North Island Waikato/Auckland Region 2022 p1
Waikato/Auckland Region p1
North Island New Zealand
2022
Waikato Region
Te Kauwhata
$5 donation, 2 nights max, dogs ok.
Back on the road again after 3 months of helping our daughter-in-law
with the farm while she was expecting our second grandchild.
Our first couple of nights we rested up at Te Kauwhata Domain and then had a full day in Pukekohe catching up on
shopping.
We are not wanting to go far as we have the motorhome booked in with Zion next Monday for maintenance.
We are not wanting to go far as we have the motorhome booked in with Zion next Monday for maintenance.
Onewhero
Free parking, 2 nights max, dogs ok.
We stayed at the Onewhero Domain freedom camp, not many here at the moment so had plenty of choices for parking. The toilets are modern and clean with a cold shower if you are brave enough.
We were entertained by the onion harvesting while relaxing. Then used the Jimny to visit the Harker Reserve doing the 4.87km return walk to the beautiful 12m high Te Wai Heke O Maoa (Vivian) Falls.
We stayed at the Onewhero Domain freedom camp, not many here at the moment so had plenty of choices for parking. The toilets are modern and clean with a cold shower if you are brave enough.
We were entertained by the onion harvesting while relaxing. Then used the Jimny to visit the Harker Reserve doing the 4.87km return walk to the beautiful 12m high Te Wai Heke O Maoa (Vivian) Falls.
Auckland Region
Pukekohe
Pukekohe
Rosa Birch Park, Free parking, 2 nights max, dogs ok.
Our old stomping grounds from the old days living at Port Waikato.
We needed to kill time for a few days before heading to Zion in Pokeno.
We found a convenient place close to the shops, so we could spend the time looking for bits and pieces to make the cupboards more functional.
Free parking here is by the tennis courts and although people are coming and going, it was nice and quiet apart from motor racing at the track that could be heard far and wide.
Our old stomping grounds from the old days living at Port Waikato.
We needed to kill time for a few days before heading to Zion in Pokeno.
We found a convenient place close to the shops, so we could spend the time looking for bits and pieces to make the cupboards more functional.
Free parking here is by the tennis courts and although people are coming and going, it was nice and quiet apart from motor racing at the track that could be heard far and wide.
Waikato Region
Hauraki District
Kaiaua, Rays Rest Reserve
Kaiaua, Rays Rest Reserve
Free parking, 2 nights max, dogs not allowed because of the bird
sanctuary.
It is so nice to be at the beach. After shooting through to Kawakawa Bay to catch up with Pat and Will, living their retirement dream in their piece of paradise.
The plan is to do the cycle trail starting in a couple of days. I need some time to sort my photos out after switching from Apple to Samsung just before Christmas, and I am still catching up on the blogs.
While spending the day inside Frog did a 50 km return bike ride trying out the cycle trail.
It is so nice to be at the beach. After shooting through to Kawakawa Bay to catch up with Pat and Will, living their retirement dream in their piece of paradise.
The plan is to do the cycle trail starting in a couple of days. I need some time to sort my photos out after switching from Apple to Samsung just before Christmas, and I am still catching up on the blogs.
While spending the day inside Frog did a 50 km return bike ride trying out the cycle trail.
Kaiaua
Hauraki Rail Trail Terminus
Free Camping, 2 nights Max, dogs ok, and very convenient as it is right beside the start of the rail trail.
Today it is overcast with very little wind, perfect weather for cycling. We haven't been on the bikes for about 5 months so it was a good one to start this year with.
The first part of the trail between the start and Rays Rest has a bit of washout, making it difficult to ride. After that, the riding gets easier we were riding on sandy shells and later on gravel.
The best part was cruising beside the bird sanctuary, with Kingfishers flying right in front of us.
I took a photo on the Thames side of the river of a digger cleaning out the waterways, and another of a photo of the way the settlers did it.
We turned around halfway to Thames making the return ride 52 km - 3 hrs 19 mins.
Hauraki Rail Trail Terminus
Free Camping, 2 nights Max, dogs ok, and very convenient as it is right beside the start of the rail trail.
Today it is overcast with very little wind, perfect weather for cycling. We haven't been on the bikes for about 5 months so it was a good one to start this year with.
The first part of the trail between the start and Rays Rest has a bit of washout, making it difficult to ride. After that, the riding gets easier we were riding on sandy shells and later on gravel.
The best part was cruising beside the bird sanctuary, with Kingfishers flying right in front of us.
I took a photo on the Thames side of the river of a digger cleaning out the waterways, and another of a photo of the way the settlers did it.
We turned around halfway to Thames making the return ride 52 km - 3 hrs 19 mins.
Finished up putting the bikes away and walking up to the shop for
fishing chips.
Thames
Rhodes Park Reserve
Free parking, 2 nights max (reported as closed ATM but is open with plenty here) dogs ok.
We finished the 1st leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail today.
Rhodes Park Reserve
Free parking, 2 nights max (reported as closed ATM but is open with plenty here) dogs ok.
We finished the 1st leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail today.
Starting from Thames we headed back to Kaiaua turning around at the halfway point.
52 km - 3hr return
52 km - 3hr return
Hamilton,
Motorhome Solar
We are now on a slow trip back to Otorohanga.
We had a problem with the monitor we had installed when we upgraded the solar, something about a wiring fault, causing it not to read properly, and unfortunately, they needed to run a new lead which took all afternoon. They were wonderful fitting us in and letting us park the night, which meant we have been able to catch up on laundry etc before heading off to our next camp.
We are now on a slow trip back to Otorohanga.
We had a problem with the monitor we had installed when we upgraded the solar, something about a wiring fault, causing it not to read properly, and unfortunately, they needed to run a new lead which took all afternoon. They were wonderful fitting us in and letting us park the night, which meant we have been able to catch up on laundry etc before heading off to our next camp.
Hamilton
Classic Museum
$15 per van per night, or $50 per week-3 weeks max, dogs ok
Very convenient place to stay but noisy with busy road noise.
Still, on a maintenance run, we are booked into Carter's for 2 rear tyres tomorrow.
Classic Museum
$15 per van per night, or $50 per week-3 weeks max, dogs ok
Very convenient place to stay but noisy with busy road noise.
Still, on a maintenance run, we are booked into Carter's for 2 rear tyres tomorrow.
Everyone was treated to a gorgeous sunset tonight.
Karapiro
Keeley Recreational Reserve
Free camping, 2 nights max, dogs ok.
Sweet parking by Lake Karapiro, it is a bit windy here so we needed to watch we didn't park under the big trees.
Last night was good in Hamilton and got the new tyres as planned. Great service thanks Carters.
We read a post about food saver vacuum sealer machines and picked up one in Hamilton before we left, we can have a play with it tomorrow.
Keeley Recreational Reserve
Free camping, 2 nights max, dogs ok.
Sweet parking by Lake Karapiro, it is a bit windy here so we needed to watch we didn't park under the big trees.
Last night was good in Hamilton and got the new tyres as planned. Great service thanks Carters.
We read a post about food saver vacuum sealer machines and picked up one in Hamilton before we left, we can have a play with it tomorrow.
Te Awamutu
Kakepuku Mountain
Free camping, can't find a time limit, dogs on lead ok
Run by Doc this camp is just a small car park for the hike up the mountain. It is busy here today with plenty doing the hike and at the moment 2 of us staying the night. Will do the 3 hr hike tomorrow.
Kakepuku Mountain
We were woken early by Te Awamutu Marathon Club, setting up a sausage sizzle for their around-the-mountain annual event.
We were happy to get an early start (for us) while the weather was cool, as it turned out the weather is on the turn, and stayed perfect all day for a hike.
Just under 8km - 3 hr return hike, could be done faster but Frogs knee hated the decline.
Kakepuku Mountain
Free camping, can't find a time limit, dogs on lead ok
Run by Doc this camp is just a small car park for the hike up the mountain. It is busy here today with plenty doing the hike and at the moment 2 of us staying the night. Will do the 3 hr hike tomorrow.
Kakepuku Mountain
We were woken early by Te Awamutu Marathon Club, setting up a sausage sizzle for their around-the-mountain annual event.
We were happy to get an early start (for us) while the weather was cool, as it turned out the weather is on the turn, and stayed perfect all day for a hike.
Just under 8km - 3 hr return hike, could be done faster but Frogs knee hated the decline.
House sitting for 3 weeks while we wait for a new tenant and the towbar to be fitted on the motorhome to tow the Jimny.
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