WITH TENT AND CAR

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 25

WITH TENT AND CAR

HAMILTON TO AUCKLAND

A HOLIDAY CITY

(By "Trip.") (All Bights Keserved.)

-■■: Tho journey to the picturesquely situ.atod town of Hamilton has previously iteen covered in these articles, so _in Willis we will bo content with giving t.-Some details of a journey which has, i-icluring the, recent holiday period, been i, one' of the most popular in the North island. It was unfortunate that the '•Swet weather in the north at the OhristLanas period Had such a dampening effect on many of those who were trying-out 'Uho joy's of mbtor camping for tho first it.ime. " The very fact that on one night (here were JSOO motor ■campers i" .'•tho excellently iittcd-up domain at. JUotorita is sufficient to show tho place 'which now holds in public ircgarcl.

'<■ During the holidays Hamilton was a .favourite spot for Aueklandcrs on holiiclay, whilcniauy motorist campers from ; Hamilton visited Auckland. Hamilton :itaol±"j*spt. as it is by tlio Waikato Eiver, •as.'an ' attractive town in every way. "Ttio. centre : 6f .a rich farming district ' arid-headquarters of the New Zealand .pa-operative-Dairy Company, the largest of its land in the world, it is a pcriicfet place for a quiet holiday, and one. wfiieh offers very fine facilities for the tamper.- ■ The ground, situated within :.a sttine's 1 throw- of :the town itself, is Ijlosc to tho river, and is provided with •gas and water, rendering the cooking iproblom easy. Those who visit Hamilton should certainly go to the top of "|he water tower, from which a very fine panorama of'■.the'" Waikato can be ob- ; fci4jied, and a visit to the domain in which now holds in public regard, also worth while. % -y. ■._•- .. • THE NORTH KOAD. Throughout the Harnilton-Kotorua district a great deal of metalling work has been carried, out during the past two years, and those who have not been over the road for this period or longer will get some pleasant surprises. Between Hamilton and Auckland, thewhole of tho road 'is metalled, andthere is nothing whatever to worry the motorist, the road being practically level over the greater part of the journey. ■ Most of the l-.nd through which tho road passes, is devoted to dairying, but at Himtly is one of the few. milling areas in the whole of the North Island. By deviating, from Hamilton itself, a 52-milo rim will take you out to Baglan, a pleasant beach resort with a delightful harbour —really a long inlet— on which all.forms of aquatic sports are possible. Some .very fine walks are' possible, here and,., there are certain curious rock formations to interest the traveller. :

The road northwards passes out through Horotiu, where are situated the freezing works^^j-Jjicli ser,ye a. large area of Waikato'- country, "and,in which v.cry many thousands, of ■ young calves were killed this; season for the "bobby" veal trade, 'a trade which,is going to augment considerably the returns of our dairy farmers. From there onwards it passes ,put toNgaruawahia, ' a small town 'situated in pleasant, surroundings at 'the junction of the .Waikato and Waipa Bivers. It is herd that the first of "tho" coal mining countryis reached, arid foV.the next ten miles the road runs through the mining area. Although it was.' originally thought that the Waikato brown coal was to have but a limited field of usefulness, tho output has been increasing year by year until at present close on 600,000' tons are being turned out in the Tau-piri-Huntly area, a great deal of .this being excellent , house _coal. TAUPZRI MOUNTAIN.» By camping at Ngaruawahia, where there is a camping ground equipped with water and other .facilities, it isi possible to'mako tho ascent of Taupiri mountain—an ascent which is very much easier than the word "mountain" indicates. In actual fact, Taupjri mountain is under 1000 ft in height, and the ascent is made on an easy grade, through a scenic reserve which itself is very beautiful. In a district which is essentially flat, it is natural that a rise such as this provides a very striking view, and on a clear day there are few finer panoramas than that which spreads out before tho climber who reaches the summit. The whole of-the beautiful Waikato valley, indented with the great Waikato river and its numerous tributaries, and hedged in in the dimmest distance by tho mountains, is a sight which will not 'be readily forgotten.

Iroin Taupiri the road passes on through Huntly, the real' centre of the coal mining area, close to which are several extensive mines.

For the remaining fifty odd miles the main road is in perfect order, being metalled throughout and always clearJy dofinod. It passes through Mercer and several other small towns, until it reaches Papakura, some eighteen miles from Auckland, which is really the limit of the suburban area. Here there is a splendid concrete road leading richt to Auckland itself. . . THE HARBOUR CITY. Auckland lias tlio finest harbour in Now Zealand, and.as a holiday resort is unrivalled. It is often said that AuckJanders make ono tired by singing its praises too loudly, but as ono who hails from the South Island, "Trip" affirms that they have something to praise. It is, further, an ideal spot for the motor-ist-camper, because of the excellent facilities prpvided at Tui Glen, these being mado available through private enterprise' and not by the.municipality. A. moderate charge per car is made, but this includes the full .use of facilities such as tennis courts, swimming places, and putting lawns. This camp is about twelve miles from Auckland Post Office, and all supplies can be purchased there.

With this camp as a base, it is possible to make, clay after day, for an almost indefinite period, a series of ox- ( cursions by road,, but in addition to these, harbour excursions ■ cither-- by ferry or by launch should be made. Auckland, which has been fortunate in the gifts it has received from its citizens, is wonderfully equipped with parks and playgrounds, and a number of these aro^well worth visitingi The Tun up to the top of Mount Eden should be mado soon after arriving in Auckland, for in addition to the very excellent view, it gives tho-opportunity of getting a sense.of locality.* A year or two ngo a tea/kiosk was erected close to

the summit, and from this it is possible to enjoy a view of the whole of the northern area. A WONDERFUL ZOO.

The Auckland zoo, certainly the bust in New Zealand, and by many regarded as surpassing, the Sydney zoo, is a place in which a full day can be spent with interest. Situated in an ideal position at AVcstern Springs, it contains a tromondous assortment of animals, and in less than a full d:\y it is^ almost impossible to see them all.

The beaches, however, arc Auckland's piece de resistance, especially ■ during ,the summer months, and from now : on until well after' Easter' they will be daily thronged. Beaches extend to the east, tho north, and the west, and all are worth visiting. The most famous beach in tho vicinity is, of course, tho Muriwai beach, widely known for its motor racing. The eastern beaches from Kohi-mara-ma onwards provide a diversity of typo, and tho road is now passable for a considerable distance.

Another drive which runs through beautiful bush and which provides some excellent glimpses of the surrounding countryside is that out over Titirangi, now a popular run for observation buses.' It is impossible here to enumerate all the interesting journeys that are available in Auckland, for a stay of a month .or more would be needed to encompass them all. It will perhaf's bo sufficient to say that Auckland is the ideal slimmer holiday place, and that .whatever your iuterest it will bo found in Auckland or its environs. Sea beaches galore, boating, launching, and swimming, delightful scenic drives and ample provision for all forms of. sport, combine to mako Auckland a paradise for the holiday-maker, and, because of its exceptional climate, an ideal spot for the motorist-camper.