CAMPING GROUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 8 (Supplement)

CAMPING GROUNDS.

SOME IDEAL SPOTS

"THE SILENT PEACES.'

MOTORISTS CATERED FOR.

Two miles out from Te Kuiti. on the main road towards Taumarunui. the ideal camping grounds are situated. Peaceful spots like those which liave been described by Stewart Edward White as "the silent places."' The people of Te Kuiti were the first to con-

ceive this excellent idea, but Tauranga was the first town to actually carry it into effect. Pride or place must, however, be given to Te Kuiti for the excellence of the whole scheme. Te Kuiti's camping grounds are an attraction in themselves. This past season has seen an influx of motor touring parties from all parts of the North Island. Now that the road to New Plymouth is in such splendid'order, il can be readily understood that Te Kuiti will naturally become a stop-over place. To get to this most exquisite of spots the motorist turns off • to the left when the lofty Waiti viaduct is sighted. The road winds in and out along a pretty little river-bed, with miniature falls dotted here and there. Big wild bluffs of limestone rise up on either side, till you come out on to the flat at the junction of the Mangaokawa and Waititi Rivers. Here is the location for the tents and motor caravans of the campers. A scenic reserve of most beautiful bush, extending for three miles up the Mangaokawa. with wonderful limestone formation, makes the place a veritable paradise. The whole reserve consists of 30 to 40 acres, and is only a-quarter of a mile off the main road. Sorhe of the cliff? rise for 200 ft to 300 ft. and from the site of the camps lovely little peeps of tbe river are to be had in the middle distance. The bush "about here is alone worth going a long way to see. It is in tbe early morning or late afternoon that the loveliness of Te Kuiti's ideal motorists? camping ground is made more manifest. Here Te Kuiti is endeavouring to do its share in providing lor the motorist, and" the opinion is strongly held" that tbe Government phmild do its part in regani to developing the new caves in the vicinity. Several improvements are contemplated, such as the erection of suitable shelter. so that in wet weather the campers will be able to have their meals in a pavilion. Then there will be other additions to travellers' comforts, such as fireplaces to dry damp clothes. Te Aroha's Attraction. Te Aroha has its camping ground also. Ft is a plain paddock on the sid° of the road within a minute or two of the township. There are many better spots dotted alons the banks of the pretty Waihou River, which, to the iouring motorist, would be much more preferable. But evidently the powers that be have thoucht otherwise. Te Aroha is one of New Zealand's health Tesorts. and as year succeeds year it is coming more into favour as a holiday place of amusement. During the Christmas and Easter seasons there are many, forms of amusement, such as tennis, bowling, and croquet tournaments, to say nothing of the baths, little trips on the river, walks up the mountain sides, and other attractions. Rotorua's Lodging Place. The camping grounds at Rotorua are somewhat similar to those at Te Aroha. In tbe former place they are situated near'the racecourse property on the way to Whaka. It is significant that at both places the local authorities have not as yet .endeavoured to make tbe camping grounds as attractive to touring motorists as thej- might be. Of course, it must be realised that Te Aroha and Rotorua are both tourist resorts, and have been for years. Hence it is casv to understand that there might be an idea that if mo-

tor;sts' camping grounds were to be made too attractive the boardinghouses and hotels would suffer.

Tauranga Has One.

As stated previously. Tauranga was the first town to actually have the idea of a camping ground, and a paddock was secured. Up to the present that is the only thin? which has been done in connection with it. _

From the trend of inquiries the Auckland Automobile Association is certain that the hotels and boardinghouses will be unable to cope with motorists travelling durinar the coming summer. It is considered necessary, therefore, to make some arrangement for the accommoda-

tion of tourists,

An Ideal Camping Ground. Discussing the subject of camping grounds with Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, service officer to the A.A.A., the -writer learned that a camping ground requires to be a fairly level cleared place where cars can be parked with good approach from the road. Sufficient bush to give s-helter for the erection of tents is also needed. Fireplaces and sanitary conveniences should be provided, and it would bo preferable for the site to be near a stream fur water supply and washing, as well as within handy reach of bush from which firewood could 1 be cut. The restriction re making fires, and condition in which the ground should be left after occupation, would be a necessary provision, as in many instances during the past season some occupiers had left empty tins, paper and refuse strewn about. If the site can be made close to the town the shopkeepers musf benefit to a considerable degree. On the City's Outskirts. Though there is no regular camping ground at Waikowhai Park, it is a very popular spot for the motorist who is not going far afield, and summer camps are numerous in and around the pretty area which lies on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Waikowhai can be reached either by passing beyond Mount Eden terminus, past the curious conical peaks of the Three Kings and down past the Veterans' Home to Hillsboro' Road, or alternatively through Epsom and past One Tree Hill till Boundary Road is reached, a turn to the right, then leading up to Hillsboro'. Road. The road gradually rises on to the top of the ridge overlooking the Manukau. There is witnessed a' glorious spectacle. Away in the distance are the Manukau Heads, while at one's feet lie the extensive waters of the harbour. When the tide is full the widespread waters of the gulf and extended panorama of the verdant fields of Mangere, Otahuhu and Manurewa form a scene of surpassing loveliness. An undulating hill or two and the entrance of Waikowhai is reached. Motors can drive down through the bush to the terminus, catching further glimpses of the Manukau. At high tide there is a pleasant bathing spot on the edge of the park. Henderson Valley is another popular week-end resort. To reach it the motorist must go as far as Glen Eden and then follow the main road to the junction of where the Nihotupu Road goes off to the left, then turn to the right and still follow the Oreat North Road, which, keeping to the high land for two miles, descends to Henderson. Thence the Valley Road will be found going in a westerly direction towards the Waitakeres. Three miles from Henderson is beautiful Ferndale, one of the most charming picnic resorts available. From here the central road, well metalled, must be taken. It rises rapidly up the slopes of the Waitakeres, and this approach is said to be even more picturesque than the road to Waiatarua. From the hilltop near the residences of Messrs. George Fowlds and Wesley Spragg the view of the city in the distance, the intervening hills "and gullies, the plains, river and ocean, is unsurpassed. It is indeed a glorious view that opens out to the eye of the tourist who pauses here. Xext year there will be a concrete road from the city to Henderson by the Great North Road, a distance of 14 miles.