Friday 22 April
We landed in Auckland on Good Friday, and were met at the Airport by a Kea representative, who took us across to there depot in the North Shore. We had selected a 4 Berth Motorhome which you can check it out in more detail here.
So after a briefing on the vehicle, we set off to find some provisions - on Good Friday - which was a bad idea because all the shops were closed. Luckily we found a service station that had enough supplies to get us through to the next day, and Billy had packed a bottle of wine.
Our first stop was at Orewa, only 20 minutes from the Kea Depot. Much to Sylv's horror, the park was full of campers, kids, and was swept by a chilly wind, but once we parked, and settled in, it was good. We cooked our meagre provisions at the communal kitchen, had our first conversation with a local, had nice showers, and settled for the night.
This was when we encountered our first challenge. The beds made good seats, but bad beds, as they were very hard, and the pillows were too flat. We had been given the opportunity to take on board more bedding at the depot but it was all a blur, so now we had to make do. So the first night was fairly uncomfortable, with strange sounds (including the on-board fridge kicking in often) and surroundings.
Saturday 23 April
We scouted the nearby areas, and found a nice cafe for breakfast, and nearby supermarkets, that we raided shortly afterwards, to stock up with some more wholesome provisions. Surprised to find alcohol on sale in their version of Woolworths, and Sylv was very happy that bananas were only $2 a kilo (NZ$2 that is) compared to $12 back home.
Then we set off for a fairly decent drive north to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, where we stayed at the Twin Pines Holiday Park - about 8 kms outside Paihia, but beside the Waitangi River, and close to the Haruru falls. We got there in time to have a look around Paihia, and do most of the walk from the holiday park to the Treaty Grounds, alongside the Waitangi River.
The facilities at the holiday park were great, but there was a large group on the first night that stayed up late making noise.
Sunday 24 April
Into Paihia early to catch the Fullers Ferry for a dolphin encounter and to see the Hole in the Rock. We saw heaps of dolphins, and then headed out to the Rock, the sea being rough enough for Sylv to get a little nervous. I never thought we would actually go through the Hole in the Rock, but we did!We stopped of at Russell on the way back and had a beautiful lunch at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel - the oldest hotel in NZ.
That afternoon we visited the Treaty Grounds - where visitors had to pay $25/head to enter but the locals get in for free! Well they get badgered for a donation...
Monday 25 April
Across to the West Coast today to meet up with some friends at Omopere, but not before a short 35km diversion to look at the Kauri Forests... 2 hours later we arrived late for lunch, and had to look forward to travelling the tight winding road once more to get back to our camping ground at Kaihu for the night. Good facilities again.
Tuesday 26 April
Big day of driving to head back south past Auckland to Flaxmill Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula. Stopped at Warkworth for lunch, groceries, and finally decided we needed new pillows. Needed a coffee mid afternoon, after surviving buffeting cross winds, so pulled into the Corogate Cafe, where we got the Royal treatment, just ahead of the Royal Wedding. Great quirky cafe, terrible coffee.
The windy mountain crossing taught us why you never overstock the fridge door - because it flew open around one corner, we stopped, thought we had fixed it, only to have it happen again at a place were we could not pull over for some time. Lesson learned.
All by ourselves that night at the lovely Flaxmill Bay Holiday Park. Our first experience of timed showers. Another lesson overnight - don't park under trees on rainy nights if you don't want to endure Chinese Water Torture!
Wednesday 27 April
Ignored the wet weather and went for a great walk to Cathedral Cove, where the weather cleared up for us.
A nice lunch at Hot Water Beach, and some real coffee.
Took the ferry over to Whitianga in the afternoon, and thought we would return the next day to try out the "Lost Springs" thermal pools. But the bad weather was returning, so we made plans to leave a day early, and head south to the sun.
Thursday 28 April
Drove to Rotorua, where we stayed the night at the Cosy Cottage Camping Park. Surprised to find they had a natural thermal spring on-site, with a series of hot pools that we could enjoy for free - which made up for missing out on the Lost Springs. The hot water was welcome as the temperature had started to drop - it was cold out. So far we had not used the on board loo (because if you use it, you have to empty it!!) but it was tempting in the freezing temperature at 3am.Friday 29 April
Visited Te Puia in the morning for some Maori Culture, and to see the Pohutu Geyser. It was very interesting - a great place to visit.
Only a short drive to Taupo, but the temperatures were dropping, so it was lucky we were staying at the De Bretts Holiday Park, which has a large commercial Hot Springs Water Park attached. This was the night of the Royal Wedding, which we watched in the lounge with other royal subjects, and some confused Germans.
Saturday 30 April
Decided to work off the wedding festivities this morning with a walk to the Huka Falls. Sylv thought we could walk directly from the Holiday park - a decision we would rue later in the day - as getting to the start of the falls walk took nearly an hour. But it was a great walk alongside the Waitako River to the falls. After a long day of walking, we tested the healing powers of the hot springs. They were so good, we had another session the following morning. As well as not using the on board loo, we also hadn't used the sink much but decided we'd better empty out the grey water anyway. Funny....nothing much came out.
Sunday 1 May
Decided to leave cold Taupo a day early to go see some glow worms at Waitomo. Arrived at 1 pm and were lucky to get on a Spellbound Cave tour at 2pm. This went for 3 hours and included rafting through the most fantastic glow worm cave and then visiting another spooky dry cave. It was a great afternoon - excellent guide - probably the highlight of the trip. Had another go at emptying out the grey water, and there must have been an air bubble in there before, because it certainly all came gushing out today.
Monday 2 May
Heading home today, back to Auckland. Bad weather forecast, but fortunately we left today, as the next day the road we drove down to return our Motorhome was hit by a Tornado. We were proud to return the motorhome without having used the on board loo or shower at all. Well there's really no need to with the park facilities so fantastic.
We really enjoyed our quick tour of the North Island. Learned quite a lot about travelling in a Motorhome too, which has hopefully prepared us a little for the bigger trip ahead.
More photos are available here.
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