TOURING WITHOUT HASTE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 202, 15 November 1927, Page 7

TOURING WITHOUT HASTE

! IMPRESSIONS OF CAMPING SPOTS Two returned soldiers who are touring New Zealand in a large car called at THE SUN Office yesterday, full of first-hand information about camping spots. They are Mr. C. Withington and Mr. F. J. Mackay, both of WellI ington, who were wounded in the war, and are still suffering from their wouinds and sickness. Fresh air and the open road they find the best cure, and together they are pottering round the country—not putting up any speed records, but seeing the back roads and quiet places of this land as they should be seen. Incidentally, they have camped at all sorts of places on their tour, for they never go to hotels. Their impressions and frank comment on camping spots make interesting reading and they have been good enough to let THE SUN copy some extracts from their notebook. The notes given below cover the route from Wellington to Auckland, via Taranaki, Waitomo and Taupo, with, after Auckland, references to places nearer Wellington. Waikanae.—Fair camping up-stream from railway and traffic bridge. Wood in plenty on other side of creek. Beware of mosquitoes. No charge. Levin.—Lake Horowhenua, one and a-—-half miles from Levin. Plenty of wood;

water all right when boiled; no charge. Palmerston North. —Very good official camp site. Conveniences, water, fire--places. Right out of the noise of city in Esplanade Gardens. Feilding. —Very good camp site among a grove of poplars; fireplace, wood and water; fishing; follow South Street across railway line; no charge. Wanganui. —Official camp site at Aramoho, very good; wood scarce; tents can be hired 3s a night; ground fee Is a car. Eltham. —Taumata Park, one of the best; water and gas laid on; well sheltered; caretaker in charge; fee Is. Stratford. —Page Street Reserve; electric light, water conveniences; sheltered by bush and pine trees. New Plymouth. —Well sheltered camp site on Belt Road; electric light, water, etc.; 5s a week; wood scarce. Opunake Beach. —lnquire pavilion; bathing, fishing; 2s a day; sheltered. Round the coast one may camp anywhere on beach or on streams. Cape Egmont lighthouse and Oakura are two good places; fishing and bathing; wood, water. Waitara. —Beach Society’s camping ground; fishing, swimming, conveniences; no charge; quite good. Onaero Bridge. —On way to Mount Messenger; 15 miles from New PlymouthTaranaki Automobile Association has sign; did not stop. Tongaporutu. —Mokau or Awakino; camp on beach; wood, water, mosquitoes. Mahoenui. —Good place to pull in is at bottom of Taumatamaire Hill, about 16 miles from Awakino. Waitomo Caves. —Camp site under cherry trees below hostel; fireplaces; no conveniences; no charge; wood scarce. Cambridge. —Camp in reserve opposite Town Hall; water; conveniences; no charge; very good. Tirau. —Camp in pound, 400yds past railway and just across bridge; no conveniences; no charge. An alternative spot and a better one is two and a-half miles along Rotorua Road at Waihou River Bridge; very pretty; fishing to be had at both places. Taupo. —lnquire at stores; Town Board controls; for a real good quiet spot inquire way to Acacia Bay; rough road, but well worth it; best of fishing: very safe bathing; very good for quiet week; well away from holiday crush; take provisions. Spa Hotel. —Understand that permission to camp can be obtained at Spa Hotel; hot baths. Rotorua. —Very good official camping off Whaka Road; electric light, water, conveniences; 2s 6d a car. Hamilton. —Private grounds across river past Soldiers’ Memorial Park; wood, water, conveniences; 2s 6d a car a night. Auckland.— Tui Glen, 10 miles out on Henderson Road; concrete; tennis and all manner of amusements; putting green, etc; free; every convenience; wood all ready to light fires; electric light, bungalows and tents on hire; very reasonable indeed; charge of 4s a car is not out of way; milk, etc., can be purchased on ground; small charge for boating; beautiful place and should not be missed; concession to Automobile Association members. Eketahuna. —Good camping one mile out on Goi'ge Road; sheltered cookhouse; conveniences; bathing, fishing; very pretty; free. Carterton. —Motorists may camp at concrete bridge betwen Carterton and Grey town. Lake Wairarapa. —One can camp almost anvwhere on either side of lake. Upper Hutt. —Good camping places anywhere along Hutt River. Wellington. —No official camp sites, but would - suggest that motorists inquire at Eastbourne; camping can be had at Tia Tia Bay; but too far out. Red Rocks, Island Bay and Happy Valley have plenty camping sites; water and wood at latter places. From long experience they have evolved a patent fireplace and cooker that they pass on to amateur caravanners. This is a kerosene tin, from which o#e end and three-quarters of one side has been cut out, and large holes punched in the other end and a few in the other side. The fire is lighted with the open end to the wind, and when going the position is reversed. This fireplace, it is claimed, will burn green manuka, ti-tree. or any other wood. Big pieces of wood are best. Their last piece of advice to campers is—“ Always carry a tin of mosquito killer.” At present the travellers are headed for the Winterless North, after which the delights of the South Island will ! be tried.