Mokau, Waikato, New ZealandDrove Hwy 3 north. When we stopped for ice cream, the left side of the RV got caught on a sign. Thankfully not any damage.
Missed the turn for 3A and drove on Tarata Road all the way to Purangi until the road turned to dirt. Randy called it "bush riding." Two guys in a truck were on side of road so we asked for directions. New Zealander's are always so nice. They had us follow them to 3A. They drove like crazy people on this one-way road, zooming around the blind curves. The most harrowing drive ever for us nonlocals, but we made it back in half the time.
Finally made it to Egmont National Park entering at Dawson Falls. Really cool totem pole at Visitor Center. Very dark and cloudy with sporadic rain. Mt Taranaki's weather is known to be changeable and unpredictable. The snow-capped volcanic peak was only visible for a second or two between the clouds. Great area for hiking, but not for us in this weather. Continued on to the coast.
MOAKU, Whitebait Fish Capital, located at the mouth of the Mokau River on the North Taranaki Bight. SEAVIEW campground
Mokau Beach was right behind our campsite. Pretty cool going from gold sand in Abel Tasman to this black sand.
Next to us were people from New Zealand that live in Plymouth. They do whitebait fishing during the season (Aug-Nov). Our plan was to go to dinner for whitebait fish. Insisting the fish were too expensive (about $20/lb) and that they would made them for us tomorrow morning. He is a butcher and gave us Savloy sausages, which we cooked for dinner. Very interesting people that we talked with a long time. Finally learned about all the different sausages that we've wondered about in the stores.
Mokau Beach was right behind our campsite. Pretty cool going from gold sand in Abel Tasman to this black sand.
Next to us were people from New Zealand that live in Plymouth. They do whitebait fishing during the season (Aug-Nov). Our plan was to go to dinner for whitebait fish. Insisting the fish were too expensive (about $20/lb) and that they would made them for us tomorrow morning. He is a butcher and gave us Savloy sausages, which we cooked for dinner. Very interesting people that we talked with a long time. Finally learned about all the different sausages that we've wondered about in the stores.
3-13: Whitebait fish for breakfast. Our camping neighbors fixed the fish in a scrambled egg mixture, made into patties, and cooked. Also beef sausage, which was soooo good! The nicest people ever. They don't really enjoy eating the fish, they just like catching. Glad we were able to try the tiny fish that look little long skinny minnows, which were cooked whole. Not the most appetizing seeing their little eyes. Fun listening to their stories about catching the fish. Using a platform over the side of the river, they net them. In a day, they get about 4# of fish. Sounded a bit like the "Smelt runs" in Michigan.
They wanted us to come spend time at their house on the Tasman Sea since we must be tired of the rv by now. Couldn't even dream of nicer people. Had such fun with them and their stories. Didn't leave until noon.
They wanted us to come spend time at their house on the Tasman Sea since we must be tired of the rv by now. Couldn't even dream of nicer people. Had such fun with them and their stories. Didn't leave until noon.
Drove by the river to see the weather-beaten wooden stands lining the muddy river ready for the three-month season for the Whitebait Fish run.
Spending time with these local people was a definite highlight of the trip.
Spending time with these local people was a definite highlight of the trip.
2025-05-22