WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 16

WITH TENT AND MOTOR.

HOLIDAYING IN TARANAKI. PROM HAWEHA TO NEW PLYMOUTH. MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN JOURNEYS." (By TRIP.) (All Rights Reserved.) Taranaki, in addition to being a land of small farms, is a country dotted with small towns, but these are surprisingly progressive, and the way of the motor - I ist-camper is made easy at most of them, excellent facilities being available in many cases. There are many delightful Bpots to be visited apart altogether

from Egmont, which, of course, dominates the whole of the district, and camping spots close to good trout ihhing abound. I have previously dealt with South Taranaki, bo in this artielc will content myself with giving some details about the journey from Tlawera to New Ilyjnoutli, together with some information about holidayon the northfr 6?de of Eginont. One of tlio fascinations of Mount Egai<:r.; is th:u it is so readily accessible. Motor cars can easily reach either of the mountain houses, and even quite elderly people can accomplish some of the less strenuous walks, along the well-defined tracks. The Inland Route. The motorist travelling from Hawera to New Plymouth, or vice versa, has a choice of two distinct routes, each of which provides many points of interest. If a complete tour of the district is being made, it will be possible to go by the inland route, and return through Opunake, a delightful little beach resort about 40 miles south of New Plymouth. If time is a factor, the inland route must be chosen, for it is only 45 miles, as compared with 65 miles on the coastal run. The inland route is dotted with small towns, and although the advent of the car has meant decreased business for many of them, they are surprisingly progressive, and each of them makes some provision for the motorist-camper, while of course there are hundreds of camping spots all along the route. From Hawera the road leads through Normanby, a small village which was famous during the Maori wars, and on to Eltham, a prosperous little town of 2000 people, in which are centred two prosperous secondary industries, a box factory, in which butter boxes and cheese crates are manufactured, and a rennet factory—the only one in New Zealand, a concern which is now manufacturing the greater part of the rennet used in New Zealand cheese. All through this district the roads are splendid, the Eltham County having been one of the first in New Zealand to go in extensively for bitumen roads. The country is almostly solely devoted to dairying, but there are a number of good trout streams for those keen on fishing.

Stratford is picturesquely situated close to Egmont, and from it a track leads up to the Stratford hut, largely used by the local residents who have a knowledge of the mountain. Stratford is a progressive, clean little town, but it ia unlikely that it will grow any further. There is an excellent camping ground here, and a few pleasant days can be spent in this part of the district in good weather. It may be mentioned here that at Eltham the camping facilities are excellent, being amongst the best in the North Island.

From Stratford the road leads away through Midhurst to Inglewood, and thence through Egmortt Village to New Plymouth, the largest town in North Tarnnaki, and one of the most beautiful and interesting towns in New Zealand. A delightful climate, excellent sea bathing and beautiful surroundings make it an ideal spot in which to spend a few days while on tour. A good camping ground is provided close to the beach, a small fee being charged. City of Gardens. The impression I have always carried away from New Plymouth is that it is a city of gardens, in which, of course, the tree fern predominates. It is doubtful whether in the whol* of New Zealand tne:e is a more beautuul public garden than at Pukekura Park, with its minis tire lakes, its luxuriant tree ferns and its well-planned gardens. Many who have never visited New Plymouth will be perfectly tfamiliar with the queer looking rocks close to the breakwater, photographs of these having at one time or another appeared in most of our illustrated papers. There is a good beach here, golf links close to the town, and some fine pvwiii* spots

which can be visited, and about which camp can be pitched. Mountain House. On the opposite side ot the mountain from Dawson's Falls, stands the North Egmont Mountain House, and being at approximately the same height above sea-level as the Dawson's Falls House. The winding road which leads up the mountain to this 3000ft-up hostel, is narrow, but well surfaced, and as the motorist definitely knows that no other traffic is on the road, he drives with a sense of security, and is able to fully appreciate the changing flora of the country through which he passes. Probably the Dawson's Falls rou-e is the more beautiful one of the two, but the outlook from the northern side of the mountain is so entirely different that a comparison is practically impossible.

At North Egmont provision is made for the motorist-camper on lines similar to those existing at the other hostel, and for those who prefer it, accommodation is available in a bunkhouse at the modest rate of 2/ a day. Camping is permitted, but in the keen mountain air it is essential to have ample bedding, and most motorists will be well advised to pay for indoor sleeping room.

It is impossible to detail all the walks which can be made from this side of the mountain, and whether the motorist stops a day or a week, will depend solely on his keenness for mountain climbing. To "Trip's" mind a week is all too short, for at the end of that time you are just beginning to know your way about.

The ascent of the mountain is comparatively easy, always provided there are guides with the party. None but

experienced climbers should venture up alone, as the fogs descend very rapidly, and completely cut off the lower country from view. It is one of the advantages of Egmont that an ascent can be mad© by those who could never reasonably hope to ascend most mountains, this being mainly due to the easy access provided to the park itself, and the well defined tracks cut round the mountain side. The Coast Route. On a fine day there is nothing more pleasant than the coast run from New Plymouth to Hawera, for there is an ever changing view of enow-capped Egmont, and delightful vista of sea and land. Once again the motorist is travelling through dairying country, and the road is dotted here and there with the cheese factories which have so largely been responsible for Taranaki's progress and prosperity. To the farmer-visitor the fertile sloping country on this road[ will be a constant delight, and it will interest him to know that it is as good as it looks. The road traverses country which was famous during the Maori wars, and the student of New Zealand history will call to mind many incidents which occurred on this and other roads in the vicinity, in the early days. It was close to Omata that the first Victoria Cross awarded in New Zealand, was wo'i. About thirty miles south of New Plymouth a road turns off towards the Cape Egmont lighthouse, a picturesque spot, and one well worth visiting. At Opunake there is a delightful beach, safe swimming, and good trout fishing in adjacent streams. Camp can be pitched close to the beach, or inland close to the road. The run back to Hawera is completed after passing through Pihama and Manaia. °

It is of course impossible in the short space of a single article, to attempt to cover the hundred and one beauty spots which abounds in this district. Every few miles there Is something to attract attention, be it a new glimpse of Egmont, or a vista of native bush. The roads all round are good in summer, generally speaking there is ample water available, and the majority of farmers will have no objection to camping on their properties, provided the motorist k careful with fires.