Lake Taupo
Camped overnight in Great Lake Holiday Park which was a pleasant experience. Dinner at The Bay Bar & Brasserie was excellent.
As always, I'd recommend the Sugar Plum Cafe on SH1 - stopped here many times over the years for the excellent food and coffee.
Set off the next day to see the carvings at Mine Bay, Lake Taupo. Beautifully carved by Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the 1970's, they are only accessible by boat...a trip for the kayaks then! 11km from Acacia Bay South.
Kayaking out was like paddling through silk with beautiful clear water and great views of the lake bottom. Enjoyed a snack on a private beach before heading back. The way back was a shocker! 1 - 1.5m broadside swells courtesy off a suddenly easterly that whipped out. Near...death...experience. With tired arms.
Whakapapa
Went down to camp in Whakapapa Holiday Park for two days of outdoorsy fun. The campground was nicely set up although geared towards campervans rather than tents. The Discovery Lodge looks nice too.
We did a number of the short walks around Whakapapa - The Ridge Track (30mins), the Taranaki Falls track (2 hours), the Silica Rapids loop (2 1/2 hrs) and the Tawhai Track (20 minutes).
The Ridge Track
Lovely views of the mountains and the Chateau
Taranaki Falls Track (7km loop)
A very pleasant walk through tussock and forest to the waterfall - the water must be falling from 30metres.
Wairere Stream
Taranaki Falls
Silica Rapids Track (7km loop)
This was the real surprise - multi-coloured rocks secondary to mineral deposits that are more typically seen in Rotorua.
Waikare Stream
Silica Rapids
Tawhai Falls
We're hoping to do the Tama Lakes and Tongariro Alpine Crossing at some stage.
And FFS, how long does it take to upload to Blogger?
The Rose
