Tuesday 23rd
January 2001
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The ninth day of our trip takes us from Taupo up through the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga and on to Plummers Point Motor Camp and Hot Pools.
The first place we pass through is Wairakei, a place renown for steam – in fact there are an abundance of thermal places in the area and the steam is also used to run the 192MW Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.
We then pass through Rotorua, another active geothermal area. The Rotorua area has been inhabited since sometime in the 14th century and was the scene of some inter-tribal fighting during the 1800’s. Nearby are the remains of Mt Tarawera, a volcano that unexpectedly erupted in 1886, destroying a lot of world famous thermal wonders such as the pink and white terraces.
Next we head to the Bay of Plenty coastline, passing various lakes and forests along the way. After driving along the coast in the dunes, we rejoin the main roads for the drive through Tauranga and on the Plummers Point, where a barbecue dinner put on by the local pony club awaits us.
B Team
Trip Report – Tuesday 23 January 2001
DAY 9 TAUPO – TAURANGA
Nice cruisey start to the day, but “The Beast” (Silver Range Rover – also known as the “Holy Grail” to the I Team devotees) was not a happy “morning person” today. But after a little gentle coaxing, some TLC and removal of mud from the radiator from yesterdays hard yakka in Pureora Forest (yes, the Holy Grail was God touched and got through in one piece) we got on the road.
First port of call was Lake Rerewhakaitu. “Follow me” said I Teams fearless leader, Jason, and he boldly went where no man had been before (or coursemaker either) which is why he ended up in a big hole in the lake, water up to his bonnet. It must have given him a hell of a fright because he slammed his car into reverse and headed backwards in somewhat of a panic – straight into the Holy Grail. Wallop! Jason got a slightly dented spade, the Range Rover got bent bullbars. Impressive spade! What series and model was that? Or was the Nissan divinely protected? Had the Lord God Almighty deserted the Holy Grail for a split second?
Anyway with no serious damage done we hit the road to Rotorua, flying up a hill in convoy when …. Bang! One of our flock got a flat. Jill was driving the V8 Nissan with Brooke and Mitchell after Roger left the rally to return to Wellington, and the car got its 4th puncture of the trip. This time the gash in the side of the tyre had punched holes in one too many tubes and it got given the heave-ho. The spare tyre was too small, and the wheel nuts were the wrong ones. Andrew’s spare tyre didn’t fit, but Jason’s did, so at least we were mobile again. A frantic telephone search for stockists of special mud tyres (the hard to find sort), size 35x12.5x15 ensued, but turned up diddly-squat in Rotorua. Keith managed to find a tyre dealer in Tauranga who had 2 tyres of the correct size in stock, but they were already sold to some farmer who was coming in that afternoon to pick them up. The dealer must have charmed the pants off the farmer, because he called back to say that Jill could have one, and that he would wait for her to pick it up. Drama over….?
NO!…. After a beautiful drive around the lakes and along the beach track to the sand dunes, the V8 NISSAN had turned into a wheezy, spluttering monster gurgling and blowing steam and water out of its over-heated radiator due to being still chock full of mud after Roger’s play in the bogs yesterday – Cheers Roger! So, on this gently meandering, mainly road driving day, the I Team were first out, and virtually last in, once Jill had been towed in after having her tyre done. The radiator had finally given up the ghost. Not to worry though, a gorgeous meal and beautiful hot pools awaited us at Plummers Point Motor Camp followed by a slow start in the morning. Another cracking day!
P.S. Author reserves the right to talk about challenges with the Holy Grail – like broken fans and such like.
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SPECIAL MESSAGE
Greetings to Grace and Elliott at Eastbourne.
Sharon, Deborah, Jessie, Amanda, Joanne and Luke, Christchurch.
All going well – Mervyn and Lorraine.
The map below shows the route followed the Challenge vehicles today.
Map portions used with permission of Wises
The North Island Four Wheel Drive Challenge has been put together by a small dedicated group of 4WD enthusiasts (all experienced club members) on a non-profit cost-recovery basis.
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