HOLIDAY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21378, 30 December 1932, Page 8

HOLIDAY SEASON

VISITORS TO THAMES POPULAR COAST RESORTS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] ' THAMES,. Thursday The Thames coast and the Coromandel Peninsula have received more attention from motor tourists t his year than ever before. Tents dot the long 20-mile stretch of coast from Thames to Kereta, while from Coromandel to Colville, and on to Port Charles, as well as from Mercury Bay to Tairua, visitors are gathered in greater numbers than in previous years The roads are in good condition. There is a veritable canvas town at Puru, and all the choice camp sites are taken up. Tourists proceeding to Colville by car can now take the Port Jackson Road, which is in fair order, except at Big Bay, where the bridge requires negotiating carefully. The routo follows the coast all the way as far as the granite quarry, and splendid fishing can be indulged in, whilo the scenery is unequalled anywhere. New sign-posts have been erected on the Hikuai-Coroglen road.

During the holidays there has been almost a procession of motor-cars from outside the district to the lesser-known parts of the peninsula, and visitors are eulogistic of the natural beauty displayed everywhere. TOURING BY ROAD MOTORISTS IN THE WAIKATO [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Thursday Full advantage of the fine weather has been taker? by Hamilton residents to enjoy the Christmas vacation by road and sea. Always very popular with people residing in the Waikato, the beaches at Tauranga, Waihi and Raglan Harbour have again drawn large numbers of visitors. The picturesque situation of the Hamilton motorists' camp on the banks of the Waikato River has resulted in the site being well patronised by visitors from all parts of the North and South Island. During the past week or two there has been an average of more than a dozen tents pitched on the ground each night, while a number of motorists have extended their stay over several days. The increasing popularity of the camping holiday with motorists is indicated by the large number of cars to be seen on the main roads in the district, luggagecarriers and running boards being piled high with camping equipment. The Waikato headquarters of the Auckland Automobile Association have been kept fully occupied during the past week supplying information and answering inquiries regarding suitable routes. It is evident that an increasing number of motorists are desirous of breaking fresh ground, among the routes attracting considerable interest being the new West Coast scenic road from Awakino to Kawhia and Raglan. A POPULAR BEACH MANY TENTS AT OHOPE ' [BY TELEGRAPH —own correspondent] WHAKATANE. Thursday Ideal weather conditions prevail for the holidays, rain having fallen almost every night, while the days have been hot and sunny. Unusually large numbers of people are camped at Ohope Beach, which is becoming increasingly popular. Tourists from as far south as Christchurch are camped there, and the opinion is expressed that before long it will be ranked among the most popular resorts in the Dominion. VISITORS TO GISBORNE ROADS IN GOOD ORDER (by telegraph—own correspondent] GISBORNE. Thursday The Christinas holidays this year have been marked by a singular freedom from accidents of a serious nature on the roads in the Gisborne district. Large numbers of visitors have been coming through from both north and south, the roads being in good order.