Driving the 309 road

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[youtube=JyiLaCN7Jiw]

Took our time packing up and made some breakfast and then left our bags at the hostel and walked over to the car place. Signed the contract and got the keys. We get the car for $50/day with unlimited km’s and we just pay for petrol. Was then shown the car a little Nissan Bluebird. Never heard of those back home but was a cool car. Yes, luckily it was an automatic!

I drove it back to the hostel which was so weird. First of all, you’re in the opposite side of the car of to drive and then you have to remember to keep left or the opposite side of the road and you have to remember to look the other way for traffic haha. But I got us there. Vera drove us over to the Pak and save to get some more food supplies as we were going to the northern tip of the Coromandel peninsula which doesn’t have much for cheap groceries.

I drove us out of town and the highway goes right along the coast and is quite windy. We stopped at a picnic spot right on the coast for some lunch. We then drove up to the town of Tapu where we drove the “309” road which quickly turns into a gravel road or as they say “unsealed” roads. It was very windy and pretty narrow for 2 cars so we didn’t go very fast. We stopped at a watergarden that you can walk around and then hike up to a waterfall. Continue on our way with Vera driving now. It was such an amazing scenic drive. You basically drive up and over mountain ranges and overlook green valleys and ocean.

Our next stop was a waterworks place but it wasn’t very good and was really meant more for kids I think. Also, not everything was working haha so that sucked. So off we went. We made it to Colville around 5:30pm.

Pulled into our hostel which is actually on a farm. There was one other person staying at the hostel but we had a farmhouse all to ourselves pretty much. We made our pasta dinner and then watched a bit of tv while Vera built us a wood fire in the fireplace to keep us warm. Troy came in later who is the other guy staying there. He is actually a kiwi who was doing some work on a friend’s beach house. His sister married a canadian guy from Saskatchewan but it was hilarious to hear him try to pronounce Saskatchewan.

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Photos

Our car
Nissan Bluebird

ducks
One flew up at me for the bread

In the non drivers seat?
Haha weird!

Comments

[Lorna]

Driving
Laurene..watch out of the dirt roads that have paved sections with white lines..Talking with Sarah about their trip to Ayer's Rock and they came across these paved sections, and these are for the airplanes bring in doctors..So you not only have to watch for oncoming vehicles but planes above!!! If you can get to Sarah's facebook some lovely pictures of what is upcoming for you next year. Take care, drive save and lovely the updates.. Lorna

[Nicole]

Paved section on road
Hi Laurene, Slight correction to your comment. Ayer's Rock is in Australia, We in New Zealand do not have those sections of road. We have airfields for all planes so do not be alarmed about driving on gravel roads in NZ. That is just way senic road are over here. Adds to the experience I think. Cheers from NZ