ANZAC Day (the NZ equivalent of Remembrance Day) fell on a Thursday this year so taking the Friday as time off in lieu from work made for a proper long weekend. We set off (VERY) early on Thursday morning to a part of the North Island we hadn't yet explored - Taranaki. On the West Coast, Taranaki's motto is 'like no other' - which we thought was kind of apt. Stunning surf beaches, with the backdrop of Mount Taranaki makes it a beautiful little part of NZ.
We had two nights at a beach side campsite in New Plymouth, attending an ANZAC Day service on the Thursday as well as visiting some of New Plymouth's beautiful parks, and the really brilliant museum (perfectly timed for the showery weather).
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| War Memorial on Anzac Day |
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First torii gate we've seen in a while -
a gift of New Plymouth's sister city Mishima |
On the Friday we did a fantastic hike around Egmont National Park - getting a good way up the central volcano - Mount Taranaki (we decided to listen to the Department of Conservation Ranger who 'strongly' advised us not to try for the top given the conditions!)
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| Hazy views |
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| The clouds did finally clear |
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| And we got to see the top! |
After an epic BBQ and an even more epic night's sleep in the van we spent the morning running the 10km coastal path before packing up for the next part of the adventure...
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| Prepping for the bbq (aided by a drop of red) |
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| A sunset walk |
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| Hot coals |
Flicking through the Lonely Planet we stumbled across a mention of the Forgotten World Highway - a road linking Stratford to Taumaranui. The LP described the road as 'winding through hilly bush country' with a stepped back in time feel - it turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in NZ so far. The road was beautifully isolated, with several historical sites en route giving a feeling of the pioneer days when the road and railway were built and the first settlers started to farm the hilly land.
We had a quick stop halfway at Whangamomona - a self proclaimed republic (they declared independence in the 80s when a Council re-organisation split the district down the middle) - enjoying a pint with a combination of the locals and several scary looking leather clad bikers.
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| Matt wanted to get his passport stamped |
We decided to stay for the night in a campsite just beyond Whangamomona - perched on a hill the campsite has the best views of anywhere we've stayed so far.
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| 360 degree views - just like this! |
We shared the small site with a German family of mum, dad and two daughters aged three and five. They were on a cycling holiday and were carrying everything between the two of them - the picture below gives you an idea of how ambitious this is!
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| A little laden - but they were happy! |
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| Luxurious camping accommodation in comparison |
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| What a spot! |
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| Fantastic sunset again |
The next morning we opened up the back door of the van and were treated to a completely new view - the clouds rolling in were stunning.
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| Above the clouds |
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| Pylons popping up into the distance |
We left reluctantly to carry on the forgotten highway and before too long back in Auckland.
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| Amazing road tunnel carved through the hill |
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| Autumn colours (and Carrie the Van) |
