After three wonderful nights in Pauanui including our last night at the well-located POP, it was time to move on. Our first thoughts were to drive to Tairua and look at some of the freedom camping spots with a view to staying there. One of the issues with a nine-metre motorhome is the lack of available spots for something our size. However the NZMCA App showed a spot located next to the dump station. Locating the spot wasn’t an issue but we arrived to find all the signage removed and were unsure if you actually could stay here. In the end we decided we would park up for a while and explore and then make a decision when we returned to the van.
Sarah was keen to get the bikes out and see if we could ride up to the sumit of the hill that looks back over Pauanui. It turns out that you can’t ride all the way to the top but you can get a decent way. Leaving our bikes padlocked together we then followed the track up towards the trig. This climb was a lot easier that the one in Pauanui and other than the having to clamber over rocks for the last twenty metres a fairly easy walk. The view from the top was worth the climb but as you can probably see in the photo we could also see the rain coming. Thankfully nothing more than a light shower fell while we were at the top but it did look like it would get heavier.
The ride back down the hill was an absolute blast. At least for me, Sarah is a little more cautious coming downhill so I had a bit of a wait at the bottom. At that point the rain started to get heavier and we decided to head back to motorhome. We did however, make one stop-over on the way having a look at the beach out front of the local surf club. Since it was September it was a little cold to test the water but it certainly looked nice. It was at that point that the heavens really decided to open, so it was back to the motorhome. Once inside and towelled dry we made the decision to move on.
It’s not often that we chose to stay in a commercial campground but with the savings on offer at the Hahei Beach Resort we booked in. Rates vary by how close you are to the water and since we don’t mind a bit of a walk we chose to park the van towards the back of the campground. The map given to us to show where to stay only re-enforced how bad I am with directions, still we eventually found our spot. As we have experienced a few times, at other campgrounds, the spot was only just big enough but we managed to squeeze in.
How surprising 
, with the motorhome parked it was time to explore. We headed down the beach towards the Pa walk. The rain wasn’t quite done with us but we did manage to find shelter under the overhanging cliffs. While sheltering there we watched a few people scurrying down from the Pa site looking for cover from the rain. We did wonder for a short while if we should turn back and at least get our rain coats out of the camper, but in the end just continued on.
Once the sun started shining again we resumed the walk. Up a set of steps and then following the track out to the Pa. I know that DOC administer thousands of hectares of land and keeping gorse and other invasive plants under control is beyond the budget. However seeing these plants taking over the land on the side of walking tracks is a constant disappointment to me. I just wish there was a simple solution that could restore the land to how it should be.
Putting my concerns about the gorse aside we enjoyed the walk to the top of the Pa. Where to coin an overused expression the views were spectacular, but I don’t know how else to describe it. Looking out over the water we could see one of the local tourist boats taking people to Cathredal Cave the only access at the time. Numerous little islands dotting the coastline just adding to the overall beauty.
As we wandered back from the Pa site we chose to walk through the village rather than back along the beach. There was a huge diversity of places in the village with some very expensive places along with some that had obviously been there for many years. One thing that did surprise was the number of Sea Legs boats we saw. I guess not having to tow your boat down to the beach and just being able to drive it home again is a major attraction.
I visited Cathedral Cave with two of my sons back in 2017 but Sarah had never been there and was keen to have a look. We both knew the track was closed but thought there might be a nearby viewing point. With this in mind we wandered up the hill to the entrance to the track. Here two things became obvious the carpark at the top looks like it will never reopen, and the track was definately shut. With the carpark closed the only access to the cave track once it re-opens, will be either by walking uphill as we did. Or by leaving your vehicle in the massive carpark at the entrance to the village, where a bus will take you up and run you back down from the track. I have read that the track will reopen in December 2024 although ongoing work will still need to be done to finish it.
Back at the campground the staff were working really hard towards getting the campground ready once the track reopens and the massive increase in guests expected. Especially after the double blow of SH25A having been closed due to cyclone damage for most of 2023. We enjoyed our stay there being one of the few people on the beach really does give the feeling of getting away from it all. Even if you do need to wrap up a little warmer at the end of winter/start of spring. Another NZMCA camp saver special that was well worth it.
To view the places we have visited click here to see them on Google maps. You can then click the link to read the blog about that area.
