{"id":1211,"date":"2023-10-30T06:17:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T06:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/?p=1211"},"modified":"2023-11-19T19:39:36","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:39:36","slug":"new-zealand-29-october-to-3-december-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/?p=1211","title":{"rendered":"North Island, New Zealand: 29 October to 15 November 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

14 – 15 November: New Plymouth to Picton via Ferry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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On 14th November we took the Surf Highway (Highway 45) along the west coast out of New Plymouth and headed south. Stopped for the night at an unremarkable town called Levin. Next day headed to Wellington and the ferry to Picton. It was a calm, 4 hour crossing full of empty, smelly livestock lorries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Last sight of Mount Taranaki after leaving New Plymouth. This time with a little cloud cap on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A New Zealand Christmas tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Leaving Wellington on the ferry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Very windy on the ferry so ideal opportunity to practice wing suit flying\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful scenery in the Cook Strait and Marlborough Sound <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Queen Charlotte Sound – still amazing scenery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Approaching Picton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Timber seems to be the main export <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As we left the ferry we saw this dog in an (empty) livestock lorry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11 – 14 November: New Plymouth, NZ.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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New Plymouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 13th November Alan had a days guided trout fishing on one of the Taranaki rivers. A great days fishing with six fish landed despite the windy conditions. Best Brown Trout was 5lbs and best Rainbow was 6lbs. New Zealand lived up to its reputation as the best Brown Trout river fishing destination in the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beautiful wild 5lb Taranaki Brown Trout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The guide, Adam Priest, with Alan\u2019s 6lb Rainbow Trout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whilst Alan was fishing, Caroline spent the day exploring New Plymouth by bike and climbing the mighty Paritutu Rock – a 158 metre high remnant of a volcanic crater (with spectacular views).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path just seen at the top of the rock was the only way up and almost
vertical.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The view was worth the clamber up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the evening of 12th November we had dinner at Hiran and Pretheeva\u2019s house in New Plymouth. Pretheeva is the sister of our (Alpaca) neighbour, Anila. We had a great evening and a lovely meal and were lucky enough to meet Anila\/Pretheeva\u2019s mother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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L-R: Alan, Hiran, Pretheeva, Caroline, Anila\/Pretheeva\u2019s Mum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 12th November we ran around the Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. The park has some lovely Japanese water features and is famous for being one of the sets for the film, The Last Samurai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pukekura Park – one of the many water features<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pukekura Park with the famous red Japanese bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 11th November we drove from Otorohanga to New Plymouth along the wonderful State Highway 3. The best driving road so far! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Plymouth is dominated by Mount Taranaki and can be see from miles around. It is the second highest mountain in New Zealand\u2019s north island. We stopped in the town and hired a couple of bikes and rode part of the town\u2019s coast path, including the spectacular Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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En route from Otorohanga to New Plymouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Probably the best motorcycling road we have encountered so far – State Highway 3 from the Waikato area to New Plymouth. A driver\u2019s road!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sub-tropical vegetation. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mount Taranaki as viewed through the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge on the New Plymouth coast path <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The hired bikes came in handy. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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No shortage of driftwood on the black volcanic sand beach at New Plymout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sunset over New Plymouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 – 10 November: Rotorua and Tongariro, NZ.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the 10th we travelled north west to Otorohanga and the highlight of the tour so far – a Kiwi sanctuary! The birds live inside with natural lighting, climate and vegetation. The lighting is reversed so that these nocturnal animals are awake during the day. We were lucky to see them as they sleep 18-20 hours a day! We had a good view of two of the birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The birds breed and, once sufficiently grown, are released into a protected wild environment (areas protected from rats etc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A kiwi family (not the real thing as we were, understandably, not allowed to photograph the live birds)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Kiwi has the largest egg for its size in the world. The egg weighs 25% of the female\u2019s weight!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the 9th we ran in the Tongariro National Park. The 9.75 mile route took us from the Whakapapa campsite to the Taranaki waterfall and then onto the volcanic lake called Tama Lake. An amazing route with spectacular volcanic features. The ascent was nearly 400 metres so we were a little jaded at the end but it was definitely worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The start point of the run (they have some great place names in New Zealand!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Choice of trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first part of the trail had reasonable vegetation <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Taranaki waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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next leg is the lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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After 5 miles\u2026 the lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The volcanic Tama lake within a much larger caldera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A better shot of the lake with a photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the 8th November we visited some geothermal areas. The first was the Waiotapu Geothermal Area which included the slightly disappointing Lady Knox Geyser. However, the rest of the Waiotapu area was worth the visit. Not having had our fill of geysers, mud pools, hot flowing streams and sulphur gas\u2026 we visited and bathed in the charming, non-commercialised Kerosene Creek. We then drove to the Whakapapa campsite at the Tongariro National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lady Knox geyser at the Waiotapu geothermal area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the many bubbling mud pools at Waiotapu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Multi-coloured \u201clake\u201d at Waiotapu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This Waiotapu lake was a curious green colour and PH level was 2!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kerosene Creek – warm water and slight smell of sulphur . No sign of any kerosene..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Another dipper in Kerosene Creek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Taupo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mount Ngauruhoe (aka Mount Doom for Hobbit fans). The most active volcano in New Zealand in the 20th Century with the most recent eruption in 1977.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drove from Coromandel along the northern side of the peninsula. Decided to give Hot Water Beach a miss. Spent the night just north of Rotorua in a campsite on the shores of Lake Rotorua <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View across Lake Rotorua from the campsite just north of the town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5 – 7 November: Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, NZ.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hired sit-on top kayaks and paddled about 5 miles to the edge of the neighbouring headland. Fished for a while but no luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kayaking in Coromandel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lovely six mile run along the headlands and woodlands. Saw the famous Kauri trees which were decimated in the 170\/1800s when the British navy felled them for masts and spars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A 1700 year old Kauri tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The disinfection point at the entrance to the Kauri forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful views on the run along the headland just south of Long Bay. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Post boxes on the shore. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nicely designed post box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Everyone seems to have an old tractor to tow their boat trailer to the water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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More tractors at the along Bay campsite. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exciting drive along the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula: narrow road with hairpin bends. It would make an ideal motorcycle route. Staying in the campsite at Long Bay just north west of Coromandel town. Our pitch is at the water\u2019s edge facing directly west so fantastic sunset views. Fished the rocks near the campsite and caught one small yellow fish, possibly a Snapper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoke with one of our fellow campers, a New Zealander, who asked us where we were from and then said \u201cGet up at the sparrows fart to go tiki-touring in the wop-wops\u2026.\u201d. After she has translated this for us she then dais \u201cDo it while you can – shrouds do not have pockets!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Very flat dairy farmland seen as we travelled east from the Aukland area towards the the Coromandel Peninsula- it could be Lincolnshire!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A little further east on the Coromandel Peninsula- spectacular change in geography to old volcanic hills<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Views of the west of the peninsula just south of Coromandel town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cormorants in the Firth of Thames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fishing in Long Bay, Coromandel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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They can\u2019t all be whoppers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Green lipped mussel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Not a bad view from the campsite.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Incredible colours at sunset on Long Bay, Coromandel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – 4 November: Paihia, Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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On 4th November we left the site at Paihia and headed towards Coromandel. On the way we spent the morning deep sea fishing out of Paihia. We caught a Parrot Fish and a number of Red Snapper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On route to Coromandel, we stopped for the night at Drury just south of Auckland at the Murphy\u2019s Law (Irish) pub. It wasn\u2019t very Irish but did have a decent overnight camping facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSplash\u201d the charter boat out of Paihia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Interesting cloud\/mist formation on the way out to the fishing grounds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fisher person with one of the smaller Red Snappers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Parrot Fish<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the hundreds of islands in the Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nice size snappers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Good haul of fish, mainly Red Snapper but one Trevally.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Johnny the deckhand expertly filleting the Snapper. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seagulls feasting on the spoils from the filleting. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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And then there was the Striped Marlin. Hemingway eat your heart out!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paihia on the Bay of Islsnds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Paihia campsite overlooking the Bay of Islands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The 4 mile forest trail. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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No Kiwis seen as they are nocturnal. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sub-tropical vegetation on the forest trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the many rat\/stoat traps on the path through the forest. This to protect Kiwis. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The mangroves – looks perfect for fishing!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Footbridge across one of the creeks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Boardwalk through the mangrove swamp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The waterfall at the end of the 4 mile run through the woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The place was full of other tourists\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

29 October – 1 November: Auckland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On 1st November we collected our hired motorhome. Surprised to find it was a UK manufactured Auto-Trail model. It is a similar layout and size to our own Adria Coral motorhome. The three year old hire van has covered some 97,000 miles but is still going strong. We drove 100 miles north to the Bay of Islands to stay at a campsite at Paihia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The rented motorhome being collected in Auckland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Typical landscape on route from Auckland to Bay of Islands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Some flooding still evident.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 31 October we visited the Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium. Apart from the many fish, there was a great display of Scott\u2019s Antarctic hut with all the gear and provisions. The highlight for us were the King Penguins. Some great views of them nesting and swimming. In the late afternoon we met an ex-colleague of Alan\u2019s, Andy Ryan, who emigrated to New Zealand a decade ago. Interesting discussions where we learned of the high cost of living and low salaries in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
King Penguin <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Adult and \u201cbaby\u201d King Penguin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Scott\u2019s cabin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Scott\u2019s cabin – sleeping area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Auckland skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 30 October we met with Alan\u2019s school friend, Graeme Tremlett, who lives in a suburb of Auckland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With Alan\u2019s school friend, Graeme, in St Heliers, Auckland. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

29 October: bouncy flight from Singapore landed us in Auckland rather jet-lagged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

14 – 15 November: New Plymouth to Picton via Ferry On 14th November we took the Surf Highway (Highway 45) along the west coast out of New Plymouth and headed south. Stopped for the night at an unremarkable town called Levin. Next day headed to Wellington and the ferry to Picton. It was a calm,Continue reading “North Island, New Zealand: 29 October to 15 November 2023”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1211"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1378,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1211\/revisions\/1378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apethtravels.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}