Today we drove from the east coast across to Taumaranui, not quite to the west coast yet, but getting there. We started the day on SH 2, on to SH 30 to Rotorua, SH 5 to Wairakei, across the top of Lake Taupo on a secondary road to SH 32 which took us down the western side of the lake to the Kuratau Junction, where we turned right on to SH 41 to Taumarunui.
So, a day of driving, with only a few leg-stretch stops along the way. Today was the first day we’ve had rain on the trip, though it was showers rather than constant and the temperature has remained warm. Mind you, one or two showers were so heavy the windscreen wipers could scarcely cope. Not many photos today because of the rain. The landscapes were beautiful and varied, as you’d expect crossing the volcanic plateau: green pasture, brown hills, lush native forest, lakes, steam gushes, volcanic outcrops . . . Also some clear-felled hillsides that were not so beautiful.
We’re at the Taumarunui camping ground for two nights, in a cabin. The camping grounds are busy, with a number of motor homers arriving since we got here. And most of the cabins seem full, mostly cyclists. We have chooks roaming around, which is nice on one level but does mean being careful when walking outside.
Tomorrow we do the golf cart jiggers along the disused Taumarunui to Stratford railway line.
Off Highway One 