South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Days 8

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Day 8

26 October 2009

Day 8.  We left New Plymouth heading to Stratford where we planned to stay the night at a motorcamp that we had stayed at Christmas 2007/08.  Two stops were planned, Hollard Gardens and Dawson Falls.  The day started out fine however rain was forecast.

From the Dawson Falls carpark.

We headed off through the Goblin Forest.

 

Crossed a river strewn with boulders, more than once.

Viewed Wilkes Pools carved out in solid rock by the water.

 

Finally after a couple of hours we ended up at Dawson Falls. The path did go to the bottom of the falls, so did I, 98 steps to be exact.  Whilst the water flow was quite low the falls were quite impressive close up from the bottom.

Hollard Gardens

 These gardens are well worth visiting not far from Kaponga.  The few pics I have included simply do not do justice.

The entrance from the carpark, where one could park over for the night, gave nothing away.

 I really don't have the blog space to go into a lot of detail.  I am trying to keep the limit to about four pics for each specific location.  Unfortunately these gardens deserve better than what I have given them.

The gardens were extensive through wetlands, exposed and usual protected areas.

Flowers everywhere.  Rhododendrons, Azaleas,Camelias and zillions of others.  Check out my hayfever for confirmation.  The colours where across the spectrum with scents that some times overwhelmed.

 As with all the parks we have had the pleasure of visiting in Taranaki the attention to detail and layout is fantastic Auckland is so far behind in every way when it comes to engaging free public areas for all generations.

Got to go dishes to be done.................!

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Days 4 - 7

South Island - Our Intrepid Journey Days 4 - 7

22 - 25 October 2009

The journey to New Plymouth took us through the coastal town of Mokau.

You shouldn’t pass through Mokau without stopping for a feed of locally caught whitebait when in season.

Our traveling companions are not yet ready to contribute to our meals – soon maybe.

Arriving in New Plymouth the waterfront was to be our free park over for the next four nights.

Pukeiti Gardens 23Oct09

Our first day in New Plymouth, 23Oct09, we took in a visit to the Pukeiti Gardens.

The gardens feature extensive walks through beautifully laid out gardens.

That show off many of the rhododendrons that New Plymouth is well known for.

Including native flora like this 900 year old rata.

And other fascinating items like this old water wheel that generated power and pumped water for the gardens.

Tupare Gardens 24Oct09

The house and grounds of Tu parecover an extensive area all available for free public viewing.

Arrival at the Tuapere Gardens bought a surprise – we had arrived on one of the three market days of the year.

Complete with string quartet playing old English country music, only one musician shown.

The gardens have as one border the Waiwhakaiho River.

The walks are well formed and cover as much distance as you might want.

The next few pics were taken inside the residence built in the 1930's of hand adzed timers from the old Opunake wharf and walls of solid concrete .

Entry is into the lounge area.

A smaller living area off the lounge.

Upstairs to the master bedroom.

And childrens bedroom.

Araheke Walk 25Oct09

The walk crosses the Waiwhakaiho River.

With bush walks through areas of native shrubs and mature trees.

At times the path goes along the side of the river.

The area is also known as The Meeting of the Rivers.

30/31Dec07 Okato & Opunake

Heading south from New Plymouth heading to Opunake for the night we passed through ing south through Okato. Typically a main road 'don't blink' town which I know is quite unkind. Okato is worth a stop for the two interesting shops even though the cafe was totally full and we couldn't get a table.
From Okato we continued to Opunake. If you don't know or remember one of Opunake's claim to fame is that it is the birth place of Peter Snell. He certainly had some good country to train in.Opunake has a couple of popular beaches both facing the surf. One is Opunake beach with a surf club and good camp groundnext to the popular surf beach(no dogs camp ground and beach).And Middleton Beach where it would seem that anything goes. It the pic of Middleton Beach there is a headland. Opunake Beach is just around that.Opunake is one of those interesting towns that is decorated with many murals. These are painted on virtually any spare wall on buildings and shops. Below are a couple samples.The local pub was a POP, large area of falt firm grass, where they charge $5 for the night per motorhome irrespective of how many people. The only real facility is water. The $5 charge is waived if you have a $10 meal in the pub which for us that night was roast pork and veg enjoying the company of great friends and very congenial hosts.For reference about 100m up the road was a tidy public toilet and an easy to use dump station. Good on you Opunake.

29/30Dec07 Waitara & New Plymouth

On the way from Onaero Bay to New Plymouth we passed rather quickly through Waitara. A small town with a very much used river as one of its main attractions.From the main road on route to New Plymouth the Maui gas platform is visible on the horizon.
One of the main attractions for us in New Plymouth was a visit to the gardens at the Pukekura Park during the day.With Its fernery.
And the Light Festival that night that had a Celtic band that was playing.