Well despite the gloomy weather forecast we decided that we would risk a road trip to Northland, although we decided against the campervan as we thought that we didn’t fancy being stuck in a campervan in the pouring rain. So we have rented a delightful Nissan Sunny (little honey!) and set off North, our first stop being Taupo on the shore of Lake Taupo (of course).
Our journey today took us along Highway 1 which is the main arterial road down from Auckland to Wellington which carrys on down onto the South Island once you get off the ferry at Picton. Part of the trip today was along what they call the ‘Desert Highway’, and they aren’t wrong with the description desert either! At one point we could see what we thought was a rain storm coming but as we got closer it turned into a sand storm with sand blowing down the valleys and across the road. This is all part of the national park that surrounds Mount Ruapehu an extinct volcano. The peak of it is still covered in snow, in fact all along the desert highway snow is still piled alongside the road.
The drive alongside Lake Taupo reminded us somewhat of Loch Lomond our home for 24 odd years in Scotland, in fact there are so many areas of New Zealand that have reminded us of our former home.
Our first stop at Taupo was the Huka Falls. When we first got to the falls there was a small steady stream flowing over the rocks into the river below. Above the falls is a dam where the water collects and every 2 hours the dam is opened and the water cascades down the gully – pretty impressive I can tell you! Taupo is in one of the most volcanic areas of New Zealand and while the water cascades over the rocks there is a very strong smell of sulphur.The pictures are the before and after.
Our final trip was to ‘The Craters of the Moon’. This is an area where there is a thin crust of rock over thermal pools where the temperature of the water today was 98*. Amongst the vegetation and bush steam rises from vents in the ground and mud boils in craters all around you. Wouldn’t want to be there in an earthquake – but its pretty impressive despite the sulphurous vapours!
Ok – we’re off to catch the weather forecast - rain on the way!
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