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Published: August 21st 2015
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It’s very wet and boggy here at Hihi Camp. On leaving we helped 3 young tourists who had their campervan sunk on the wet ground. Everyone happily back on the road and we are off to Taupo Bay. Arrived in heavy rain and drove down to beach for a peek before heading to book into the Camping Ground. Taupo Bay Motor Camp is a nice camping ground a family business with very friendly owners/managers. The sun decided to make an appearance later in the afternoon which allowed us to wander 100m down the road to the beach. Another beautiful beach, that looks like it has it all ……fishing, swimming, surfing. The dramatic cliffs at the Southern End of this beach give this place quite a unique feel.
Day 73
With the Birthday Boy on board we leave Taupo Bay and drive to Totara North. Totara North is small settlement on the western side of the Whangaroa Harbour. From the wharf you look directly across to Whangaroa and St Pauls Rock (Lances Birthday treat today is to climb the rock). The Fishing boats at the wharf today are stocking up ready to head out for a few days.
Whangaroa is our next stop. I have some fond childhood memories of fishing off this wharf whilst Dad and Mum were in the Marlin Pub opposite😊 This is very much a fishing community, with a small marina and many boats moored in the harbour. The rain has stopped and off we walk to do St Pauls Rock track. We couldn’t take the Motorhome to the start of the track because of the large Pohutukawa tree hanging low across the road. This track is a good climb and very slippery in places. You need to use the chains higher up to climb up the rocks. (This is a bit like the Mt Pirongia Summit Track). The reward at the top is spectacular with views of the whole Whangaroa Harbour. Only 1 fall down, 1 pair of clay covered pants and no broken bones so was well worth the effort. Before heading back we detoured to another Wharf near Ruatu Bay. We chatted to a local Commerical Fisherman who had his boat at the Wharf. It was in quarantine as it had a worm problem on its hull. Apparently it is called a Fan Worm. Comes from overseas and latches onto
only clean boats, but it also covers all the oysters and shellfish effectively killing them. Picked up worm from Auckland Harbour (This is now a major issue in Auckland and Tauranga Harbours) he had visited there for only 4 days recently. He was pretty gutted as his boat has only recently been antifouled. Tin and copper antifouling will stop these worms from attaching but it is now banned in NZ (Thanks to the authorities). Visiting overseas ships are allowed to use this antifouling and they are allowed to visit our waters so you can certainly understand his frustration. The cost of quarantine, divers removing worms and pulling his boat out water for further inspection is all his. Guess he can kiss his 20k insurance excess plus loss of income goodbye.
Last stop for the day is Tauranga Bay. Parked up right on the water’s edge at the camp, it’s definitely a room with a view. Time for a beer in the deckchair to celebrate Lance’s birthday.
Day 74
The fine day forecasted did not eventuate so it was spent hanging the washing out….. bringing the washing in ………. then hanging it out again. Our walk
was later this afternoon when the tide was out. First we walked west up the beach and over the rocks to a place called Butterfly Bay. A stunning pink sandy beach with a rock archway, a peephole in the cliffs and even a rocky corridor to nowhere. Only one lucky house owner in this Bay.
As the light of the day was slowly fading we opted to head down quickly to Marble Bay at the eastern end of the beach. This Bay is accessible around the rocks at low tide. Lance kindly piggy backed me across the stream at the end as I had sneakers on. I'm not sure his knees thought it was a good idea. All these bays have lovely views out to Stephenson Island and Cone Island. Marble Bay has also has a pink sandy beach with a rocky area at one end. If we were not running out of light there would be some good rock pools to explore.
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