had to sign a non disclosure agreement and if I publish any here I'll probably be fed to Orcs! Maybe once the films have been released the restriction will be relaxed.
After a couple of very pleasant days visiting relations we moved South to Rotorua and the thermal area. The visitor centre at Rotorua is well set up with Maori reproductions and a school teaching traditional crafts. And of course not to be missed the mud pools, hot springs and geysers and sulphurous outpourings. Despite the winter weather our camp site that night had a lovely warm outdoor pool courtesy of the hot springs! Although Rotorua is a prime spot for viewing thermal activity, much of the countryside between there and Lake Taupo further South is steaming gently!
The Waikato river flows out of Lake Taupo in central North Island and ends its 265 mile convoluted journey to the sea at Auckland. But in its travels it supplies 8 Hydro Electric power stations, generating 15% of New Zealand's power. As well as being useful, it is also majestic with impressive rapids through the gorge below the dam supplying water for the Aratiatia power station. At times a full flow of water is released through the rapids from the dam. Unfortunately our visit did not coincide with a release, but the watermark can be seen - it must be an impressive sight! Despite the turbulence below, the lake above the dam is placid with a variety of wildlife. The black Swans were particularly beautiful. Another gorge further South leads to the impressive Huka Falls. And nearby a Geothermal Power station generates more environmentally friendly electricity.
This day's run took us down to Lake Taupo in the centre of the broad section of North Island, and the Southern end of the main thermal region which had proved so interesting and in a way alarming to be so near to hot magma! And looking across the lake, in the distance we could see the snow capped active (last erupted in 2007) volcano Mount Ruapeho, at 9177 ft. (2797 m.) the hightest point in the North Island and the largest active volcano in New Zealand. Yet despite its condition it also boasts the largest ski area in New Zealand. Unfortunately as we travelled South and hoped to get a much closer view, the weather closed in - rain and mist were the order of the day! But the clouds cleared in the evening and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset at Foxton Beach followed by a tasty fish supper courtesy of Mr. Grumpy (photo next morning!). Next day was fine and sunny and we enjoyed the drive South to Wellington, with beautiful views of the Tararua mountain range, which although not matching the Southern Alps nevertheless reach a respectable height of over 5000 ft. (1524 m.)
We briefly visited relations near Wellington then spent an enjoyable afternoon visiting the beautiful Botanic gardens with a late lunch overlooking the magnificent bay. A trip down to the city which although being predominantly modern still boasts beautiful older buildings.
We travelled to and from the town on the Cable railway, first opened in 1902 but extensively upgraded and renovated over the years, to remain a well frequented tourist attraction. An original car is nicely shown in the Museum. The top of the railway is situated at the top of the Botanic Gardens, which also hosts the Carter Observatory and the superb 9 3/4 inch Cooke refractor. A final view over the Town before overnighting and boarding the ferry to the South Island next morning. That's us second forward on the left. Even though it was winter time there were plenty of campers travelling!
And so across the Cook Strait to the South Island