[LesleyS]

Finally got to see a little more of the New Zealand we came for! Set off from Tauranga on Saturday morning for a VERY scenic if not a little hairy drive down to Hawkes Bay, going down Highway 5 from Taupo to Napier. Driving through the 'Kaweka Range' was spectacular - but soooo hilly!
The approach into the bay was also brilliant - row upon row of luscious grape vines!
Napier - WOW we loved it! Clean, quiet, good shops and easy to get around - great promenade to walk along with the flowers out in full bloom around the fountain. Stayed the night, and had a lovely dinner at 'The Wharf' overlooking the boats.

Sunday - Had a really good tour around 'Church Road Winery' - with tasting, and booked dinner at 'The Mission' Winery, the oldest winery in NZ I believe!
This was absolutely gorgeous - the restaurant is located in the most beautifully restored villa, food and service wonderful.

Monday - Another scenic drive up Highway 2 to Gisbourne and Poverty Bay to see 'Young Nick's Head' from the opposite cliffs overlooking the sweeping headland - and down again for a photo call with 'Captain James Cook'.

Drove home through the Raukumara Range - not for the faint hearted! Then wearily motored back to the BOP.

Covered 700kms - phew and maxed out on some 'awesome' scenery!

Thanks New Zealand!

[DMcG]

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Napier is a great little place with some beautiful art-deco buildings and there are some fantastic vineyards around there.
But you missed out the best road - the one that cuts strait through the Uruweras and round Lake Waikaremoana - 60kms of unsealed, narrow, winding gravel where you get to dodge possums and wild horses :D

Maybe next time... :exit

Dougie

[holland]

ooohhh Lesley....we missed you!! We live in Napier....sounds like you had fun! We love living here...the flowers around the fountain area are stunning aren't they??

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

J x

[Jules]

But you missed out the best road - the one that cuts strait through the Uruweras and round Lake Waikaremoana - 60kms of unsealed, narrow, winding gravel where you get to dodge possums and wild horses :D

Maybe next time... :exit

Dougie

We did this road on Sunday. We didn't see much as everywhere was in cloud and it was raining :( but the views that we did see were beautiful. Well worth the drive :yes

Jules