Overland Route—Auckland to Wellington.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 23

Overland Route—Auckland to Wellington.

* We are advised by Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son that on Januthy 2nd a start was made with the new overland journey to Wellington by special launch between Taumaranui and Pipiriki, the first party as organised and booked by the firm consisting of Sir Donald and Lady Robertson and friend, Mr and Mrs Joseph Could, Mrs and Miss Elworthy, and. Messrs. Baker (2), nine in all. ■ Until sucn tune as good accommodation can be erected at Taumaranui, Messrs. Hatriek and Co. provide for up-river passengers their floating houseboat midway between Pipiriki and that point, down trips being arranged to suit .the demand. During the summer months from now onwards, however, Messrs. Hatriek and Co. intend running a launch weekly, leaving Taumaranui every Saturday morning at 6.30 a.m. At the present time accommodation is available at Taumaranui for 8 to 10 people. Trains leave Auckland daily at 10 a.m., arriving at Taumaranui 8.10 p.m. The Saturday launch leaves that point at 6.30 a.m., and arrives at Pipiriki about 5 p.m. same evening. The Sunday can be pleasantly spent at Pipiriki, and the river steamer taken on Monday onward to Wanganui, from whieh place daily communication can be bad with the South to Wellington, or back to Auckland via New Plymouth. A pleasant change in route is afforded by taking coach from Pipiriki to Tokaanu, steamer across Lake Taupo, coach on to Rotorua, and rail back to Auckland, this ideal round trip covering the greater part of the North Island’s finest scenic and wonderland. The cost of trip from Auckland, first rail to taumaranui, launch and steamer onwards to Wanganui is £3 12/10, or if second rail be taken £3 5/6 (exclusive of hotel expenses en route); if from Auckland to Welington, first throughout £4 8/7, or if second rail £3 15/, Prom Auckland back to Auckland, via Wanganui River, returning vja New Plymouth, travelling tickets first throughout would cost but £5 16/; if second rail is taken £5 4/2. The round trip from Auckland to Pipiriki by way of the upper reaches of the Wanganui River, thence by coach, etc., overland through Rotorua and back to Auckland is £9, and a more enjoyable round trip for an Aucklander or visitor in search of new scenic fields cannot well be found. Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son represent Messrs. Hatriek and Co., the proprietors of the steamer service, and have received a largo number of inquiries concerning this attractive trip already, and there is every prospect of it becoming an exceedingly popular one.