All the signs of a wild west road
A short but brief post today with some pictures from the very wild west coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
These were all taken around Raglan and the countryside and coast that surround the extinct volcano, Mt Karioi.
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Waterworks: surely the best fun you can have with recycled objects?!
From January 2011…
After a fantastic journey around the Coromandel peninsula we decided to travel inland from Coromandel Town on the infamous 309 road; a winding gravel road which connects the east and west of the peninsula through spectacular scenery and offers lots of interesting sights.
Like 100 wild pigs by the road…
Stu’s Wild Pigs on the 309 Road
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A story of gold, cyanide and thoughtful preservation
Situated within a large bend of the Ohinemuri River, opposite Waikino village, are the remains of a revolutionary gold processing plant that was once New Zealand’s biggest and best.
The Victoria Battery site was built in 1897 by the Waihi Gold Mining Company to process ore from the large Martha Mine in nearby Waihi. Read More…
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Karangahake: Camping in an old gold-mining gorge
After our walk through the 1km old railway tunnel and back along the riverside (read Going for gold in the gorge) we travelled in the Kiwi Blog Bus through the gorge and over to our campsite for the evening.
We stayed at the Department of Conservation campsite at Dickeys Flat. Read More…
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Going for gold in the gorge
We have often visited Karangahake Gorge to enjoy its natural beauty and gold mining history, but on a recent trip away in the Kiwi Blog Bus we got to camp right in the middle of this wonderous area and discovered a lot more on our explorations.
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Marvellous nature at Mangapohue Natural Bridge
The Kiwi Blog Bus recently took us to a magical location where we were not only awed by the amazing feats of nature but well and truly gobsmacked by it.
I’ve already said the road from Waitomo out to the west coast is simply stunning, read magnificent meanderings to Marokopa, but the highlight of the scenic trip has got to be a stop at Mangapohue natural bridge.
A short stroll on a riverside boardwalk takes you along the Mangapohue Stream through a steep limestone gorge and into the remains of an ancient cave system.
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Magnificent meanderings to Marokopa
A 50km drive out west of Waitomo will lead you through an amazing limestone landscape to the historic west-coast fishing village of Marokopa.
We recently took the scenic route from Waitomo Caves (after we had stayed at Woodlyn Park), and I was blown away by the views along the way.
The road twisted and turned as New Zealand put on a good show of its rugged character and I could not stop taking pictures through a somewhat fly splattered windscreen. Read More…
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Alexandra Redoubt: One of the Waikato’s most historic places
Quite often I get asked what I miss about not living in the UK anymore, but I’m not a whingeing pom and don’t begin to rhyme off a list of groceries.
I’m a very happy honorary kiwi, however if pressed on the subject I would have to say I miss the history and the architecture of old buildings.
And I especially miss castles.
But… I have to reinforce that I totally love the old New Zealand buildings.
I love the colonial style of many towns and buildings here and really enjoy visiting and learning about historic places.
So although it isn’t a castle I was very happy to visit Alexandra Redoubt which is listed on the NZ Historic Places Trust and is one of the best preserved earthworks of the New Zealand Wars.
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What happens when you put two dogs in a bus?
As we travel around New Zealand in our trusty campervan, The Kiwi Blog Bus, we are always entertained by the antics of our fluffy friends, Jess and Pip the travelling dogs.
On occasions I think they are a pain in the rear end and I wonder why we choose to travel with them when often they could stay at home with the teenage son, but then… they look at you with those big eyes and all is forgiven.
Well almost all.. Read More…
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Kiwi Blog Bus
Campervan tales from New Zealand
The Kiwi Blog Bus - campervan tales from New Zealand 