Life In The Slow Lane

Sometimes there's more to this wonderful four wheel driving life than hitting the hardest tracks you can find in the (sometimes vain) hope of getting through the impassable. After a childhood of growing up camping, hunting and the great outdoors I suppose it was inevitable that a four wheel drive would feature as another way of getting out and seeing as much of the natural magnificence that we call NZ as possible.

Late September saw Karen and I running away from life for a few days and heading to the central plateau. Sightseeing, Army Museum and peace and quiet high on the list. We decided early on to visit Waiouru (my home for five years) and then return north checking out Tukino before settling in a night of (relative) luxury at Tokaanu. The real adventure would start the next day with trekking south, camping trailer in tow, in search of the perfect winter campsite. We found it early and there we stayed, nestled in the lee of the mighty Kaimanawa Ranges.


Too much food, almost enough wine by the fire, dead to the world sleep, late rises and absolutely nothing to do but enjoy the solitude (in great company of course) and recharge.

Was it perfect? I think so. The photos say it all.




Cloud shrouding Ngaruhoe as seen from the Tukino Ski field road. The view from the mountain was spectacular despite the atrocious weather in Waiouru and north to the Three Sisters.


The mighty Waikato Falls at the outlet of the underground water race that has it's beginnings at the southern end of the Moawhangao Dam in the Army training area. We turned off SH1 towards the Pillars Of Hercules and just followed our nose. This is the jumping in point for many kayakers and rafters.




I think Robert Frost would be happy to call this 'the road less travelled'. The whole area is criss-crossed with roads and tracks originally put in to build and then service the hydro schemes constructed by immigrant Italian workers last century. Pity you can't hear the bird and animal life in the background.


Ruapehu from the bush up behind Waikato Falls. Despite the isolation there is a Vodafone tower nearby. Blimmin cell phones! Turn 'em off.

Tongariro River long before it hits the Waikato. Plenty of flood damage along the bed and banks showed that a campsite up away from the river might be the best option. . . .

. . . . and that's what we found. Five star accommodation in Paradise!

And people pay money for this? In the lee of the Kaimanawa Ranges. Stopped the weather nicely. . . .


. . . . but it couldn't stop the frost. -4 degrees in the tent on the last morning. That first cup of coffee was about as close to heaven as we could get I reckon, . . Oh and the french toast, bacon, bananas and maple syrup for breakfast of course, all served up with a helping of sunshine.

The worst part of any trip? Heading home of course! But with more adventures to be had, and more of this awesome country to explore, it just whets the appetite.

WooHoo!