Abel Tasman & North Island Trip 14 Feb – 5 Mar 2011

This was our last planned trip before returning to UK via Aus.   Departing Lyttelton for Reefton, an old gold mining town we had stayed at with John & Sheila last year. 
The drive over the Lewis Pass 863m, with spectacular views, we stayed at the Reefton Old Nurses Home, following an evening walk around the local hills of Reefton.   

Next day off to Abel Tasman. This included a 13 km drive from Takaka on an unsealed road to Totaranui DOC camp site.   Camping for two nights we managed to finish off our costal walk from Totaranui, to Separation point.

                                                Totaranui camp site

 

 

Farewell Spit, at the top of the South Island.

 

From Takaka over "The Hill" to Collingwood, is in unique Golden Bay, close to Wharariki Beach and Farewell Spit, at the top of the South Island. We spent three days here walking and sightseeing before our departure to Picton for one night, before departing for North Island on the ferry across Cook Straight to Wellington taking three and half hours.






 







Taking over an hour sailing through the fiords before reaching the Cook Straights, we had a smooth crossing as this can be horrendous in bad weather. 

Mt Egmont 2518m (Mt Taranaki)

From Wellington we drove to Wanganui (195k) and on to Hawera (194K) and Kaupokonui Camping Site for three nights.    Situated on the West coast shadowed by Mt Egmont 2518m (Mt Taranaki), this was very weather dependent and after two days managed to climb the mountain in just over eight hours, would be better in winter conditions given the amount of scree.  

It was here we learnt about the earthquake back in Lyttelton and Christchurch on the Tuesday. By Thursday we had decided to cut short our visit in North Island by a week, to return home to our friends and assess the damage to our house,

 

Sunset atKaupokonui Camping Site

From Kaupokonui we took the long and twisty road on the “Forgotten Highway” to Te Kuiti and Raglan on the West coast for two days, cycling and here we visited Waireinga Water Falls.   

“Forgotten Highway”

 

 

Waireinga Falls.  

Moving on across North Island to Whangarei, we met up with friends from Bristol, Vic and Shirley now living in NZ.

 

Next day the short drive to Paihia staying at the” Pickled Parrot” back packers for two days.  This area is outstanding, called the Bay of Islands. We took the boat across to the lovely town of Russell, once the capital of NZ back in Captain Cook’s days.

Town of Russell,

 


 
In addition took the boat trip out and through the famous Hole in the Rock.

Now making our way South we stopped off at Whangamata for one night before moving on to Rotorua to visit the old Maori village still occupied with numerous geysers of boiling water and the strong smell of sulfur. 

 


 


 

The Meeting House

Last night spent in Parmesan North before making our way to Wellington and the ferry to Picton and home.

Sunday was a very sad day as we walked around Lyttelton with all the Churches, Shops, and Pubs/Restaurants/cafes, red carded and damaged beyond repair.   The good news is this has strengthened the community and the people here will rebuild the town.   On Sunday afternoon the Council put on lunch at the Top Club with a singer, we were joined by the local fire service, community team and our MP who met with the Business owners to discuss the way forward. 

Christchurch Cathedral  

 

Holy Trinity Church Lyttelton  

Was the Book and Souvenir Shop