TOURING IN PROVINCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21069, 31 December 1931, Page 8

TOURING IN PROVINCE.

MANY HOLIDAY MOTORISTS. NORTH AUCKLAND ATTRACTIONS RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS. The present holiday season is proving to bo a record one for motor touring in the Auckland Province. Thousands of travellers are undertaking camping tours and the enjoyment of motor touring has been assisted to a great extent by tho favourable weather and roading conditions. Tho staff of tho Auckland Automobile Association has experienced ono of its busiest Christmas periods in advising visitors and prospective motor campers, many of whom have come from southern centres. There has been a keen inquiry for information and the demand is expected to be maintained throughout January. Reports show that many tourists from the South Island and the southern districts of tho North Island are working their way northward by easy stages, and there should bo a considerable influx of the campers to tho city in tho New Year. An interesting feature noted by officers of the association has boon a doubt among some tourists from small towns concerning their ability in negotiating busy Auckland thoroughfares such as Queen Street and Ivarangahape Road. Several people have stated their desire to avoid tho city area as they journey to the North Auckland peninsula. They liavo been directed along suburban roads. Trend to Seaside. Up to the present time a decided trend toward tho beaches and tho seaside resorts of tho Auckland Province has been apparent. Coromandel Peninsula, which offers magnificently rugged coastal scenery, as well as tho advantages of nativo bush and excellent beaches, has found remarkable favour, and appears to bo taking its place as one of the most popular touring districts. The roads on the peninsula have been in a satisfactory state and Colville, Coromandel, Mercury Bay and Tapu have attracted many holidaymakers. Tho number of motorist-campers ii> North Auckland is said to be phenomenally large. Many ambitious motorists liavo undertaken tho long journey to Pandora, Spirits Bay, the northernmost settlement in New Zealand, and other points of interest havo been Waipoua Kauri Forest, Trounson Kauri Park and tho superb beaches and harbours of the north-east coast.. Some travellers who have called at tho Auckland Automobile Association's Whangarei office havo shown an incomplete knowledge of tho North Auckland district and have had a confused idea of tho nature of their tours. It is considered advisable for tourists to obts.in full information and efficient road maps in Auckland before proceeding to the North There have also been reports of several accidents on the road to Russell, particularly on tho narrow section between Mokau and Helena Bay. Careful driving is essential at that point. Ninety-Mile Beach is attracting many tourists, especially in view of tho forthcoming land speed attempt by Mr. Norman Smith, and other points on the west coast, from Hokianga Harbour down to Kaipara, Muriwai, Piha, Bethel's and Karekare, havo been extremely popular. Crowds Visit Rotorua. Tho excellent weather has permitted good travelling on tho North Auckland roads and it is considered probable that, in the event of the increased traffic being maintained, greater allocations for maintenance will be necessary. Tho Bay of Plenty district and Rotorua have appealed to many campers. At tho beginning of the week the municipal motor camp at Rotorua was accommodating the occupants of more than 200 cars. Reports from Gisborno show that the Poverty Bay district is well in the fore as an area favoured by motorists. The trend to the seaside has also been apparent there and Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Te Araroa have been visited freely. A journey to the East Coast has an additional fascination because of the excellence of the mountain and gorge scenery in the Urewera Country. Motor tourists of tho present day show themselves in a light vastly different from that of the pioneers of this form of holidaymaking. The most modern equipment and many kinds of labour-saving contrivances are preferred by the tourist this season. Camp beds and commodious tents have replaced the ground sheets and the spare shelters of the motor tourist of a few years ago,. CAMP AT WHANGAREI. GOOD PATRONAGE ACCORDED. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHAN GA It EI, Wednesday. Some months ago the Auckland Automobile Association made representations to the Whangarei Borough Council to havo tho existing camping facilities for motorists at Kensington Park, Whangarei, increased,, owing to there now being an all-weather road from Auckland to Whangarei. The council has in consequence spent a substantial sum in improving and enlarging the accommodation, which was justified, as is shown by the large number of motorists taking advantage of the ground. A tally taken at Silverdale of all cars passing North on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day shows that over 800 cars proceeded northward, and a largo proportion of these passed through Whangarei, many stopping in tho town or proceeding to camping localities on tho shores of the harbour. The tourists are particularly well pleased with the attractions of the district, one of the most popular trips being a round ono from Whangarei to Ngunguru, Matapouri, Sandy Bay and back via Hikurangi. Another favourite is to the Wairua Falls. All the northern roads aro in good condition, although, should heavy rain fall, the clay surface roads may bo difficult. Motorists are advised to exercise care on the Russell Road in tho neighbourhood of Helena Bay, where the road isL. narrow and well patronised at present.