New Discoveries - Te Waihou Walkway, Blue Spring

The Blue Spring, Putaruru.   The water is 11 degrees all year around and is so amazingly blue and clear.  We decided this would be the perfect place to take the kids on a hot day.  Totally underestimated 11 degree water though, even on a stinking hot day, it was bone chillingly cold. It was fun watching people squeal and squirm until it was our turn. Ice cream headaches are just a tickle compared to the all over body ache this water created.   Worth the experience though, it really is incredible.

With the 3 children we parked at the Leslie Road entrance (about 3.6km down Leslie Road, off Whites Rd, on the right hand side) and it was a short and really manageable walk to the popular swimming hole.  From Whites Road it is longer, around 4.7km long, but apparently a beautiful walk.  We'll save that for another day.

We went on a cicada hunt and Sprat was able to give us a lesson on the life cycle of a cicada as he has been studying them this week at school.  I had no idea he was so clued on up cicadas!

An awesome family walk - pack a picnic, throw in towels and togs and a snorkel if you dare. And bring some empty water bottles - you can fill your bottles from the spring.

New Discoveries - Waitomo to Marokopa Short Walks

Another adventure was had by us yesterday.  We headed out past Waitomo Village towards Marokopa, looking for the Mangapohue Natural Bridge.

We pretty much drove into the boomsticks of back and beyond.  25km past Waitomo Village on Te Anga Road, a tight winding road with nothing around us but bush, paddocks and scrub land.  I started wondering what I was getting myself into.  And was very thankful no-one got sick.

But the drive is more than worth it.  The carpark for the Mangapohue Bridge is well signposted and on the right hand side of the road.  Its a 5 minute walk along a really cool boardwalk to get to the bridge and its spectacular.

Its a huge 17 metre limestone arch, apparently all that is left of an ancient cave system.  You can take the stairs up to the top, and the kids spent a fair amount of time up here listening to their voices echoing about the walls.

From the top of the bridge you can walk around through farmland back to the carpark.  Unless its been raining.  Then its just a big sludgy mud mess and its best avoided from the bridge side.  We went back around and took the carpark path to the farmland as we really wanted to see the fossilised oyster shells.

There were really random outcroppings of rocks with some pretty cool fossils in them.  Great learning opportunity for the kids and for them to explore and touch.

Back to the car, and a further 4km down is the Piripiri Cave.  Again the carpark for this is on the right hand side.

This was another short 5 minute walk to get to the entrance of the cave.  Being a cave, obviously it was rather dark and probably quite spooky looking to the children.  It had stairs to the bottom, and I stood inside at the top for a few minutes to let my eyes adjust to the darkness.

The children were rather hesitant about entering the cave, but after I told them I was going in and they could wait for me at the top they decided sticking with me in the dark cave was a better option than waiting alone at the top.  Don't worry, I would of been able to see them the whole time had they decided not to come with me.

Of course once in there, much more shouting, echoing and fun followed!  You don't need a torch as there is enough light coming from the entrance to see.

And a further 2km down from the cave are the Marokopa Falls, carpark on the left hand side.  This was another very short walk to the most spectacular falls I have seen in NZ yet.  They were huge!

I was slightly impressed....

We drove on from here to the teeny tiny township of Marokopa.  By now the drizzle had really set in and it was a pretty miserable day.  We wanted to explore a bit more in Marokopa but the weather held us back.  It will be there another day but from what I could see it is a stunning west coast beach and well worth the trip to explore and spend the day.

Another day exploring the paradise I am lucky enough to call home.

New Discoveries - Hakarimata Rail Trail, Ngaruawahia

Excited that its school holiday time again.  That means time to explore more around the Waikato. Today the children and I rode the Hakarimata Rail Trail in Ngaruawahia.

It was totally achievable for their age levels and a great morning out.

The carpark and beginning of the ride on Waingaro Road is signposted and is only about a 100 metres on the right after the Perry Quarry entrance.

Its only 1.5km to the end of the trail.  The trail is pretty flat and grassy most of the way.  At the end of the trail you find yourself in a picnic area by a stream, and its only a short 200 metre walk to some small cascades.  There is even a bike rack to park your bikes up on.  The children had a ball here throwing stones into the water.

Shortly before reaching the picnic area at the end of the track it must be warned that we passed a tall 6 foot high wire fence which had 3 rather loud, growling and vicious looking bull dogs behind it.  They gave the children a heck of a fright and it was a bit unnerving at first until I realised that they were actually contained. It took some time to calm poor Sprat down and he was a bit on edge for the rest of the ride.

Other than that, we had great fun.  We were back home before lunchtime and the children are looking forward to their next adventure.

For more official information check out the DOC info on the Hakarimata Rail Trail here.

New Discoveries - Bridal Veil Falls, Raglan

We've been adventuring around the Waikato again today.  I just love the school holidays and the break in routine, meaning there is lots more energy for discovering.

We headed out to Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan.  Its about 38km from Hamilton, so was an easy afternoon trip for us.

The walk to the top of the falls was easy and pushchair accessible.  261 stairs down to the bottom of the falls and the kids just charged down them.  And then back up again.   This included The Girl, who at 2, amazes me sometimes!  There was a stop halfway down, with a viewing platform, so a great chance to rest for tired little legs (of which there were none in my family).

They had great signposts during the walk explaining how the falls were created from volcanic activity and the boys loved learning along the way.

Once we had finished up we headed into Raglan for a well deserved ice cream.  A great way to finish the day that started at a Retro Fair.  Couldn't get better really!

New Discoveries - Karangahake Gorge and the Waihi Mine

The children and I spent the most amazing day together today exploring the wonder that is the Karangahake Gorge, between Paeroa and Waihi.

The main attraction for the children was the 1km long tunnel and the torches they had to carry. We parked at the first carpark on the right (coming from Paeroa), over the bridge, and this takes you straight to the beginning of the tunnel walk.  The tunnel is lit, but the extra light from a torch definitely helps the process.  Its honestly the tunnel that never ends.  We got to the 500 metre mark and I had by this stage thought up all sorts of disaster scenarios that I was convincing myself could happen and had managed to freak myself out.  Thankfully I had to keep cool in front of the kids and the giggling echos from the boys kept me from tipping over.  Tunnels and caves are not my thing, but there is always light at the end of this one and the kids loved the experience.

On leaving the tunnel, we followed the track around to the right until we reached the beginning of the Windows Walk.  The children still had an abundance of energy here, so I decided we'd tackle this as well.  It was amazing.  The scenery was stunning.  You can't do this walk without torches though.  You enter pitch black tunnels which are broken occasionally by a 'window' to the gully below.  I really needn't tell you how my nerves were once we came out the otherside, but the children again thought it was great fun.

During the walk there were swing bridges to cross, which of course needed jumping on to make them swing as much as possible, a heap of old mining ruins to clamber through and old machinery to awe the children with their size.

The children amazed me.  The Girl, at 2, needed carrying up the steep stairs, but she walked a fair bit.  Sprat (6) and Danger Mouse (4) walked the whole way (just under 5kms) without so much as a single complaint.  I took a pile of food and drink and just kept feeding them the whole way around.

There was a stretch along the river which was a bit hair raising, as the path dropped off straight to the river.  Being the confident beings my children are they just charged ahead with my instructions of staying close to the wall, while I flitted and flustered behind them thinking do I ditch the backpack or just jump straight in if one of them falls in?

Once we had exhausted ourselves, we headed over to Waihi Beach for a picnic lunch.  It was only a 20 minute drive from the Gorge and a great place to just chill out and get sand in everything.

Bellies full (how they could pack anymore in after what they ate on their walk I have no idea) we headed back into Waihi to check out the mine.  We parked at the top of the main street and headed up the grass hill.

Whoa.  In all the years I have driven through Waihi I had no idea at all I was passing this.  The children were fascinated, and stood at the fence for AGES watching the tiny (yea right) trucks and diggers at work.  Its mindbogglingly huge.

Across the road from where we parked is the Waihi Information Centre, and in the basement is a Mine Information Centre.  Its quite informative and has a small play area for the kids where they can wear hard hats, hi-vis vests and play with Tonka toys.  Its free to get in as well, always a bonus.

Sprat mentioned at this stage he wanted to go to the Museum so that was our next destination.  It cost us $8 to get in.  Under 5's are free, and I think it was $5 for adults and $3 for children.  I was slightly disappointed.  It was quite small, with a lot of static mining models and some old TV's and radios.  A lot of information on the mine was provided though, but it just all looked ... slightly rough around the edges and a bit unkempt. Just my opinion though remember.  They do have the old Waihi jail there though, which was quite cool to see.  It scared the kids but I thought the padded cell looked quite appealing for naughty children ...

On heading home I noticed a sign for the Owharoa Falls opposite Waikino Station.  A sucker for waterfalls I couldn't pass this by.  I parked on the verge of the road about 30 metres up the hill (on the righthand side) and it was only a 10 metre walk down to the bottom of the waterfall.  Totally worth stopping in for a look.

A massive busy day which I totally loved.  We honestly could of spent more time there as there were things we wanted to see but we ran out of time.  It was a 'cheap' day out - for the cost of our petrol and the $8 museum fee, we were entertained, exercised, educated and exhausted.  I am planning on heading back over the next 2 months or so to see all the stuff we couldn't fit in today.

And what drive through Paeroa wouldn't be complete without a stop at the L&P Bottle.

New Discoveries - Ashurst Park, Pukete

We discovered a gem of a playground in Pukete (Hamilton) today.  Just off Ashurst Ave in Pukete, Ashurst Park has a purpose built scooter track, flying fox and a small, but fun and challenging playground.

The boys wore themselves out racing around and around the scooter track and The Girl spent her time moving between the different swings and trying out the flying fox for the first time.

This is now the kids favourite pick of playgrounds in Hamilton.

We've decided to expand our horizons and start exploring around the parks of Hamilton a bit more to give the children more variety and challenge in their playground play.  I'm hoping this will help beat the winter blues, for both the kids and the hubby and I, and give us a reason to get outside on a cold winter day and burn some pent up energy.  Who doesn't like discovering new fun?