Auckland to Whitianga to Waitomo

After having a night on beautiful Waiheke Island, catching the ferry back to the mainland, then a shuttle bus back to the international airport departures and hoofing it up to arrivals, I was able to pick up the small 4WD vehicle I'd booked. They said they'd upgraded me free of charge and this vehicle had a GPS in it, for which I was eternally grateful only a short time later!

There was bit of a problem with my booking because I'd planned to take the vehicle on the Interislander Ferry from Wellington to Picton in the South Island. Despite me looking for information on this prior to booking, I couldn't find that info anywhere. I later realised it was in the fine print on my ferry booking rather than the hire car company.

They'd completely changed all the drop off/pick up dates of my booking which took some sorting out and negotiation, however, eventually I was able to set off to the car park to find this vehicle they'd upgraded me to. 

I wandered around until I found the car space, thought nope, that can't be right, walked a bit further and realised I needed to go back to where I was and what do you know, they've upgraded me to a flippin’ great big new-ish (10000 kms on the clock) Landcruiser Prado!! And it was one of those press button start jobs that you almost need a degree to drive.  

It took me an embarrassingly long while to figure out the GPS and even then I didn’t have it quite right as it stubbornly refused to talk to me and give me the directions I was seeking.

I figured I’d bravely set off anyway as the girl at the car hire agency had told me which highway I needed to be on. After a near miss and a couple of laps of the car park, I was on finally my way. I got down to the intersection and had a choice to make.  Fairly quickly too it seemed. Left or right. Shoot! Hmm I’ll choose left as I'm pretty sure I need to head north. 

Alas, it was the wrong direction! And it wasn’t until I got to another left or right type of intersection after some 15 minutes of driving, that I figured out the GPS while sitting at lights. A few turns and I realised I’d been going in the opposite direction to where I should have been going!

When I was about half way to Whitianga, I thought I should put in the full address and then discovered it didn’t recognise the road name so I figured it could be an interesting afternoon. I knew the place wasn’t quite in Whitianga and Hot Water Beach was part of the address (or something of the sort) but wasn’t sure if you turned off in that direction. I decided to keep going and would ask someone if I got completely lost. I figured if I got to Whitianga, someone would surely know.

Somewhere along the way, I noticed a look out type of place with some gorgeous coastal views. I pulled in and was at the back of the car getting my camera out when I heard a semi-trailer coming around the bend. It seemed to be slowing down a little, but I didn’t take too much notice until it sounded really close and I realised just as the horn went that it was pulling in next to me.  

The beeping of the horn just about made me jump out of my skin but I was more amused to see a young blonde girl at the wheel.  She looked about 25 if that and was driving a b-double! She had a great big grin on her face so was clearly also amused at the fact I'd jumped when she'd blown the horn.

Back on the road again, I’d passed the sign for Hot Water Beach and was just at the point where I was wondering if I should have turned off, when I came across the road I needed to turn into. Kapowai Road which also happens to be a dirt road. I found the place a little way along and it’s a gorgeous farm house type of stay with plenty of animals about to entertain you. 

I met Justin (his wife is Fiona and she was busy sorting kids out), he suggested I get supplies in Whitianga and also recommended a few places that might be good to eat.  Of course I had to take a few pics first before heading into Whitianga.  

While I was there I went and found the skipper of the Cathedral Cove Cruises, as I was hoping to do the condensed tour in the morning. It was one of the few things I really wanted to do on this trip. I got it all sorted and was going to be having another bright and early start the next day.

I found some fish and calamari as you do when you're by the seaside and had another early dinner down by the bay. I sat on the end of a seat that had a memorial plaque on it for a much loved local to eat my dinner and take a few pics before driving back to where I was staying. I was back in time for a wander and some communing with the animals. It was such a restful relaxing peaceful place.  And no phone (if you had one with you) or wifi access – yay! Such a bonus when it ensures you switch off.  

I woke the next morning to rain, so that didn’t look promising for the cruise I was hoping to go on.  Still, being optimistic I got up and organised early, in plenty of time to make the 20 minute drive to meet the boat. Of course, despite my optimism, the cruise was cancelled due to the weather conditions. Ah well, plan b!

Found a bakery and bought some wicked goodness for breakfast before getting on my way. I took a leisurely drive to Waitomo with a few stops along the way. The countryside is so lush and green, rolling green hills all around. I saw a few places along the way with woolly alpaca’s. They always look kinda cute.

I have to say I was very glad of the car’s navigational system. Without it, I’d have been lost on this trip. I must admit I did wonder where it was taking me when I went through Mystery Creek because it seemed a little off the beaten track, however, it was just bypassing the middle of Hamilton.

I probably spent 3-4 hours driving (more than the time it should have taken me to get here due to stops) and I decided to go to Waitomo Caves as the car hire company I was with had bit of a thing going with them. If you present your keyring then you get into the caves for free, saving the $49 entry fee. Sometimes it's the little things!

This was the 4^th time I’d seen Glow Worm Caves, the others have been at Mt Tamborine on the Gold Coast, Hastings Caves in Tasmania and the caves at Te Anau in the South Island of NZ. 

The particular cave I was in went 14 metres below the surface and as always, was beautiful inside. I have to say the glow worm grotto in this cave was incredible. So many glow worms! It looked a little like a very starry night sky. You could even see some of the lines they drop in an earlier part of the cave. 

The walk in and out of the Waitomo Cave isn’t as strenuous as some of the others I’ve been in, so that was a pleasant surprise. I think this cave would be my favourite of the glow worm caves I've visited. Next stop Te Awamutu!