A beautiful morning in Taupo and team Jackson were so well organised for an early departure that we had to wait 10 mins for reception to open. The camp site here is very well organised and run with very strict security , including a rule that everyone must wear a "smart" wristband at all times. This wristband can be used to pay for drinks etc at the famous "swim up " bar and probably several other things which we did not avail ourselves of. We were warned of dire consequences if said wristbands were not handed in and the account checked before leaving!
We drove south along Lake Taupo which is NZ's largest lake and we could not have seen it in better weather. In total contrast to yesterday which was grey and windy, resulting in a fairly rough lake, today in full sun, brilliant blue skies and very little wind so the lakes is serenely calm. One of the last things we expected to see in summer in this part of NZ was a mountain capped in snow but as you can see there is definitely snow on the upper slopes of this mountain.
I will let the photos speak for themselves but more about the mountains later
All around Taupo are adverts for fishing and it is world renowned as one of the very best places for trout fishing. The town of Turangi at the southern end of the lake seemed to be particularly fishing focussed.
We climbed after leaving the lake and the contrast in scenery was quite remarkable. Firstly we entered the Tongariro National Park and had tremendous views of Mount Ngauruhoe, which apparently featured as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films (and I think you can see why!).
Then there was the snow capped mini range comprising Te HeuHeu, Mount Ruapehu, Tahurangi and Girdlestone. What we had not expected was to then enter a desert, the Rangipo Desert, which was very barren and sandy (well I guess most deserts are sandy).
At Waiouru, we passed the NZ's army's main training base and the army museum and then suddenly all became lush and green again. A coffee stop beckoned and the usual flat whites were ordered (with cake) at a rather sad looking little cafe which clearly had at one time been a railway station on the outskirts of the small town of Taihape. Apparently Taihape is well known as the centre of Gumboot Throwing so I hope you appreciate that this blog keeps you informed about items of vital international importance.
Once through the gumboot metropolis, we experienced a series of remarkable gorges which hardly seemed to get a mention on the map but were quite spectacular.
We were now very much in the heart of NZ farmland and this continued as we turned off Route 1 at Vinegar Hill and shirted the towns of Fielding and Palmerston North heading south towards Marinborough on Route 2. At the town of Carterton signposts encouraged us to turn left to follow one of NZ'z wine trails. Now as you know I am not one to complain but this could be reported under the trade description act since until we reached the outskirts of Martinborough not a vineyard was to be seen; then suddenly they were everywhere.
The camp site was located, camper van parked and then off on our bikes for a quick tour of the vineyards. We resisted the urge to stop at several for tastings (tomorrow for that) and after a lovely ride in intense sun we settled for a glass each at the Martinborough hotel in the town's main square. The LLW had decided that she did not want to eat out this evening and we stocked up on a few more provisions at Four Square and headed back to the site. Note: in smaller towns where there is no New World or Countdown, there is always a Four Square which is a chain (I would guess a franchise) of small to medium convenience stores of a good quality.
Whilst it was lovely to eat out, this evening it was bit of a challenge since it was hot, the evening sun was incredibly intense and our pitch did not have any shade. However, we survived and amazingly did not seen to suffer fron sunburn.
We drove south along Lake Taupo which is NZ's largest lake and we could not have seen it in better weather. In total contrast to yesterday which was grey and windy, resulting in a fairly rough lake, today in full sun, brilliant blue skies and very little wind so the lakes is serenely calm. One of the last things we expected to see in summer in this part of NZ was a mountain capped in snow but as you can see there is definitely snow on the upper slopes of this mountain.
I will let the photos speak for themselves but more about the mountains later
All around Taupo are adverts for fishing and it is world renowned as one of the very best places for trout fishing. The town of Turangi at the southern end of the lake seemed to be particularly fishing focussed.
We climbed after leaving the lake and the contrast in scenery was quite remarkable. Firstly we entered the Tongariro National Park and had tremendous views of Mount Ngauruhoe, which apparently featured as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films (and I think you can see why!).
Then there was the snow capped mini range comprising Te HeuHeu, Mount Ruapehu, Tahurangi and Girdlestone. What we had not expected was to then enter a desert, the Rangipo Desert, which was very barren and sandy (well I guess most deserts are sandy).
At Waiouru, we passed the NZ's army's main training base and the army museum and then suddenly all became lush and green again. A coffee stop beckoned and the usual flat whites were ordered (with cake) at a rather sad looking little cafe which clearly had at one time been a railway station on the outskirts of the small town of Taihape. Apparently Taihape is well known as the centre of Gumboot Throwing so I hope you appreciate that this blog keeps you informed about items of vital international importance.
Once through the gumboot metropolis, we experienced a series of remarkable gorges which hardly seemed to get a mention on the map but were quite spectacular.
We were now very much in the heart of NZ farmland and this continued as we turned off Route 1 at Vinegar Hill and shirted the towns of Fielding and Palmerston North heading south towards Marinborough on Route 2. At the town of Carterton signposts encouraged us to turn left to follow one of NZ'z wine trails. Now as you know I am not one to complain but this could be reported under the trade description act since until we reached the outskirts of Martinborough not a vineyard was to be seen; then suddenly they were everywhere.
The camp site was located, camper van parked and then off on our bikes for a quick tour of the vineyards. We resisted the urge to stop at several for tastings (tomorrow for that) and after a lovely ride in intense sun we settled for a glass each at the Martinborough hotel in the town's main square. The LLW had decided that she did not want to eat out this evening and we stocked up on a few more provisions at Four Square and headed back to the site. Note: in smaller towns where there is no New World or Countdown, there is always a Four Square which is a chain (I would guess a franchise) of small to medium convenience stores of a good quality.
Whilst it was lovely to eat out, this evening it was bit of a challenge since it was hot, the evening sun was incredibly intense and our pitch did not have any shade. However, we survived and amazingly did not seen to suffer fron sunburn.
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