WITH TENT AND MOTOR

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 13

WITH TENT AND MOTOR

FROM OAKfIRH TO CUHE9IH A GALAXV OF BEACHES [By TlUl*.] All rights reserved.) Last week we dealt with the run through from Christchurch to Oarnaru, which, so far as the main road is concerned, is one of the less interesting of our principal motor routes. This cannot bo said of the journey from Oamaru to Dunedin, especially if th© coastal route ho followed, for the road for a considerable distance runs roun.d b ybeautiful beaches, and the keen swimmer will find constant variety. The motor camping ground in Oamaru is within a few minutes of tl«i centre of the town, in a corner of the public gardens, and in addition to being very convenient is most attractively situated. Water and gas arc laid on, and the caretaker lives within a hundred yards of the camping site, and collects the small charge which is made for the use of the camp. For its size Oamaru is ono of the most solidly-built towns in New Zealand, and the use made of tbo white Oamaru Stone makes its buildings very beautiful. Its wide, - well-planted streets, its beautiful gardens, and its sunny outlook make it an ideal place in which to spend a few days. Oamaru has long been an educational centre, and ono of the biggest schools in New Zealand—Waitaki—is situated only a couple of miles out of the town. Those who are interested in educational matters will find a visit to this school of more than ordinary interest because of its special appointments such as open-air sleeping shelters, while the school buildings, in the handsome Oamaru stone, arc very imposing in their garden sotting. THE WAIKOUAITI BEACH. Scon after passing through Hampden on the way to Dunedin from Oamaru, the road runs on to the Kartigi Beach, at one or two points along which water is available. This is a most delightful spot, and the motorist-camper who decides to stay here will not mo hampered by dense crowds, for as often as not he will have the many miles of sparkling white sand to himself. Not far from this beach there is a coal mine, and doubtless, permission could bo secured to sec tins, and oven perhaps to have the thrill of going underground. From Kartigi the road strikes" inland for some distance, passing through Palmerston and reaching the coast again near Waikouaiti. Hero, too, there is a most attractive beach, but this is very largely used by weekenders from Dunedin, and is not nearly as secluded as Kartigi. Boating, swimming, and fishing are all obtainable in the vicinity of Waikouaiti, and some fine tramps can be made round the surrounding countryside. The main road from Waikouaiti southwards goes over the Kijmog Hill, a fairly steep ascent, going inland until close to Evansdalc, some fifteen miles from Dunedin, but a much more interesting journey can be made round the coast through Seacliff, Omimi, and Warrington, although the road here is not quite as good. SPLENDID SEA VISTAS. If the oastal route be chosen, some delightful glimpses of coast line will bo afforded the motorist, one of the best being seen soon after leaving Waikouaiti. At Seacliff there is a very large mental hospital, set in very beautiful grounds, and a few miles beyond the motorist comes to Warrington, a favourite seaside resort of Dunedin people, a little spoilt of recent years by its too great popularity. A safe beach stretches for miles towards Waitati, and excellent camping spots can ho found in glens some little distance from tho beach itself. At Evansdale, a few, miles beyond Warrington, there is a very beautiful stream and plenty of good fishing and shooting, and a few' enjoyable days could be spent here. The road from Evansdalc onwards passes through Waita'U, and then winds over the hills to Dunedin. From Waitati to Dunedin it has been bitnmenised, and this stretch is about the best pice of road in tho whole of the South Island. Some excellent glimpses of Port Chalmers and Otago Harbour arte secured from tho hilltop, and before reaching Mount Cargill tho motorist should pull up and enjoy the very fine outlook across the harbour to the picturesque peninsula, ■ dotted here and there with its seaside resorts. Once Mount Cargill is reached a panorama of Dunedin itself spread l ; out before the traveller, and once the descent is completed the motorist is in Normanby, tho northernmost suburb. A motor camping ground is located at Talmna Park, in South Dunedin, and numerous other camping places are available within a few miles of the city itself. A SOLID CITY. Although tho smallest, of the four centres, Dunedin is an exceptionally solid town, and suffered less during tho post-war slump years than any other centre, mainly because there had never been tho tremendous land boom that occurred in tho North. The whole place has an air of definite solidity, and its fine public buildings and its many parks .alike indicate the prosperity of the city. It has always been the*loading, educational centre of the dominion, and tho Otago University Im, turned out men who have made then mark in every country in the world. -■ Tho University, the Medical School, tho Dental School, Technical College, Knox College, and Otago Boys’ High School are buildings of which any city may be proud, and no visitor should leave Dunedin without seeing all of them. Dunedin is a very much maligned town in the matter of climate. The view of the average North Islander is that Dunedin has a dour Scottish climate, and is a city of mist and rain. Tho truth of the matter is that it seldom has the extremely hot weather of the North Island, but in summer has a sunny, mild climate which comes as a welcome relief from the northern heat. It has infinitely less rain than many North Island centres, and the motorist-camper who arrives there during the late summer months will bo very unlucky is he does not have a spell of very fine weather.

MUCH BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.

.Around Dunedin there are literally hundreds of trips which can be made, where delightful scenery will Ix 3 met with, and whether the taste runs to beaches, bush scenery, or panoramas of the countryside, it can be satisfied in the motor .journeys around Dunedin. A drive should certainly bo made down the Peninsula, and from the top road u splendid view of Dunedin, Port Chalmers, and the whole of the harbour will ho soon. The reservoir, the botanical gardens, the Leith valley, Mount Cargill, and Mount Flagstaff are all places which will interest, aml'tho back road to Waitati through the Leith valley, especially when the clematis is in flower, is a delightful spot iu which camp can very profitably be pitched. Quo very quaint spot is worth the attention of those who are keen on seascapes, this being Cargill’s Caves, some miles beyond St. Clair beach. Access to the caves is secured through a. long tunnel cut through the sandstone, and the coastline which is viewed from above the caves is one of the most rugged and most interesting to bo seen in the whole of Now Zealand. The picturesqueness of the city is enhanced very much by the town belt, a strip of bush-clad land which runs round tho centre of one of the hills above tho town for about half its length, and which provides an excellent recreation place for children. There are three very fine beaches within handy distance of the town, these being, St, Clair, St. Hilda, and Tomahawk, the last-named now being very much more accessible than in former years. In addition, every form of sport is catered for, and there are several line golf courses, tennis clubs, etc,, all of which we Iconic players from other centres. . One of the best runs from Dunedin is out to the Waipori Falls, the source of Dunedin’s electricity. This road runs through some very beautiful bush, and the trip is one that soukl certainly be made before leaving the southern centre. With good weather, a holiday itt Dunedin, no matter how long, can be filled with variety. It is a splendid town, and every North Island motorist who visits the South Island should include a stay at Dunedin in his programme, for as a city it offers much that the North Island centres lack. [Lest our modesty should be brought into question, it may bo explained that “Trip,” who is writing this series of articles for New Zealand papers, is a North Islander.—Ed E.S.] I