Day 3 Taranaki Fall and Lake Rotopounama

Today we had to pack our bags and check out before heading out for some more walking. The first walk left from nearby the Chateau and took us up above the Taranaki Falls. Along the way we got more spectacular views of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu- we have been so lucky with the weather. We then descended down to the falls and then walked back along the river.

We returned to the Chateau, the others boarded the bus, we followed them in our hire car to Lake Rotopounamu. It was about a 2 hour walk around the lake, we heard lots of birds as we walked around. Half way around the lake we stopped for lunch on the edge of the lake a very restful spot and a nice spot to celebrate the end of our three days of walking.

Back at the car park it was time to say our goodbyes, we had about an hours drive to Taupo where we were staying the night. We settled into our hotel, went for a wander around the town and after a light dinner we headed out to soak in some hot springs which was very relaxing.

Day 2 The Tongariro Crossing

The Tongariro Crossing is one of the top 10 day walks in the world, this is the main reason we came to New Zealand and had been training for. We ended up doing it on my birthday and it was one of the best birthdays I have had, loved every minute of it. We were picked up from the Chateau at 5am- so it was a 4:30am start. The day was clear and cold and turned into a clear, cool sunny day- perfect for walking. We were on the trail by 5:30am and had the place to ourselves for the first 45 minutes before the young fit ones started passing us. It was a 21 km walk with a couple of steep climbs. The scenery was stunning. Started of with rocky, volcanic, lunar like landscapes and at the end we were back walking in a forest beside a stream a walk of contrasts.

Below is a picture of Bill and I with Mt Ngauruhoe in the background, which also happens to be Mt Doom if you are a Lord of the Rings fan- I didn't know that as I haven't watched the movies but my kids have so they new!

This was a flat section at the top of the first steep climb. There had been lots of rain the day before and then with overnight minus temperatures there was lots of ice and slush puddles.

 This is Mt Ngauruhoe from a different side, thre was less snow this side than the view from the Chateau. Below is Bill in his orange jacket resting on a rock waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Very rocky and volcanic, a fascinating area.

Below is some of the rim ice that formed on the rocks and vegetation

 Up the top of the second climb and the view into the Red Crater. Where we were standing to take these photos was on the boundary of two tectonic plates one had been forced under the other so that formed all the volcanic features and is responsible for all the volcanic activity. Down near Christchurch two tectonic plates are side by side and rub  along side each other which is why that area is so unstable- loved the geography of the place!

 Above is a view of the Blue Lake and below are the Emerald Lakes. We had brunch at the Emerald Lakes and just watched as 100's of walkers descended .

Our guide Andrea from Walking Legends- carried hot water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and chocolate for us to enjoy- she was a great guide and had lots of information to share with us along the way.

By the end of the walk we were back in the forest, quite a contrast to the start of the day. We finished around 2pm, the bus and driver met us at the other end and had afternoon tea to celebrate in the sun before heading back to the Chateau where we enjoyed a lovely three course meal in the Chateau's dining room that night. It was my birthday so it was a lovely birthday dinner and it was a fantastic way to spend my birthday.

Day 1 The Old Coach Road

A storm came through overnight and dumped 100mm of rain on the mountains, so the order of walks was changed around. Here we are about to embark on our first walk- The Old Coach Road on the protected side of the mountain. We were lucky with the weather, it was overcast and we had a bit of drizzle but nothing really to prevent us from enjoying our walk. It was a 15km walk that took us along the old coach road that was used before the railway line went through. We walked through forests and along one of the old railway bridges.

 The bus picked us up at the other end and ws stopped off at the park with the big carrot and other big vegetables for some afternoon tea before heading back to the Chateau.

The others in our group had been doing the Bucket List Walk- which meant they already had been on two other walks over the last 8 days, so they were happy to return to the Chalet. Bill and I with our fresh legs decided to do the Scoria Rapids walk which was about 6km, and further up the mountain from where we were staying. Our guide Andrea dropped us off and we headed down the trail, she drove to the other end and walked up to meet us. It was a great walk, with great views, this time in that mountain zone where there is not much tall growing vegetation. As we descended the trees and shrubs got taller.

It was a great first day. We headed back to the Chateau and later that night headed out to National Park ( the name of the town) about 7km away for dinner with the group. They had this awesome looking kiwi made out of metal outside the pub.

Tongariro National Park

The next day we headed north, we had to be at the Tongariro Chateau by 4pm where we were staying for the next 3 nights and joining Walking Legends for the three day walking holiday we had signed up for. The weather was just perfect, nice clear skies and then we caught glimpses of the mountains. We have driven up this way before and not been able to see a thing as often the area is covered in cloud so I had to take some photos just in case the weather didn't last! We stopped in Hunterville, evidently the home of the New Zealand Huntaway dog- our dog Benji, who we lost suddenly last year was and Irish Wolf Hound crossed with a New Zealand Huntaway so we had to stop an pay tribute to our gorgeous dog!

 We came across this view of Mt Ruapehu, was lovely with the blue sky, green fields and the white snow. As we got closer we could see Mt Ngauruhoe, (below) so had to stop and get another photo, just incase the weather didn't hold. The views just kept coming for the next three days, it certainly is a stunning area.

 This is the view of Mt Ngauruhoe for the Chateau Tongariro where we were based for the three nights. A lovely place to stay, and the had a lovely lounge downstairs with big comfy chairs, a fire place, someone playing the piano and beautiful big picture windows,

Mount Ngauruhoe the following day after an overnight storm, that is why I made sure I took the opportunity to take photos when the view was good.

We were based here for three nights, the ideas was that we did a day hike each day, and then come back each night to the Chateau. We had dinner at a different location each night. We meet the 6 other people in our group and went for a short walk before heading out for dinner that night.

New Zealand November 2017

In November Bill and I flew to New Zealand for two weeks. It was great being able to fly directly from Canberra to Wellington- a three hour flight and we were there. We were spending the two weeks in the North Island, the main purpose to do a three day walking holiday in the Tongariro National Park. However the first two nights we spent on the beach at Paraparumu Beach and hours north of Wellington. We had a relaxing two nights at a B&B overlooking Kapati Island, was a lovely spot to stay. We had a small kitchenette which the hosts restocked each day so we could prepare our breakfast when we were ready.

  

View from our room

 Kapiti Island just of the coast which is a refuge for NZ birds

Nice long beaches to walk along in both directions

We did a number for short walks through wetlands, palm forests and some lovely views of the region we were staying at. Everything is lovely and green wherever you go.

Some of the Nikau Palms

We had Indian Takeaway down by the beach one night, check out the magnificent table and benches