Clifton Road Reserve

Travelling south towards Napier, we stopped for lunch at Whirinaki. Plenty of space to pull off the road makes this a very accessible beach, although much of it was quite stony.

About 20 minutes past Napier, (past Clive, between Haumoana and Te Awanga), is a beautiful little camping spot called Clifton Road Reserve.

Right beside the beach.

It’s a spacious place, with shrubs planted all around, and some people chose to park closer to them to avoid the wind.

Lots of space for more campervans in here!

We preferred the views, and while the main view we were blocking was our friends' view from their pink and white bus, they assured us they could see plenty around either side.

While we were there, a number of cars turned up to enjoy the views for a short time—to walk their dogs or eat their fish ‘n’ chips. There was even a disabled parking “space”!

This beach was VERY stony. Looking left . . .

. . . and right.

There were great facilities here. Good toilets as well as a place to leave your rubbish.

Also, an “Iron Maiden” to collect your camping fee/donation.

I guess you could stay for free as no one polices it, but I’d like to think most people show their appreciation for the availability of a wonderful spot, even those like us who are self-contained and do not use the toilets. The restrictions are that you can only stay here a couple of nights.

It was here we said farewell to our travelling companions, as Garth & Helen left us to head back home to Stratford (Taranaki). It was so good to have their company as we travelled around the East Cape, but some good things must come to an end . . . .

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Opoutama Beach

Camping at the Oputama Beach Reserve (on the Mahia Peninsula south of Gisborne) is free, and Lucy was welcome, too.

Another great summer experience—hot, sunny days and lovely beach walks.

There were some homes at a distance across the water, but none near where we were camping.

Another beautiful sandy beach.

And a pretty soft pink and blue sunset at night.

There were several other friendly campers here—we enjoyed their company at "happy hour" each day. All were dog lovers, so Lucy enjoyed her time here.

The only down side for me (some would think it a blessing) was that there is no cellphone coverage in this area. However, on the second day here, Dave went down the road to the Mahia Golf Club for a round of golf with a couple of our campervan neighbours, and Lucy and I travelled further towards Mahia in search of a cellphone signal. I eventually found a lovely café with a lady who let me plug my modem in by her coffee machine. I sat outside in the shade with Lucy and spent a few hours clearing emails, drinking coffee and working . . . until Dave and his fellow golfers turned up for a drink following their game.

Back to the beach and a lazy, relaxing afternoon!

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Tolaga Bay Wharf

Tolaga Bay is about 50kms north of Gisborne and boasts the longest wharf in New Zealand.

It’s a popular tourist spot with a good-sized car park . . .

. . . plenty of seating . . .

. . . and even a coffee cart.

The wharf was opened in 1929, and large coastal trading ships used it to load and offload goods.

 

It is 660 metres long and has a railway line running down the centre—similar to the Tokomaru Bay Wharf.

It’s a great beach for swimming—obviously popular with the locals . . .

. . . and look at all that driftwood!

Parts of the wharf have been replaced—you can see the original grey-coloured concrete contrasting with the white newer concrete railings.

In places it is deteriorating quite badly and in need of repair.

Looking back towards the car park.

The end of the wharf has no railings, so not safe for unsupervised children.

At the end, a place to rest and enjoy the views.

The cliffs to the side of the wharf were really beautiful, with interesting layers.

The water had eroded the rocks over time forming little caves not too far from the shore . . .

. . . and these rock shapes here.

We didn’t camp here—just stopped for lunch and to see the wharf—although there is a campground near the side of the car park. 

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