We made the decision tonight to make our way to Kai Iwi Lakes tomorrow. Rumour has it that there are trout in the Lakes and the Lakes are only 8km from the coast so a bit of west coast kite fishing may be in order. Will let you know how we fare.
We have updated the “Current Location” page.
We are in the 2nd to last day of our six day visit to Pahi before heading off for ‘someplace North’. We are thinking of spending a few days at Kai Iwi Lakes but will not make that decision until tomorrow.
Our Pahi experience has been brilliant (weather included). We are with a group of 12 motorhomes and/or caravans or 5th wheelers. There are about 30 of us all up. While we tend to do our own thing during the day, we met up every night for ‘5 o’clockers’ and dinner.
The Bathtub Regatta was a hoot. There was a couple of obligatory sinkings and at time less than average pilotage. Some of the entrants had spent quite a bit of time and money on their craft only to see it all end in tears.
The downside of bathtub racing is when your bathtub goes to the bottom, so does your engine. In saying that, some of the bathtubs were able to get up on the plane and could really make good speed. Drivers needed to be relatively confident boatmen (or women).
The Pahi Boat Club had erected a big marquee on the site for the event and provided a band and bar for both Saturday and Sunday nights. We took advantage of their generous hospitality on both nights. Resting day today and tomorrow!!!
We would definitely return next year if we were going to be in New Zealand.
We head off this morning on our two month adventure around Northland and the Far North. We are updating the blog prior to our leaving as we are not sure where we will be stopping tonight or if we will have coverage. No hurry eh!
Our first official stop is on Thursday night at Pahi (about 280km north of Whangamata). We are meeting up with a few other friends at Pahi and plan to be there for the whole of Auckland Anniversary Weekend. The main reason for our visit is to participate in the Pahi Regatta. In brief the Regatta is all about racing bathtubs. There is the “Standard BathTub” race where up to 2hp motors are allowed. Then there is the “Open Bath Tub” race where hp is unlimited. What could possibly go wrong!!!
Pahi itself is a small harbour settlement at the tip of a narrow headland on the northeastern arm of the Kaipara Harbour in Northland. We have updated the “Current Location” page so you can see where Pahi is located. We will be basing ourselves at the local Pahi camp ground next to the water. I have been told that this is the 124th year of the regatta and the camp transforms over the weekend into a bustling, heaving mini-city of campervans, caravans, tents, boats, trailers, sideshows and sunburnt humanity.
If you are up that way over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, follow the crowds to the Pahi Regatta and pop in and see us. I believe our allocated parking spot is very close to the big fig tree in the motorcamp.
We have a big night tonight at the Whangamata Club so we thought it was best to get a bit of exercise in so we don’t feel guilty about having a couple during the evening. We decided to do the Bike/Walking trail in the Karangahake Gorge this morning.
The Karangahake Gorge, between Waihi and Paeroa is packed with gold-mining history and many of the old relics of the gold mining days are accessible through a variety of walks. This area was once the busiest and most lucrative gold mining area in New Zealand.
We started our ride at Waikino and followed the historic railway line alongside the Ohinemuri River. The standout for us was not only the scenery but the 1-kilometre tunnel with its ‘windows’ blasted by the miners through the mine shaft walls and out through the cliffs fronting the Waitewheta River. Originally designed for throwing waste rock out of the mine, they now allow great viewing of the surrounding area.
If you get a chance, give the ride a go – it’s not too strenuous but a great couple of hours.
One of our favourite areas of the Coromandel is the Parakawai Valley and its Wharekirauponga Track. The track starts at the end of Parakawai Quarry Road, two kilometres south of the Wentworth Valley near Whangamata.
The track is along an old horse-drawn tram track through native bush and enroute to the old camp and battery site for the Royal Standard Goldmine. The track follows the Otahu River upstream and leads to a number of waterfalls and swimming holes.
Beyond the battery site and tunnel are the Wharekirauponga Falls. The loop track beyond this point is steep and can be slippery in places. Walkers should be careful that they stay on the main track as the area has many old mine shafts hidden by foliage. The total time taken to do the loop is approximately 3.5 hours.
We decided to take grandsons #3 and 4 for a walk ‘part way’ around the track today. While we started off with great enthusiasm, the day was hot and they were soon more interested in the swimming holes than the walk. Still it was a brilliant day and the kids enjoyed building dams and swimming in the crystal clear (but cold) river water.
If you decide to try the walk, there is a small carpark at the start of the track at the end of Parakawai Quarry Road. In the summer months when the walk is at its busiest, the carpark can get quite full. If you are in a motorhome any larger than 6 or 7 metres, turning around can be a challenging exercise.
The Coromandel weather has been superkind to us over the last couple of days. We welcomed in the New Year at a pace commensorate with our age!!! We joined friends for a quiet wine and snax at about 6pm then wandered down to Williamson Park in Whangamata for the evening’s New Year celebration. There would have been two or three thousand at the Park with most around the 14 to 18 year age group. One could say we felt slightly misplaced however is was a great night.
We started New Years day with a brisk walk along the Whangamata shore. Again the weather is stunning. There was no New Year resolutions in our house this year apart from a determination to stay safe and well. Happy New Year everyone.
Christmas Breakfast Whangamata 2012
From both Dearne and I we wish you all a brilliant Christmas Day. Unfortunately the weather in Whangamata has not been the kindest but the kids don’t seem to mind. They are spending plenty of time in the pool and at the skate ramp so all cannot be too bad. While not everyone could be with us today (Renee on the Gold Coast, Tiffany in Hamilton and Josh is in Bali, Nicky in Perth and Wayne and Ali in Canberra), it has been great having Tina, Lesley and Jesh here and to have Rod’s younger brother Craig and his daughter Courtney and children from Gisborne staying with us
After the ‘big present time’ this morning we are all having a relaxing afternoon in preparation for a very social evening. Keep safe and well everyone and we will catch up with you all in the new year.
Just back home from a great weekend at Waitomo. Last time we visited was some 15 years ago. Stayed at the Top Ten Holiday Park. Great little spot – plenty of space for motorhomes and tents. There are also cabins available if thats how you like it. The park has a pool, hot tub, play area for kids and the restaurants and cafe’s are an easy five minute walk. We did a tour through the Aranui Cave and did the Ruakuri bush walk. We decided not do the glowworm caves as we had been through them previously. We highly recommend it as a place to spend some time – there has been massive change since our last visit.
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