We had a house project to tick off over the Easter holidays – prep and stain the eaves. That completed, we escaped in the camper for a couple of days. I’ve been wanting to check out the Hamilton Gardens with their walled gardens for a while now so we decided to start there.
There is huge construction going on at the front of the walled garden area making a new entrance, visitors centre and other area. This meant we entered to one side and almost directly into the English flower garden. Even though it’s autumn now, there are plenty of flowers and they contrast nicely with the autumn leaves. We wander along, through doorways into different panoramas. We just keep going without referencing the map I printed at home. It’s quite surreal to step from a Chinese sanctuary into an Italian renaissance courtyard, then into a pre-European Māori landscape. The surrealist garden has oversized garden utensils and moving branches, then you’re meandering through herb gardens and kitchen gardens.
Some stand outs were the Egyptian & Mansfield gardens. We reached a courtyard with signs promising some new gardens to come and checked our map. We’d missed a couple of gardens so backtracked to check them off then with a rain shower threatening, we headed to the cafe for lunch overlooking Turtle Lake. After lunch and with the sky clear again, we walked around the lake then did a circuit along the riverside and back through Echo Bank bush and Bussaco woodlands.
Back at the van and we discussed where to go for the night. Decision made, we headed off to Lake Ngaroto. We’ve stayed here before and it’s an easy 15/20 minute drive. We park up with our back door to the lake and go for a hike around the 6km loop track. It is being restored back to a natural state with Raupo wetlands and regenerative bush to encourage the birds back. Takes us more than an hour though with photo taking stops. Back at the van for drinks and nibbles, then dinner. We discuss what to do tomorrow. I’ve got 3 places pinned on Google maps as places that could be interesting to check out. All within an hour or so of each other so a loose plan is formed.
Next morning Greg goes off to try and photograph some birds at dawn. I sort the camper and read my book. Relaxing. A 10 minute drive to Te Awamutu and we stop for coffee in an interesting looking cafe. We assume it used to be a bank. Now it’s decked out with car memorabilia, route 66 signs, old license plates and posters, magazine covers… The walls are covered.
Our first destination is St Paul’s church and the site of Rangiaowhia. I’d heard about this place watching a documentary about the NZ Wars. From a place of peace, this site had become a place of massacre. nothing but a plaque shows the location of the second church burned to the ground with many women and children sheltering inside. Once more it is peaceful green countryside. We pay our respects and move on.
Our next destination is Pukemako. A windy road with many switchbacks leads up to a hilltop site. Once again it is only signs and a few concrete remains that tell the story of a TB sanatorium that existed here. My great grandfather was shipped home from WW1 without an arm and with TB. He was in and out of various sanatorium’s for the couple of years he survived. I wonder if he spent time here. His death notice states his final resting place at a sanatorium in Putāruru, a little further south.
The third destination is Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve, a place I’d accidentally found when looking for Pukemako. Google map sets us on roads we didn’t even know existed. We had an impromptu stop at a reservoir and Te Miro Mountain Bike Park. Another hidden jewel.
Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve is a hillside of regenerative bush donated in 1993. There are various tracks and we plot out one via the log hauler site and up to the ridge, then along to the lookout. From there it was down 300 steps to a Kawakawa grove, then a Kauri grove and a pa site on our way back to the carpark.
Now, where to go tonight? I’m thinking of Orini Church Hall, an easy 8 minute drive since it’s now quarter to five. Greg’s like – boring. Let’s go to Ray’s Rest! Okay, google says 59 minutes. Hope it’s not full! More driving on roads we’ve never been on. Then suddenly we’re on SH27 and it’s pretty straightforward from there. The tide is in and the sun is dropping towards the Hunua ranges when we arrive. Plenty of space and we park up side on to the sea. Drinks and nibbles quickly to hand. It’s been an interesting day, not too full on but it feels like it’s not the same day as the Lake this morning. Post dinner wander along the sand. The tide is going out and the birds are coming in. Feasting on the mudflats.
Next morning and Greg’s up early again. Off with his camera. Funny how he is definitely not a morning person at home but every time in the camper, there is something to motivate him up and out. Once again I chill and read. Finish my book so I go for a walk and find him. Crouched in the sand, patiently waiting.
It’s a very relaxed morning and nearly lunchtime before we depart. We’re going to go home today as someone wants to look at a car we’ve got on trade me tomorrow. No need to hurry tho. Clevedon for a coffee and a wander then we cut through to Whitford. There is a wetlands area Greg heard about. So lunch at Whitford Beach, not really a beach, more of a muddy point then we find the wetlands and go for a walk.
Eventually we’re done and head home. Relaxed, recharged and rested. We pick up pizza to take home for dinner.
The Waikato has so much to offer for chilled exploring. We must take our bikes sometime and cycle some of the trails available too.
BAGGAB 