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Welcome to
the constantly traveling website -
Bay of Plenty to
Napier
Entering
this area from the north on Route 2 or Route 30 you reach the town of
Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty half-way between Tauranga and the tip of
the eastern peninsula at Cape Runaway. Whakatane is the major town in
the area and very pleasant. White Island is an active volcano just off
shore and clearly visible with a constant stream of white steam.
There are trips available both by air and boat to the island.
Going east from here take a dog-leg south and then end up on the coast
at Opotiki. Just a few kilometres via Route2 is the Hukutaia Domain
home to the largest collection of native bush in the country. A hollow
tree in the reserve has a girth of 22metres and is 23metres high.
From Opitiki we have two road alternatives. Route 35 is the coastal
route winding along the sea all the way to East Cape. It
passes through the town of Te Kaha that began as a large Maori pa
and later was a whaling station for 40 years. Hicks Bay is known as a
popular camping spot.
From the East Cape lighthouse the road turns south toward the large
city of Gisborne. 52 kilometres north of Gisborne is the town of Tolaga
Bay.
Good place to park up overnight is the Showgrounds Park at Gisborne.
Showgrounds Park Motor
Camp.
If you take Route 2 out of Opotiki and head directly for Gisborne you
will enjoy one of the most scenic routes lying between the Raukumara
Forest and the Urewera National Park to the west. The Raukumara Mt.
Hikurangi is the first to see the rising sun. The Urewera Forest
encompasses over 211,000 hectares and has remained as wild as it was in
the 19th century. This was the last parts of New Zealand to
be settled with the local Maori tribe, the Tuhoe, still
remaining the most isolated.
The Gisborne area is one of the major grape growing districts in New
Zealand. The wines of this region have won international accolades for
their distinct taste and quality. The Milton Winery is one of the best
in the area. The city of Gisborne provides good shops and cafes
and one of the best museums to visit.
Now we continue south on Route 2 around Poverty Bay through the small
communities such as Morere that has hot springs set in the native bush,
until reaching Wairoa. Outside of the town one can take a side road to
the 20 metres high Te Reinga Falls Here we recommend to continue
on Route 38 to Lake Waikaremoana one of the most beautiful lakes
totally surrounded by mountains and situated at the southern entrance
to the Urewera National Park.
If you would like to spend a night in one of the local B&B's
I recommend the Hilltop House, 8 Awatere Road. Good place to base
yourself in the area if you plan to explore the Ureweras.
The return to Route 2 and we head south to the Art-deco city of Napier.
Just north of the city is also known for its wine region and a
favourite place to stop and picnic and have a swim is at th Eskdale
Park on Route Five.
On to Napier where a stroll around town soon shows the influence of the
art deco style buildings. The Art Deco Capital of the World
was re-built after th 1932 earthquake in the classical styles of
art deco as was Hastings a smaller town just south of
Napier. Five kms south of Hasting also is the small community of
Havelock North and is considered one of the nicest towns in the
country.
When in the area be sure to visit the wineries of the Mission, the
oldest, Te Mata Estate, Crab Farm, Vidals as a start. This area of New
Zealand is known for its high sunshine hours so the chance it will be a
good day is very good.
There are some very fine restaurants and cafes in Napier, Hastings and
Havelock North plus most of the wineries are known for their food as
well as their wines. It is a place to be enjoyed with a smile on you
face.
I would like to recommend two holiday parks in Napier, one is a
small park dedicated strictly to camper vans and motorhomes
at the
Bayview Van Park ,
1 Onehunga Rd, 3 kms north of the airport.
The other park is the KennedyPark Top Ten Resort on Storkey Street in
the heart of Napier Kenedy Park
Top Ten.
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