SUMMER BY THE SEASIDE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1929, Page 7 (Supplement)

SUMMER BY THE SEASIDE

The Lure of Taranaki’s Beaches

Beaches stretching themselves lazily in the sunshine, listening to the patient wash of the 'sea; green rollers curling and breaking in tumbling foam and. water cruising inquiringly up the sand, exploring every hollow; and in the mind each little affair of the world getting up' and going for a stroll, and never coming back again! Yes. Set in the graceful coast of Taranaki are the beaches,small or large, gay or quiet, each with a definite character,, but all .with- a basic charm. And in the sunshine the Taranaki coast is marvellously fair.

:A long smooth stretch of. g.’eyish sand <■' ’ (sloping-gently down to a -white-crested line 0f crashing breakers, a crowd of holiday-mak-crs rbf' all, .ages,’ some in the 'warm sand, others in the ccol„-.surf or in the blue sea Ibeyond; perhaps,’ in the . background, an • ocean lindr puffing its lazy way across the - [view, perhaps' a small canoe daringly * riding < jthe swelling tide, the sun, hot -and bright, ■ sparkling against: the water''and'glistening against the sand.' - .'.■'•• ■ y 1 .About 150 miles of-winding coastline gird ■ JFaranaki’s western boundary, and dotted < along this maritime border might be nu,mIbered almost as many beaches. On ’these

* Ibeaches numerous energetic societies .are ;■ spending much time and money in providing < .better: facilities -for enjoyment, and soon the ; better known beaches of to-day will'gradu- • ally be enhanced, '' the lesser known resorts [will, come more- and • more into prominence fend, in the., summer.‘the coastline of Tarhnaki f- [Will become a noted, watering place. ’ ‘ There is mucli .to. support./.this elaini. Safety . is a condition that .is of . paramount Importance where. : beaches are concerued—iafety/from kharks, and safety .from treacherous ocean currents. No'Taranaki beach is

[ menaced, .by the sharks that terrorize Syd- , Bey’s bathers, and r few ' places., are, subject ' ' to the. tidal conditions which make swimming ■flangdrqus. Should an/ unpractised swimmer get into, difficulties life-saving.-reels are handy / at many of the/.beaches,/'while more reels,are being distributed by the Taranaki Head Cen-' [tie of the Royal Life-Saving Society at the ... lesser frequented localities. At the more popular beaches members of the various. 11 fe-sav- ' ing clubs are almost always at hand, keep- ’ ing a keen eye- on -the unwary or too daring ’ .bather. .' ' "■ ' ■

'.Camping grounds are situated near practically'all of-the'.beaches and most of these have every facility for the traveller. ; The majority' nestle in most beautiful surroundings—grassy patches shaded by native bus’ll, perhaps by: dear mountain streams.'ln .some €>f the' streams excellent fresh water swiinminginay be-had while both sea and stream give splend d fishing and.boating. ! A tour of the better known .beaches along {Taranaki's coastline, from Awakino in the tiorth to Patea in the, south, ,is .undertaken (bp. this page as a guide to prospective holiday makers.

AWAKING.— WhiIe Awakino, territorially speaking, is in- the Auckland province, it may- be safely claimed that most of its interests are with Taranaki. Situated a few miles north of the Mokau River, the township forms a fitting gateway to the province. The visitor from the north has already been delighted with the scenery of the Awakino Valley where the main road runs with the twisting Awakino .River. Awakino itself, in the’ beach, has more in store. Beach’ visitors have at their disposal a first class camping ground set in pretty, surroundings. Bathing conditions are of the best, for the beach is extremely ■ safe. In- the sea and the riverthere is • great sport for the angler, whil®

boating provides yet . another attraction. Terinis courts and a howling green are at hand.

MOKAU.—Mokau . attracts ■ the visitor with its swimming, fishing and boating excellence and its. distinctive beauty. Here again a camp site, provides a welcome: stopping place for the tourist. The beaches at both Mokau and Awakino draw larger crowds each summer. The visitor to Mokau has always the opportunity ;of a launch trip up the - river, where the; scenery is 'as ./rich as that of the Wanganui River. .*. ■■■ ' ■’

TONGAPORUTU;—Fishing and swimming go hand in . hand at-Tongaporutu. The visitor, again under canvas at a roomy campsite," spends his time bathing in either the sea or' the Tongaporutu River or. tries his Ipek with a fishing line' among the. swarms of kahawhai and schnapper. Some remarkably large “bags’’ have been reported from this fisherman’s paradise.

URENUL—Once again beach and river join ip making an ideal pleasure resort.. An .< energetic Beach Society is bilsy in developing ■ the .'beach and its surroundings and' has ,al- fready made a particularly fine camping ground with facilities for the’ traveller? As " Urenui is only 20 miles from New Plymouth ■it is becoming a favourite'spot for week-end .picnics. Tennis players have grass courts’, for their: use / and a’ domain is nearby. Recently, a life-saving reel-was placed, on the beach by the-Taranaki Head Centre .of the Royal" Life-Saving Society. **# * ■ WAlTARA.—Everything that the beach visitor could reasonably wish for, the Waitara beach has. Situated on the western side of the river mouth, the beach is one of the finest and- safest in Taranaki. Thanks largely to the work of the Waitara Seaside' Improvement and Surf-Bathing Society the locality’ has been extensively : developed and now provides man/ facilities of which even beaches’ adjacent to cities .cannot ,boast. A camping ground has been provided,..and dressing pavilions erected, while refreshment rooms serve the visitors throughout, the summer' •months. The children* Mye not been forgotten and in- one. part of the. reserve is a well equipped children’s playground.. Waitara beach also has a life-saving’society reel.

BELL BLOCK. — Practically unknown until recently, the beach at Bell Block is steadily gaining in the popularity that such a pleasant spot deserves. Bathing is very good, though the sands are changeable from day to day. There is a delicious hint of privacy in the fact that, the beach at Bell Block is a few miles from the main road. The traveller from the north turns to the right at the Bell Bloch factory. Here again is a life-saving reel. ' -

FITZROY.— Now equipped- with a large camping -area, bathing sheds and a tennis court, the;grounds of the Fitzroy beach have undergone a transformation during recent years. Once; billy a long, wide stretch of sand that looked inviting enough -but knew few

visitors, Fitzroy beach has become almost as well known as the older resort at Ngamotu. For the bather who loves breaker after crash-ing-breaker, here is his paradise. Children may play here with the utmost • safety for there are-no treacherous holes and the sand slopes 'very gently. Near the bathing sheds has been built a children’s playground. A lifesaving reel is on the beach while members of the Fitzroy Surf Club are h-arly always' at hand in case of accidents.

EAST END.— East End and the Fitzroy •beach link up in a long, unbroken stretch of sand, the East End beach extending about half a mile westward. This beach, only about a mile from the centre of New Plymouth,- has long,been a favourite pleasure resort and is the scene of many, picnics. A large palladium gives ample dressing accommodation on the ground floor, while upstairs is a large-dance floor, which, in summer, is divided into a number of flats. Winding its way into the sea near the palladium, the Henui River is dammed in the summer months and a long stretch of deep water-delights the bather who prefers fresh water - swimming. Canoes of all sizes and shapes,-all styles, and colours nose up and down the stream- piloted- by happy youngsters who know what real fun-is. To the-mother who. seeks some pleasant spot to spread She family’s luncheon, there is the choice of the sand or the grassed terraces, shaded by tall pohutukawas. Swings, see-saws and roundabouts amuse; the children, while two tennis courts are close' at hand for anyone who wishes to play.-” ’ - '

KAWAROA.—Kawaroa Park is the children’s paradise. ( A beautiful stretch of green that hugs the foreshore for. about half a - mile, it is the finest children’s playing ground in. Taranaki. A stony beach forbids jswim- ■ ming, but what does' that matter! ’ Should . the -kiddies -tire of the swings and’ ocean 7 ■waves, the slides and sea-saws (and that is hardly possible) they may always play to Jheir. heart’s content among the rocks, searching for crabs or angling for the quick rock fish. Then, for the tiny tot, there is a paddling P oo k safe because it is at high-water mark and because it is not too deep. Within the park are tennis courts and croquet greens, while the New. Plymouth municipal salt-water baths adjoin. ■ Lawns and shady clumps of trees make ideal picnic places, away- from, the noise and bustle of towns and command-

ing magnificent views of the sea, the New Plymouth harbour and the sugar loaves. A large bungalow in a central position is a tea-room by day and a dance hall by night. Not-far from the western boundary .of Kawaroa is the well equipped and spacious New Plymouth (Belt Road) camp site, the. goal of many motorists each summer.

NGAMOTU.— lmagine nearly a mile ol broad sands, a blue sea with gentle lapping waves, a long row of red and white cottages, hundreds and hundreds of bathers, ships in the distance and a snow-capped mountain away to the left —then you have Ngamotu, Taranaki’s most popular beach. Situated about two and a-half miles from New' Plymouth and near the Belt Road motor camping ground, Ngamotu attracts thousands from all over Taranaki and beyond each year. There are many reasons for its popularity. No New Zealand beach could have a better claim as regards safety than Ngamotu, for there are no dangerous czirrents of deep holes. Proximity to the New Plymouth harbour is another attraction and the. big liners are explored especially by the people from inland districts. From the wharves and the breakwater there is excellent fishing and often large catches of trevalli, schnapper, gurnet,, mackerel and herring are made.

Ngamotu possesses a large palladium with dressing accommodation on the ground floor and a dining room capable of - seating 150 guests on the first floor. Neaflby are swings and roundabouts for the children. Visitors desiring to spend considerable time at Ngamotu may hire one of the many beach cottages where an .ideal holiday may be spent with all the convenience of a home. New Year’s 1 Day is Ngamotu’s event of the year, when the Ngamotu Seaside Committee and the New Plymouth Rowing Club combine to hold a huge gala day. Last year 1300 cars were accommodated at the beach on gala day. «on w ■ PARITUTU. — Stretching east and west from the base of towering Pari tutu - are two beaches, both smooth and sandy and both well known to bathers'. The first is short, and ends with-the rocks that-skirt -Mikotahi, but the second stretches well down the foreshore in a straight line of flashing breakers. On the lower slopes of Pari tutu and the lupincovered sand-hills are the picnic places and in the surroundings is quiet and peace. Though both beaches are equipped with reels, bathers should give the rocks at the foot of Paritutu a. wide berth, for the strong rush of water'here has dangers for the unwary.

OAKURA.—OnIy eight miles from New Plymouth along a tar-sealed road, Oakuni offers the visitor both swimming and‘fishing of a high order. Oakura is a beach which has come into prominence of recent years and each season sees greater crowds of visitors, not only from New Plymouth but from further afield. A reel has been placed on the be' ,Al ’ by the Royal Life-Saving Society.

OPUNAKE.—Opunake beach and . its surroundings .have been likened to Coogee beach at Sydney. A smooth beach at the head of a shallow bay, sheltered by high cliffs and warmed by summer sun, Opunake beach has an irresistible lure to hundreds of holidaymakers each year. . The. cluster of cottages on the beach and the lodgings in the township nearby are fully taxed in the Christmas and New Year holidays, and many visitors

have to settle down under canvas. A pavj ilion set in a central position contains a shop and a large tea-room, the latter on occasions being converted into a very fine dancing hall. Dressing sheds for swimmers are situ- . a'ted. nearby. Besides swimming and surfing, excellent sea-fishing is to be had from the pier, or trout-fishing in the several mountain streams running into the sea neafiby. The safety of bathers is assured by the fact that Opunake possesses the strongest life-saving club in . Taranaki, and there is scarcely an hour when some member is not about.

GREENMEADOWS . —A beach farm holiday in a comfortable cottage overlooking tho sea—that is what Greenineadows offers the visitor. Situated three miles from Opunake on the main South Road, Greenmeadows has ideal swimming and fishing facilities both in sea and river. A spacious camping ground attracts, the motorist, while all the requirements of campers may be had on the spot. Amusements are provided for children.

KAUPOKONUI. —Recognised as one of the finest 'beaches in Taranaki, Kaupokonui is the favourite seaside pleasure ground of many South Taranaki people, and more especially of Manaia and its immediate district. There is a first-class swimming pool in the Kaunokonui River, which enters the sea at the Lach. The river contains lusty trout for the angler and good catches are made from the sea/

■ ■ OHAWE.—Nestled amid high hills at the mouth of the Waingongoro River, Ohawe, the beach suburb of Hawera, has all the ingredients for an enjoyable seaside holiday. The visiting motorist may make use of a large camping area, or perhaps he has engaged one of 'the numerous bachs. that make, up -this holiday village. . Sheds. on tlie beach provide for the swimmer, a couple of stores have the camper desires) and a post office had. recently been opened. The beach is long, with rolling breakers, and near the mouth of the Waingongoro is a deep fresh-water pool. Ohawe is rich in historical associations, and nearby are an old redoubt .and cemetery. Reels have been placed on the, beach while members of the Ohawe Life-Saving- Club are almost always about to help swimmers in distress. ’ • . -. : ■ .•

f) o » v . 0 : . WAIHI.—A good beach, facilities for, visi-

tors and a spacious parking area are what the tourist finds at Waihi, a seaside locality only three and a-half miles from Hawera. There are bathing sheds and, in summer, stores are opened on the beach.

MOKOlA.—Growing in popularity because access has been recently much improved, Mokoia beach is now drawing 7 many visitors who had previously preferred neighbouring resorts. The beach, an extensive stretch of black sand, provides the best of swimming and surfing, while splendid fresh, water swimming is to be had In the Tongahoe River. New dressing accommodation’ for bathers has recently been built and there is a good parking area for the motorist, A. reel has been placed, on. this beach and members of the Mokoia Surf Club are nearly always at hand •in case of emergency. Not far from here is the tiny beach of Manawapou. '

PATE A. —Situated within the breakwater at the mouth of the Patea River, the Patea beach,, a sweeping stretch of flat sand, offers safe swimming to the hundreds of bathers who visit it during the summer/ Yet it is a place where the thrills of surfing may be experienced, for the swirling southerly rollers come roaring off the channel to spend tlsir force on the shores. Recently a fine

bathing pavilion, fitted with every conveni* ence, was erected on the beach. A la,i*g« ■ camping area is for" the ' traveller. Many cottages-have been built near the beach while sites for -the erection bf others are offered by the harbour board'at a nominal fee. As with Ohawe, the Patea . beach/ [locality..../ boasts honourable acquaintance with’ days/ of the Maori War. A surf-and life-saving,club/ equipped with reel and line, has been . form- ,//- ed to safeguard bathers. , ;