MOTORDOM

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 22, 21 October 1937, Page 17

MOTORDOM

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Chassis

FOLLOW THE MOTOR TRAILS .. * to Health, Freedom, Pleasure

Everything portends a peak season for the motor business in its virious branches, and the steadily mounting registrations, not only of motor-cars but of trailers and caravans mean a boom touring, camping and picnicking summer. _ . Already, where to go this summer is a question which many carowners are asking themselves, particularly the hundreds of motorists who are contemplating the pleasures of camping, or extensive touting for the first time. No country in the world is more liberally endowed ■with camping and picnicking places, or “just places to go than New Zealand, and both islands yield that endless variety of interest which is the spice of outdoor life.

Within these narrowed limits “The Dominion,” as a service to its motoring readers, presents a guide which will touch in passing a chain of resorts near and far in the North Island.

Wherever one goes, one may find useful guidance from the thousands of A.A. signs along the routes of travel.

At the outset it is admitted that there is a difficulty in recommending any particular camping or picnicking place since tastes differ, and one must really “go and see” for oneself. Exploration, seeking, finding, add a piquancy to road travel; the rest depends on temperamental requirements, length of vacation, and so on. There are hundreds of select spots in between, and adjacent to, the established camping areas; the discovery of such spots is open to the motorist.

The beaches within easy reach of Wellington • are too .well known to be enumerated.

Along the West Coast there are the camping facilities at Pahautanui, where there are two camping areas, and river bathing and fishing are available. At Paraparaumu there is an excellent cottage camp, well sheltered with plenty of water, surf bathing and fishing. There are the attractions of camping at Waikanae and Otaki beaches, and there is fishing to be had -in the Otaki and Waikanae Rivers.

Leaving the recognised camps in the Levin area, one may find numerous spots on the Ohau River where campers who carry all their own cooking and other equipment can spend an admirable holiday in delightful surroundings. There is abundant fishing in that district. Then again, at Manawatu Heads, a distance of 3| miles from Foxton, there is an organised camp. At Palmerston North the camp is situated in splendid surroundings

which coax one to dalliance. lhe amenities of the camp are excellent, including river bathing and fishing. This camp is in the city esplanade, but at Tiritea Valley, within easy reach of Palmerston North, is another camping reserve with good shelter and all conveniences. And, of course, at Palmerston North, as at most of the other places where there are camping facilities provided near centres, tennis, bowls, and golf are easily found by those so inclined. Wanganui will be as popular this year as ever. It is a pleasant place, for one thing, and it makes an excellent starting point for many worth-while drives. The Wanganui Road via Pipiriki is at present blocked, and it is not anticipated that it will be opened before midJanuary. Care is necessary, but one may enjoy excellent scenery travelling up from Wanganui. There are four recognised camps at Wanganui, or nearby, namely, at Aramoho Park. ,Castlecliff 9 Okehu stream.

and Kai-Iwi. The amenities at each are ascertainable on inquiry. New Plymouth has several camping sites, particularly the one in Belt Road. In addition there are established camp sites at Mount Egmont, an attraction, of course, for those who want exercise.

Instead of continuing inland along the road beyond Awakino, one may take the road which skirts the coast and eventually joins up with the Kawhia Road, but it is in such a bad condition as to call for the strictest vigilance. There is an especially fine beach lying between Awakino and Kawhia and known as the Whareorino Beach, but the best means of access to it is from Waitomo or Te Kuiti through Mara : kopa. There is a good camp site with plenty of fresh water, shelter and fresh milk, and flat-fish and schnapper can be caught. There is

also trout fishing in two or three small streams nearby. There is now a metalled road joining Marakopa and Kawhia round the head of Kawhia Harbour, 40 miles from Kawhia. Kawhia itself, which can also be reached from Te Awamutu by a metalled and much-improved road, is a veritable paradise for the camper. There is a dreamy peacefulness about Kawhia which is an unfailing tonic for those who seek restful change and all that it means. The camp is handy to the beach. There are bathing, fishing and trips by launches. Instead of following on up the coast, one may go to the camping ground at Waitomo where a stay of two or three days is suggested instead of making a sort of rush through caves to see which tourists from overseas travel thousands of miles. Waitomo is only six miles by bitumen road off the main road between Te Kuiti and Hamilton. Hamilton has a well-sheltered completely-equipped camp within

close contact of the town. There is plenty of shelter, bathing and every convenience.

At Te Kuiti there are at least two recognised camps, one at the Domain, and the other at Waitete Valley, three miles south, on the banks of the river, where there is plenty of bathing provision, much fine bush and other attractions.

Through Hamilton one may go on to Auckland, where the city itself offers accommodation of all classes, and the camp site at Western Springs, which was established by the municipal authorities a year or two ago, is a most attractive area. Premises offering every modern convenience are contained within the camp, there arc swimming baths, children’s playground, and other attractions. Then at Tui Glen, just over ten miles from the city, there is a splendidly-appointed camp area on a large scale. Also on the way from Hamilton to Auckland there is a camp in beautiful bush surroundings at

Raventhorpe. There are about 20 acres of native bush.

Although the character of the country traversed in North Auckland varies greatly the scenery, taken generally, is more pleasing. than impressive. It is a combination of hill, river and seascape. The peninsula offers a great attraction in the numerous bays, most of which are suitable both for camping and bathing. On top of that the climate is warmer than in most other parts of New Zealand, although rain very often upsets Christmas holidaymaking. January and February are the most suitable months for this sub-tropical area. The usual route followed to the north is via the Birkenhead vehicular ferry, and within 40 miles Orewa Beach, Hadfield’s Bay and Waiwera offer very pleasant surroundings for a seaside camp. In

addition, there are accommodation houses at Orewa and Waiwera. Beyond this there is a very good coastal drive via Mangawai to Waipu Cove, which is a favoured watering place, and Whangarei, the place of many holiday-seekers. Still further north the Bay of Islands attracts most of the visitors who go to North Auckland because of the fishing and the launch trips which can be made. Russell, Paihia, Kerikeri and Whangaroa, too, attract the tourist, while there is no finer beach in New Zealand than Cooper’s Beach, just beyond Mangonui. Crossing to tire other side of the peninsul ,to Kaitaia and the 90-mile beach the beaten track runs through Kaikohe, Rawene on Hokianga Harbour and Opononi, the last two named being delectable camping and bathing resorts. Then the way leads down through the Kauri forest to Dargaville, through the Ruawai Flats and, keeping to the West Coast, Port Albert to Helensville, a health resort which

caters for a large number of visitors in the season. So back to Auckland.

For those who do not want to go as far north as Auckland, the common practice to-day is to go as far as Waitomor and then across to Arapuni and Rotorua. There is a camp at Arapuni not far from the dam of the hydro-electric station. There is trout fishing. There are six camps within a radius of about ten miles of the Rotorua Post Office, and to each guidance is given by signposts. Some arc better equipped than others, but all provide pleasant surroundings and the various amenities that make camping pleasant. The attractions of Rotorua district are too well known to need description here. Suffice it to say that because of its thermal interest it is one of the show places of the Dominion.

From Rotorua one may pass on to the .Last .Coast jyith J’auranga

as the main attraction and next Mount Maunganui, 18 miles from Tauranga, where there are as many as 6000 visitors at the peak of the touring season. Between Tauranga and Opotiki, which is 102 miles away, there are beaches that would attract and hold any visitor. Ohope Beach, S/V miles from Tauranga, is a particularly desirable place, offering as it does shelter and a

large area for the pitching of tents. Coromandel Peninsula offers probably more liberal facilities for the camper than most sections of the country. The wnole peninsula is a delightful holiday ground. Bathing and fislxng are high on the list of attractions. Water supplies are available in most parts of the peninsula, and it is not necessary to adhere to listed camp sites. The road from Thames to Coromandel has been improved and con-

sequently the difficulties of previous years have disappeared. There are excellent small bays between these two towns. A major charm of the peninsula is the glory of the pohutukawas, which should be in full bloom at the Christmas period.

From Coromandel the motorist may go north to Colville, still with numerous small sheltered bays available; and after that cross the pen-

insula to Whitiahga (Mercury Bay) where fish abound and boating is a pleasurable pastime. The route of return to Thames lies across the peninsula from Whitianga through Coroglen -to join up with the main road between Coromandel and Thames. Following along the line of the East Coast through Paeroa and Waihi the motorist then reaches Tauranga, as a coastal town one of the gems of New Zealand. There, campers are catered for in every

possible way in addition to the lavish natural advantages. The climate is mild, and there are bathing, deepsea fishing and launches. Now the coast is followed to Opotiki, where the road takes a turn inland to enter the Waioeka Gorge after five miles of a beautiful level road.

The Waioeka Gorge road, which follows the river of the same name, was opened only about four years ago to replace the tortuous, mountainous road over the Motu Mills. This gorge road traverses superb bush country for 35 miles. Modern road construction methods have ensured good grades and fair curvature. But the charm of the country makes one forget road qualities. For those who have been spending a holiday camping on the coastline, a few days spent in a selected site among the bush and the birds yield pleasing variety. Alternatively to following the coast via Opotiki one may seek the thermal district with its spectacular attractions.

Having visited Rotorua the motorist may ask himself which is the best route home, assuming that Wellington is home. If bush scenery is the object there is only one route to take, and that is over the famous scenic road between Rotorua and Waikaremoana. Experienced travellers consider this the finest scenic route in the North Island. There is open fern and plain country, forest-covered mountain and goi;ge beauty, and a drive of about 20 miles round the entrancing shores of the lake, which is 2015 feet above sea level. The main divide is crossed at 3200 feet. See that the petrol tank is full. It is 145 miles from Rotorua to Wairoa. Onepoto, 110 miles from Rotorua, is a favourite camping place on this route. At Waikaremoana, and thereabouts, are several camping places duly indicated, notably at the Lake House jetty, Mokau Falls. Hopu-ruahinc landing and stream, Onini and at Lake Waikare-iti. Fires may not be lighted without permission at other than the fireplaces provided. Because of the nature of the Rotorua-Waikare-moana formation, and the heavy winter rains, motorists must, for their own protection, inquire of road conditions from the A.A. at either end.