BEACHES AND LAKES RALLY - NEW ZEALAND
29 OCTOBER - 16 NOVEMBER 2009

On 29th October 25 motorhomes arrived at Waihi Beach for our opening dinner. We were met by leaders Shirley & Des and Wavyne and John in the rain, but that did not dampen the welcome for what was to be a most enjoyable rally.
The next day, the morning routine of a walk lead by Reg Derrick was established for the tour and then we were down through Tauaranga and to Maketu Beach and the following day going south to Opape Beach for 2 nights, a pleasant spot. Some of our members had lived previously in the area covered by our journey today, so were able to give us a historical narration of the area. The next stop was Awakeri Hot Springs for a hot swim and BBQ and we then had a night at each of Lake Aniwhenua and Lake Rerewhekaitu; two beautiful spots in the Bay of Plenty.
During this first week our entertainment was varied with a 55th wedding anniversary for Dawne & Murray Pritchard, a 70th birthday for John Phillips and a visit to a strawberry farm. A novel competition was held when we had to search Opape Beach for driftwood, shells and whatever else we could find to make mobiles. So good were the entries that we declared 5 winners. We all stayed up and watched the All Blacks beat Australia, there was a poetry reading by Joyce Ross for John’s 70th and, as it was Melbourne Cup week, there was a competition for the best hat. Winners were Pat & Barney Barnard for the couples and Gay Rowling and Alan Ross for best Ladies and Mens respectively.

A sweepstake run on the race caused much hilarity when the winners had to ride a toy horse before they could claim their prize. There was fishing for our fishing enthusiasts and two lovely walks, one to Matahina Dam and the other to Lahams Hill were enjoyed.  A great start to a great trip. Anne McGirr

A misty Lake Rerewhaaitu morning as we departed for the “World Famous” Trout Fishing & Tourist Township of Taupo, which overlooks NZ’s largest lake. Fortunately the following morning was clear for amazing views across the waters to the distant snow capped peaks of the three volcanic mountains and members relaxed taking advantage of Thermal Mineral Pools, sightseeing local attractions, shopping or fishing, before an evening meal at the local RSA (Returned Serviceman Club).

Next day we travelled south, following the lake edge, enjoying spectacular scenery of lake and mountains. At the southern end of Lake Taupo is the settlement of Turangi, developed in the 1960’s to meet the needs of the nearby hydroelectric project and since expanded into a popular trout fishing resort area. Further south we entered the World Heritage Site of the Tongariro National Park, and from the Dessert Road, the three volcanoes are a scenic wonder as they rise from the plains. We arrived at Waiouru and, adjacent to the highway is the National Military Museum, an imposing moat surrounded building with superb displays and artefacts of the NZ army war history.  Conveniently our parking was behind the museum and the day closed with a “Guess who’s coming to dinner?” between members.  Our travel west to Ohakune was followed by a 77km coach trip through the National Park to Taumarunui Railway Station to board the ’Overlander’ train for the return trip to Ohakune. The highlight of this journey was the Raurimu Spiral, which (built in 1898) is a feat of civil engineering, allowing trains to conquer a height of 132m, taking the train 6.8km (if in a straight line, 2km). Further southward we crossed the impressive steel Makatote Viaduct and the new Hapuawhenua Viaduct, from where one could view the older historic Horseshoe-shaped Viaduct, birthplace of commercial bungy jumping in the 1960’s. The park-over was in the Ohakune Club.

The next day we drove through forest, native bush and farmlands with newly born lambs in the fields dotted with patches of yellow flowering broome brushes. At Piriaka, we overnighted at a NZ Motor Caravan Ass’n ‘Park-Over’ Property, where an evening ‘brain-tester’ competition was relayed by CB radio to members motorhomes.  Another glorious day as many set forth to Mt. Ruapehu and to ‘Grand Chateau’, a splendid old hotel (built 1929) with Park Headquarters situated nearby. The road continued a further 6km, passing ski lodges perched within the rocky, craggy terrain, until the ski lift area, where one can marvel at the views which go ‘on forever’. The southern edge of Lake Taupo was our picturesque overnight stop and our site for the following evening was a Lifestyle Park-Over Property at Kinloch on the outskirts of Taupo. Several members returned by the scenic eastern lake edge route, many continued along the western inland route to our destination, which finalised a fantastic week circuit of the National Park Central Plateau.
Val Maplesden

Our next overnight stay was at Mike Herbison’s property in a beautiful valley surrounded by rolling green hills. Next morning we set off for a walk on the country road and later drove the short distance to Kinloch, a marina and pretty village with many deciduous trees and rhododendrons in flower. We sat and watched small boats trolling for trout on the still waters of the lake. Others drove to Poreora Kakaho and enjoyed the walk amongst mature Rimu trees.

We drove via Atiamuri, through pine forests, meeting logging trucks with huge loads.  Picturesque rocky peaks rise up beside the meandering Waikato River, reflected in colours of emerald, turquoise and deep forest green. The river, edged with native bush, widens to form a hydro lake before passing over Whakamaru dam. At Mangakino Lake Reserve, we were parked near the edge of Lake Maraetai to enjoy happy hour before gathering in several vans for a ‘Hens and Roosters’ evening.

On the way to Rotorua some went to Orakei Korako, known as ‘The Hidden Valley’. It is unique in that the boiling thermal springs flow over silica terraces into Ohkuri Lake. The thermal area is only accessible by a boat ride across the river. An interesting feature is a cave, the entrance of which is framed with Punga trees, the NZ Silver Fern, and there is a crystal clear, warm pool, in the bottom of the cave. One person nearly took a dip as it is hard to discern where the edge is, it so clear and still.

Staying two nights at Waieti Holiday Park in Ngongataha gave members a chance to go their separate ways to enjoy the many sightseeing opportunities. A garden festival made it possible for some to visit beautiful gardens and an art gallery. At the Museum of Art and History, housed in the original Bath House, a magnificent Tudor style building located in the Government Gardens, we discovered why people come from all over the world to indulge in the waters and curative powers of the treatments administered there in the early part of the last century. This, together with information on the eruption of Tarawera Mountain and the story of the Maori Battalion, entertained us for nearly 3 hours. Some of our group rode the chair lift to the top of Mt. Ngongataha to come back in gondolas and experience wide views of the city, while others explored closer and enjoyed the city centre and pleasant lake front.

We continued on to Isobel and John Hutton’s property. On the way, some visited Paradise Valley Lion Park and Trout Springs while others enjoyed the lovely town of Tirau. On our last night together, we shared a delicious BBQ organised by our team leaders Shirley and Des Carter and Wavyne and John Phillips. We were unanimous in our applause for their wonderful planning and hosting of a very enjoyable and memorable safari though the Tour