North Island Waikato Region 2020 Taupo to Te Kauwhata

Taupo to Te Kauwhata

Waikato Region North Island

New Zealand

2020

Taupo

Tonight’s stay at Taupo NZMCA is booked for 3 nights for now. Nothing else to add as we are just having a restful day. Hasn’t been very quiet though Helicopters coming and going all day, we are next to the airport. It’s hot with very little wind.

Taupo
Shorefront bike ride to town today for lunch. Very busy...Taupo is a hive with people.
Helicopter taking off from the airport with a bucket to help fight a forest fire.

Taupo last night's sunset

Huka Falls
Heading out of Taupo this morning stopped for a look at the Huka Falls, they give me goosebumps they are so powerful.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
After visiting Huka falls our next stop was Orakei Korako Geothermal Park.
It’s a very hot day and even hotter in the park but it was well worth the visit.
You can even stay the night if you have been through the park.
We would have had a beer if we were staying but settled for a Fruju to help cool us down.
If you visit a cooler time of year make the most of everything on offer here and stay the night.

Whakamaru Domain

Tonight’s stay. After feeling the heat all day we found paradise by the lake with a breeze to keep us cool. I would go for a swim but I have had a couple of wines.

There’s a bike trail here and swimming so all good for a couple of days.

Whakamaru Domain

It is a lovely peaceful stay we are having here. Today went for a 16km bike ride along with the cycle track most of it in the bush. Had a cup of tea with an NZMCA couple staying at the Dunham Point Reserve 8km South, then home for a swim.

We did look at staying at the Dunham camp yesterday but there was no wind or swimming there, fortunately, we have a gentle breeze here.

So I would say if it is overly windy at one camp go to the other best of both within 8km.

Whakamaru Domain

We went for a 20km ride today from camp to the Whakamaru Power Station then followed the bike trail along the river, home to rest, and cope with the heat. Moving on tomorrow.....

Mangakino

Matekuri Island

Tonight’s stay, very nice here with trees for shade, a golf course next door if you play golf, swimming, cycle/walking track, and shops walking distance. We will do some more of the cycle track today.

Mangakino

Matekuri Island

From camp return, only 13km today so hot, came home and went for a swim.

Mangakino

Matekuri Island

We met Kathy Hendry’s friends Lyn & Richard In their huge 5th Wheeler yesterday and had a good catch-up this morning before heading off to our next camp.

If you like history this little town has history boards all around town. Robert found it very interesting as he lived here when he was 4 years old.

Pureora Forest

Ngaherenga Doc Campsite

Last night's stay Lovely spot in the middle of nowhere, we had a few in for company at night after a quiet day by ourselves. No internet

We stopped just up the road to do the Pouakani Totara Tree Walk approximately 1750 years old the oldest Totara in the world. The walk can also be done from the camp.