Venture to Pukekohe

Pukekohe, was I there....

Venture to Pukekohe, south of Auckland, a flourishing country town that most people only visit because they know someone who lives there.

Which is precisely why I go there. 
Though that's no reason for a tiki tourist to not take the time to visit. 

The drive down is easy as pie.  Head south along the motorway from Auckland, exit at the Drury turnoff, then turn right and stay on the main track.  Twenty to thirty minutes past this point (depending on driving speed), and after driving past Wesley College and through Paerata, you're there.  Or you can take the train or a bus, both will get you there easily, though that may make seeing the sites a bit difficult.

Yes I was!  And so were they :)

Pukekohe is not a tourist destination per se, but if you're looking for a rural day out surrounded by lovely farmland,, market gardens, hydroponics and country type folk close to the city, without going completely hick, then this is where you should come.

There are plenty of boutique shops with knick knaks, art, and clothes and the number of eateries and cafe's offering good food have quadrupled in the last few years.  My latest visit with the nieces required a food stop.  We chose the Pizza Box for a quick bite.

Pizza Box provided lots of room, with plenty of comfy seats and the pizza, iced coffee and fruit smoothies got the thumbs up.

When you get to Pukekohe what is there to do other than sampling the local cuisine, enjoying a good coffee and wondering the streets (or rather street) of town looking at the shops.  Franklin Country website has a number of good ideas, but here is what I have done in Pukekohe.

A drive to the top of Pukekohe Hill will give you some nice views of the surrounding area.
For a taste of local history have a look at the Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage.

If you go during summer, I believe the 50 meter swimming pool with high diving board is still open for business.
If you go on a winter weekend you will most definitely catch teams playing sport - mainly rugby or netball - at the local grounds.

Check out the racing calendar at the Franklin Trotting Club before you go and you'll likely find a horse racing meet to attend.  And if your horsepower preference is mechanical there is a calendar for that too at the Pukekohe Park Raceway.  If not there, then a little further south at Hamptdon Downs where you can pay and drive a race car yourself.

Golf is always on the cards.  In fact you pass the golf course about 7km's after the Drury turn off.

Planning your visit to Pukekohe around the Franklin A&P (aka Agricultural and Pastoral) show at the beginnig of the year will let you experience local farming and produce at it's best.

I suggest you time your drive home on a Friday or Saturday evening so that you can call in to Spookers and be totally freaked out, in a fun way of course.  If you are travelling with young ones that may not be such a good plan, though they provide over 8year old activities that run from 11am for the kids. 

Pukekohe is not really far enough from Auckland that you have to stay the night, however, should you choose to do so, B&B's and farm stays are available, as are a few hotels and motels if you'd rather. 

Unfortuatley  I can't provide a personal recommendation for any accomodation unless you plan on staying with my brother and his family - which is where I stay whenever I venture south to Pukekohe.

Kiwi International Hotel

Our last trip home to New Zealand for a holiday break saw us accommodated at the Kiwi International Hotel. 

We had not pre-booked any accomodation, so on our arrival to Auckland airport we found the information center, just past the arrival door, near McDonalds.  The ladies there showed us a number of available accomodation options, then phoned to book and even organised pick up.  Fantastic service.

The Kiwi, as we called it, is a short ride from the airport at 150 McKenzie Road
Mangere.  There are a number of other hotels and motels in it's near vicinity as well as a number of car rental companies.  You can't miss the hotel, it has a huge Kiwi on top of it.

The hotel was actually for sale and a little run down, but all we needed was a bed and place to wash and that is exactly what they could provide.  Breakfast was also available, for a fee, and though not spectacular it did what it's intended to do - it broke our fast.

Motel units are also available at the Kiwi International.

We eventually booked the rest of our holiday in one of the motel units.  Our grandchildren were visiting us at the hotel and the top floor windows were not safe for young children - something we pointed out to management and hope they take on board.

The motel units are all on the ground floor, are very tidy and more roomy than the hotel rooms - much more suitable for a longer stay.  They also open out onto a large and lush grass area so the grandkids can run around.

Cooking facilities and a little frig are in each motel unit along with the majority of necessary utensils, crockery and cutlery.  Anything we didn't have the staff were happy enough to get. 

Although there was a restauant on site, it was being run at a minimum, so the opening hours were very restricted.  To eat out a short drive to Mangere Bridge was in order.  Or an even shorter drive to the other Hotels down the road - the Holiday Inn and the Grand Chancellor welcome other diners if you give them a call.

Despite it's shortcomings, which were not huge on the grand plan of life, we enjoyed our stay here.  The staff were helpful, the rooms were clean, and the surrounds were quite pleasant.  Should the Kiwi International find new owners happy to spruce it up, it will be a lovely place to stay.

Marvellous Mangawhai

Mangawhai is a marvellous place for a wedding.

My aunty and her family live there and one weekend while home we headed over for a wedding - a great excuse for fun, laughter, meeting whanau and having a great time.

We took the long route to Mangawhai, which means we drove past Wellsford because we had car sick types who don't really like the winding bits on the short route through Tomorata.

Mangwhai is still a holiday beach place, though the big progress machine is changing that at a rapid pace, with more housing popping up at the northern end.  Being such a short drive from Auckland a number of people now commute for work. 

There is no huge mass produce mall - yet.  The Village has all the basics you need for a weekend escape plus a few local souveneir shops and cafe's.  And there is plenty of holiday accomodation, including camping sites.

If you want to visit surf take off to Mangawhai Heads.  If you prefer the safety of a calmer water then stick to the lagoon.

Our Aunty's house looks over the lagoon, which meant, the morning after the wedding we got to look at the stunning million dollar view from the patio with the sun shining, dew on the grass and a hot coffee in hand....Marvellous.   My brother, being more energetic than the rest of us, headed out to dip his toe in the water.

There are other beautiful beaches fairly close by to Mangawhai if by any chance you should get tired of relaxing on the beach at your doorstep.  You can also plan a stop off at Mangawhai as part of a driving north package if your travels are not restricted by the clock so have the time for a little detour.

It is possible to do a day trip from Auckland, but for chillaxin I recommend staying over in Marvellous Mangawhai.

Blenheim and A Few Wines

Blenheim Wine Tasting.  Was I there?....

One weekend we went to Blenheim and tried a few wines.
The planned roady from Auckland to the South Island was changed to a flight to Christchurch and driving from there to Blenheim for a wedding.

Sight-seeing Christchurch for a day was on the original plan, however the earthquake struck the city 3 days before our planned trip, so obviously we revised that idea. 

In fact, we had to check that our bride and groom were OK and still intending to hold the wedding as they live in Christchurch.  The day before our flight we managed to track them down and they confirmed they were OK and the wedding was going ahead.

The flight down is a breeze and very quick.  We hired a vehicle for the four hour drive from Chrischurch to Blenheim.  There are numerous rental companies to choose from.  Ours picked us up from the airport and delivered us to the car - which was five minutes away.  After a bit of paperwork and credit card swiping we were off. 

Our driver decided that the last thing Christchurch needed was a car load of nosey parkers looking at the damage caused by the quake, so he headed straight for the main drag to Blenheim, which was easy as pie. 

There is basically one road north, which is largely along the rugged, but beautiful, coastline. 

We spotted a few seals and, on the way home, bought crayfish at a road side stall.  Kaikoura was our lunch stop and then on to Blenheim.

The hills into Blenhiem have numerous vinyards.  It was late in the day but we managed to find one vineyard still open for tastings, and purchases, before we headed off to find our accomodation - a very roomy abode with everything a traveller staying a few days could want. 

The next day it was off to more wineries in the morning, with lunch, before heading home to dress for the upcoming nuptials. 

Montana Brancott Winery....Yes I Was!

The wedding was lovely, the weather was awesome and Blenheim, we decided on our drive back to Christchurch, is quite a nice place if taking your time about life is something you'd like to do.

A weekend isn't long enough to see the surrounding sights, so we plan to come back to Blenhiem for a few more wines and a bit more sight seeing.

Break Down

I had a break down the other day.

Not me personally, but my car.

Thankfully not the 'good' car either, but my other car.

I got as far as Kaiwaka - actually 1km south of Kaiwaka to be precise.  Then, on the little hill, my vehicle ran out of puff.  My eyes flicked immediately to the water gauge and it was topping out on the big H. 

Steam was definitely rising out from under the bonnet.  That could explain the wierd Pffff-ffff-ffff-ing sound I heard earlier.  It definitely explained what the red lights meant that had been showing up on the dash for a few kilometers previous.

This is what happens when you live in a country that does not allow you to drive - you forget what the little pictures mean.  You forget that the very first thing you must do when you see little pictures is pull over because break down is eminent.  Not carry on while you try to decipher little pictures.

The battery picture I got straight away - although I did wonder why it was on given the car was still going.  The little steaming hamburger one just didn't register - particularly as I looked at the water gauge when the warning light first came on and the gauge looked fine.

Personally I'd prefer the word "OVER HEATING" to the burger picture...along with loud alarm sounds.  Seriously, on contemplating what the burger picture might mean the thought that first came to mind was stopping at the next town for coffee and while there I'd see what the lights were on for. 

Bad move.  Didn't make it....

My car has blown a head gasket  which, given the age of the vehicle, isn't worth fixing.

And to think at the last town I passed through I was thinking how well the little beast was doin.

I had to text my mate, who no longer has a car to baby sit for me or get himself around, with 'Houston we have a problem.  Did you insure the car?'  Of course he did, but not against breakdown.  Bugger!

Shout out to the guys in the forestry machinery repair place near where I broke down for all their help and a ride to Warkworth where my sister could pick me up.  And for letting me leave the car out back of the shed till I could get it picked up.

Big shout out to Ross Richardson of Shamrock Auto's in Kaiwaka.  Very nice guy who I have only had phone conversations with but he got my car picked up, took it to the garage, had a quick look to see the damage, offered a couple of options (ie repair for minimum $1000 or scrap) and then also organised for my wonderful car to be scrapped.  (When I do get north I intend to drop in and say thanks personally).

Yep, it's great to know there are really nice people out there who would help a lady in distress.
Not that I was distressed.  I was more "buggar!.  buggar, buggar!  dumb arse".  Is that distressed?

I haven't managed to get up north yet.  But I will, safe in the knowledge that my good car (the Renault) is insured for breakdown.

Mangere Bridge Hide Away

Real estate agents have been known to describe Mangere Bridge as a South Auckland hideaway.  I'm more inclined to call it an Off to the Side-away.

The Bridge, as locals are known to call it, is on a little peninsula all by itself right on the edge of the Manukau Harbour, beneath Mangere Mountain and has a lovely villagy feel to it.

In days gone by it was necessary to travel through Mangere Bridge to get to the airport.  Now, the south western motorway takes all that traffic and the original bridge, after which the town is named, is a popular walkway, cycleway and fishing spot.  It connects Mangere Bridge with Onehunga.

The Bridge has a number of things going for it - being next to a harbour you get water views.  The harbour shore has been developed into a great walkway with awesome green spaces.  And you have Ambury Park, with caravan sites and a hands on animal park, at your doorstep.

On the down side you have the poo ponds round the corner - I'm afraid Aucklanders in the know just can't get over that little 'Ewwww' idea.  The word "Mangere" also holds negative connotations for a lot of folk who have lived in Auckland for a while. 

My suggestion is ignore the Ewwww'ers (there have been major advancements in poop management over the years) and others and go see the place for yourself.

Take a walk up Mangere Mountain and look at the view, visit Ambury Park, stroll along the waterfront and take a hand line to fish off the bridge.  Should your fishing be unsuccessful there are a couple of Fish 'n' Chip shops in town where we can buy what you couldn't catch.  And definitely visit the cafe's in the village shopping area. 

Mangere Bridge is not a place that's going to rock your socks but you can chillax which is one of the reasons why I love to hide away there.

Driving the Waterfront

Driving the waterfront out towards Mission Bay always lifts my spirits.  It's a lovely drive.  I like to do it slow and soak in the sights - which is largely lots of water off to my left insterspersed with joggers, bike riders and waterfront walkers.

These warm afternoons with daylight saving are perfect for a drive along the waterfront, a walk on the beach and a glass of wine at a cafe or, better yet, chips on the beach.

It's been a few years since I undertook a waterfront drive right to the end of the road up to Ladies Bay.  I wondered how the old nudist beach was doing.

The beach is still there, though not as nice as I remember it.  There's a concrete path down to it now and, to really put a damper on naked sunbathing, there's a veiwing bay above the beach.   It's part of a beautifully designed rest spot with great views out toward Waiheke -  and down to Ladies Bay.

The viewing bay at Archilles Point.

A glass of wine was required (with a bit of a snack) to contemplate the cost of progress, so I stopped at the local shops in St Heliers, Annabelles to be precise, and enjoyed a quiet moment on a lovely afternoon.

The conclusion - I still love driving the waterfront and intend to come back soon.

Devonport Tiki Tour

I did a tiki tour to Devonport the other day.

My original plan of heading in to Auckland central changed due to bad weather and a king tide blocking the harbour bridge.  Being stuck in traffic is not my idea of a great way to spend my time, so a Plan B was sought and implemented.

Devonport is where I like to go for a red wine while looking out to sea.  It's also where one can catch the ferry when the bridge ain't working.  It used to have the best fish and chip shop in Auckland...I have to find another one now.

Devonport Wharf

The town clock

View of naval ships 

The local

The day may have been a little grey and windy but I enjoyed my wonder around.  My Plan B tiki tour reminded how nice Devonport is and how long I've been away.

Travelling New Zealand in a Renault

I'm travelling around New Zealand in a Renault, Megane or something like that. 

I only know this info because the other day I had to pay the car registration.

My son informed me the rego needed paying soon.  Don't ya love when your kids say "Soon" about anything that needs  paying.  I checked the label and discovered I had two days till the rego ran  out. 

I also discovered how difficult it is to pay your car registration at a Post Shop without cash or eftpos.
What d'ya mean I can't pay with credit card over the counter? 
What happened to living on credit?
Who actually uses cash these days? 

I had to go find an internet and pay online. 

Now I am waiting for the rego label to be sent to the house.  I better tell them not to throw the mail out when it comes....cos I don't actually live at the house.

Till then I'm travelling New Zealand in a registered yet labelless Renault.

Across the Harbour Bridge to Beach Haven




Take a tiki tour one day, across Auckland's Harbour Bridge (a landmark in the City of Sails) to Beach Haven on the North Shore.

Beach Haven is not a destination for the masses.  Most travellers traversing the bridge northwards completely bypass the turnoff that takes you, via Onewa Road, to Birkenhead and on to Beach Haven, fondly referred to by our family as 'The Haven'.

You can drive straight up Onewa Road to Birkenhead or if you fancy a tiki tour on your way to the The Haven there are a number of little bays you can visit that offer views of the Harbour Bridge and Auckland City from slightly different angles and they aren't far off the main drag. 

To tiki tour, turn left into Queen St off Onewa Road and take a leisurely drive toward Northcote Point.  If you're thirsty stop off at the Northcote Pub.  At the end of the road is what used to be the Fishermens Wharf restaurant.  You get some awesome photo's of the bridge off the wharf.  If you fancy seeing what the underside of the  Harbour Bridge is like, there's a short footpath to take you there. 

Harbour Bridge from Northcote Point

Heading back along Queen St you'll find Rodney Road on your left.  Follow it down the Council Terrace hill to Little Shoal Bay.  Plenty of room here for the kids to run around and there's a playground to keep them entertained as well.  You can swim if you're in the mood, or just dip your toes in the water with the bridge in the background.

Little Shoal Bay on the Beach Haven Tiki Tour

Once you've taken all happy snaps you want, jump back in the car and head up the hill on the other side of the bay, or if you fancy a bit of exercise you can walk up the hill.  I only mention this because I drove passed a lady doing it....I kept driving. 

If you turn left at the top and follow Hinemoa St to the end, you'll come to the Birkenhead Wharf.  There's a nice park and if you've timed it right you can watch one of Fullers Ferry's docking.  The Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club is housed here, so you migght spot a few learner sailors and the odd veteran heading out into the waters. 


Birkenhead Wharf Park

Drive back up Hinemoa St and you'll pass through Highbury with its little collection of boutique type shops.  I spied a coffee shop and it has been filed in the 'coffee shops to try' part of my brain.

A little further on you'll come to Birkenhead, the main shopping center for the area.  There are plenty of places here to eat and have coffee.  My nieces and I tried the Word of Mouth coffee shop.  They gave the iced chocolate a thumbs up.



Nice stop for a quick bite

If you want to get a closer look at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery (why?... I dunno!) you can find this down Colonial Drive at the other end of Mokoia Road.  There's lovely park-like lawns so you can get a picture of you and your car with the pink factory backdrop, if you're that way inclined. 

Getting back on the track to Beach Haven from Birkenhead shopping center is easy - go left at the lights.  When you reach the round about at Verrans Corner, stay left.  This takes you onto Rangatira Road which historically separated the 'good' side of The Haven from the 'bad'. 

Here's a bit history...Beach Haven is a seaside suburb and the side nearest the sea was for the more well off.  Houses on the other side of the road were largely state homes and a few of the occupants were fairly well known to the local constabulary.  I have no idea if the criminal element is still holed up on 'that' side of the road these days, I've been away for thirteen years, but I do know the coastal homes are still pricey.

The drive takes you past Island Bay Road which offers a swimming and picnic spot tucked away at the bottom with a wharf hidden behind a little hill where you'll often find people fishing.  The place is quite popular with local boaties as a launching point and is great for safe swimming. 

Continue along Rangatira Road and you will eventually wind up at the Beach Haven shops and a T-intersection with a roundabout.  Turning left will lead you to Beach Haven wharf.  We used to buy fish 'n chips at the local takeway and head down to the wharf to eat while the kids ran around at the beach. 

A local man, Frank Larkin, spent years building this beach.  I'm glad to report that it's still a nice spot.  In fact the council has done a bit of work there developing Hilders Park.  There are sufficient picnic tables and viewing points to look out over the water towards Whenuapai and the wharf still has that aged rickety feel, just like old wharves should - though it's perfectly safe and kids were still jumping off the end.

Beach Haven Wharf

There is no playground for young ones at Beach Haven wharf, so if you're after that it might be best to head to Shepherds Park, which is right turn at the round about and keep an eye out for the sign.  There's walking tracks and plenty of room to kick a ball, as well as a playground - but no beach.  I stopped in for a quick look.  If I'd had the kids I would've stayed for a muck around, but lone mature woman on the swings is kind've sad, so I left.


Entrance to Shepherds Park, Beach Haven

The journey to Beach Haven was not without purpose.  My father lives at a residential care facility there, and my sister and her family live nearby.  Plus, visiting Beach Haven is a trip down memory lane - it's where we brought our kids up - not on the coastal side of Rangatira Road either.

If you choose to take a detour off the motorway after coming across the Harbour Bridge and head to Beach Haven, you may not be wandering down memory lane, but you will find lots of quiet beach, picnic, fishing and boat spots with the most wonderful views that the locals have at their door step and that most other people never see.

Across the Harbour Bridge to Beach Haven....Was I there?  Yes I was :)

Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island

Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island...Was I there?  Yes I was!

I arrived home the other day and made my way from Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island.

My son and his partner met me.  They brought the grand-children.  I got hugs - Yay.
Outside the airport is a bus that transports new arrivals to the Ferry building at the bottom of Queen Street.  We piled on, paid my $16, stowed the bag, arranged the kiddies and settled in for the ride.

We made a new friend on the bus ride.  A young lady from Indonesia, currently living and working in Melbourne, was on her first trip to New Zealand.  She'd signed up for an adventure tour around the North Island and wasn't sure what she was in for.  We got to chatting, and gave her our two cents worth on her upcoming trip.  We think she'll enjoy it.  She has my e-mail and sent me this:

Hi Gaelene,

Sorry, not water rafting yet :) Just want to say hi for now as I have
access to 15 mins of internet in the motel.
Thanks for the chats. Enjoy your 2 month stay in Auckland.

Cheers,
J

I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of her trip.

A one way ferry ticket to Waiheke Island cost just under $20.  The ride over was a bit of fun for the seasick prone - the weather was creating big waves and ooooohhhhh's  were to be heard.  For the seaworthy, it was a piece of cake.  (Note: I was going OOOOhhhhh).

Once docked on Waiheke we packed into the car waiting for us at the car park and drove the short distance to the house.  

A cuppa and a chat was in order.  It's been a few months since I saw the grand-kiddies and they have grown heaps.  It was early to bed that night and I slept like a log till 11am.

Once I surfaced and had a spot of breakfast (with moko cuddles) it was time to see what Waiheke had to offer while running some errands. 

The main street on Waiheke is kind of ..ummmm ....villagy.  There are little boutique shops on the hill and hidden in nooks and cranny's.  The road is on a gentle slope and is narrow enough to get built up by the traffic making it's way through, but not long enough for anyone to get heated by the hold up.  In fact, the whole island still retains it's bachy, alternative lifestyle, relaxed feel.  I've never spent much time on Waiheke before and I have to say, I liked it.

We went to Little Oneroa Beach so the kids could enjoy the playground and I could take photos of the sea view framed by pohutukawa trees. 

Across the road is a shop that sells home made food.  We had the loveliest homemade banana cake.  It's been a while since I've had such a nice cake bought from a shop.  It was just like the ones mum makes.

Lunch time arrived, so Willow took us to Onetangi and The Beach Front Cafe.  The ride allowed me to see a bit more of Waiheke.  Lots of little bays, lots of bush and baches tucked away off the road winding through the island.   We passed horse-riders, boat yards, and vineyards.

We sat on the cafe deck looking out over the water and munched muffins with coffee.  The moko had a Fluffy. After that run around in the surf was a perfect way to tire the kids out before heading home.

Our tiki tour had taken us on a loop around the island - not the whole island, but enough to let me see that Waiheke offers everything a family may possibly want but without the city traffic and stress.

The next morning I was on the 9am car ferry over to Half Moon Bay and on to the North Shore. The trip back to the mainland took half an egg sandwich and a Bundaberg Ginger Beer - and no heaving waves. 

Should you decided to visit Waiheke, Fullers runs the passenger ferry and Sealink runs the car ferry.  Two different websites to visit for timetables.  I'd recommend you also organise a car in advance and, if possible, have it waiting at the wharf.  It's a little out of the way.

One ferry after another.

If you're looking for a get away from it all place after landing at Auckland Airport, Waiheke Island is definitely worth a look.