New Zealand 2012 - Post 2

 Sunday 9 Dec

We drove around 5 hours to New Plymouth. This is the first time on the motorways, as last visit we avoided them, so we got to see some new towns and scenery. Purple Agapanthus lillies are flowering everywhere, and there are also lots of Hydrangeas which have been planted, but thrive without care along the roadsides. Once we settled into our accommodation  Braemar Motor Inn (cheap but clean) it was time for a walk downtown to get a few supplies, before a longer walk along the Coastal Walk towards the Port. Dinner was delicious NZ organic free-range pork chops, broccoli, white sweet potato and NZ Chardonnay.

Monday 10 Dec

We decided to go South-west, and pulled into a road which seemed to lead to some shorter walks up the Kaitake Range. The area was called Lucy's Gully and we walked up Waimoku Track through stands of huge pine trees. 

Darryl went a bit further up the track than me, but we arrived back about the same time, as I took it very easy going downhill, so as not to risk my knee. This was a really beautiful area. Next stop was down to the edge of the Tasman Sea to look at the wreck of the 'Gairloch' on the rocks. This was from 1903, and most has rotted away, but a few iron spines still point to the sky. 

Then further around Mt Taranaki was the Pukeiti Gardens. The Rhododendrons, which are featured here, were almost at the end of their flowering, and the Giant Himalayan Lillies were about to start, but we did find some of each in flower. There were lots of other colourful and interesting plants, and as well as plenty of NZ natives along the walks. A huge colourful pigeon was a highlight of the walk.

After lunch we drove back towards the coast and the clouds lifted and we were treated to some fabulous views of Mt Taranaki over lush green fields.

The next stop was Tupare Gardens. These cascade down the side of a hill to the Waiwhakaiho River, which bounds the gardens along two sides. Darryl cooked delicious gluten-free herb sausages for dinner.

New Zealand 2012

Friday 7 Dec

Marc took us to the airport nice an early, which was a huge mistake, as the aircon at the airport was faulty and it was even hotter than we had been at home. (Rocky had been up to 39oC a few days earlier, and there were lots of fires around so it was also really smoky). To top it off the plane was delayed. Eventually, we flew to Brisbane, and arrived at the International Airport. It transpired that the plane from Brisbane to Auckland was also delayed and instead of flying out at 6.30pm, we were taxiing out until 8:40pm, which meant arrival at around 3am. For some reason I really suffered with the cabin compression, although I noticed some others had even more issues than me. I had booked at the Ibis Hotel, which is right near the airport, and a free Park'n'Ride bus took us straight to the front door.

Saturday 8 Dec

Despite my initial misgivings about the proximity to the airport, It is really quiet here, which is good as we were able to have a good sleep, and slept in until 10am. The rooms are really basic, with no cupboard, kettle, cups etc, but Woolies is just across the road, and it was only a couple of hundred metres walk to Ace Car Rentals to pick up the hire car, so really convenient. 

NZ Christmas Tree in full bloom near the airport

We had a very gentle start to the day, basically just a little grocery shopping, before getting the car, as we both seemed to be affected worse by this flight than any others we have done. In the afternoon we decided to go to the Auckland Botanic Gardens. We passed a lookout at the back of the airport and stopped before realising it was the lookout for plane-spotters – there would have been about 30 cars there. 

The navigator (me), having only really basic maps (which didn't actually have most of the roads on them) took us the long and scenic route (actually nearly around the whole perimeter of the gardens before we found the entrance), but it was quite pleasant there.

 Back at the Hotel we celebrated with Chicken and NZ Champagne for dinner before crashing at 8:30pm when it was actually still light.

Eurimbla National Park - Middle Creek

 To get to Eurimbla National Park from the Turkey Beach Road requires crossing this quite rickety wooden bridge across Worthington Creek. I think it has been built just above the high-tide mark.

 We had planned to go to Bustard Head to look at the lighthouse, but it appears there is no longer any public access, and the obstacle course proved too daunting for us...you could only cross this tidal creek at very low tide, only to be met by a locked gate the other side.

This is the road we had just come down. There was a lot of water in the wheel ruts, and Darryl had to be careful to pick the best place for the wheels all along the road.

One of the smaller bogs.

The turn-off to Middle Creek Campground.

One of the views from the top of the hill at the hilltop campground.

Set up for camping, with the solar panel getting the best of the sun.

The LARC crossing Middle Creek. Originally this vehicle came from Rocky High School, it is now used to bring tourists up from Agnes Water.

A large tiger snake on the rocky cliffs below our campsite - bit hard to get a decent photo when you are trying to keep out of its way!

A view of the camp up through the Xanthorrea.

Sunrise from the campsite, looking out towards the ocean.

 

Darryl got out early to get some yabbies for fishing.

One of the many colourful butterflies.

Glassford

Glassford is an abandoned mining town from early last century, which is now part of Dawes National Park. We have been here several times before, and seen the 2 standing chimneys, Blue Bag mine, boarding house chimney etc, but we had never been able to find the cemetery, where 5 children are buried. On Wed we arrived and had some lunch before setting off up the creek on our search. Within half an hour we had found it! It was both exciting, and a little bit of a let-down, as we then looked at each other and said 'what now' as we had been expecting to spend a couple of days on the search. There is very little to show for the cemetery. Someone has made a stamped sheet-metal plaque mounted on timber, and wired up onto a tree. This has the names of the children and dates of death. Beneath a lot of lantana, I saw a right-angle edge, and when we cleared around it found that is was the concrete memorial plaque for Ethel. We looked at other piles of rocks, but could find no further evidence of burials. I decided that I wanted to get a geotagged photo of each of the remaining visible features at the site, so we walked around and Darryl even took me up the hill to the explosives store, which I hadn't seen before. We also walked up the creek, which is flowing more than we have ever seen, and we sat on the rocks enjoying afternoon tea.

The next morning we walked along a road which went up and up and Darryl thought probably led to more mines. At the top of the hill was a warning sign of open shafts, and although there was signs of disturbance, we couldn't see any – mind you, we didn't spend a lot of time looking, as the grass was pretty long, and you don't want to stumble on one unseen.

Back at camp we had lunch, and I had a nap while Darryl walked along the creek. We then decided to head off, and drove to Kalpower State Forest, before finally stopping at Gaeta Recreational Reserve.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glassford_Creek_Smelter_Sites