Waimarama Beach – New Zealand

A Pictorial Journey

Close to Hastings and Napier, Waimarama Beach has a lot to offer. Fishing, swimming, surfing, walking, beach sailing and beachcombing.

I have been visiting family at Waimarama for more years than I care to remember. Memorable feasts of crayfish, mussels and freshly caught fish. Sitting on the deck looking out over the ocean and Bare Island sipping on a NZ sauvignon blanc watching the island changing colour with the time of day. Walks along the beach watching the surfers, the numerous birds and beach sailing. Fossicking in the rock pools on the rocky outcrop, and if in luck, discovering paua shells. These are a few of my favourite things.

Bare Island, Morning

Bare Island, Afternoon

Bare Island, Coudy day

Southern end of beach

Several generations have happy memories of fun at the beach. The younger ones enjoyed playing in the stream at the northern end of the beach, but the surf always beckoned.

Building a bonfire on the beach was always greeted with great joy. I wonder if fires are allowed on the beach these days. Watching the moon rise over the sea, is always special.

The drive from Havelock North to Waimarama provides magnificent views of Te Mata Peak on the left, and the Tuki Tuki River with hills rising up behind it on the right. Apart from the breathtaking scenery, Craggy Range Winery, which was established in 1998 on premium grape growing land makes for a wonderful stopping off point for lunch or dinner at the restaurant, or to visit the cellar door. The restaurant is the recipient of 2 Hats, and was awarded the title “Winery Restaurant of the Year” in the Cuisine Good Food Award. Dining there is a very special experience, and although my preference for white wine is generally a Sauvignon Blanc, I had a Craggy Range Chardonnay with my lunch – it was superb. Looking up at Te Mata Peak from the restaurant added a very special touch.

Te Mata Peak

Craggy Range Winery

Tuki Tuki River

Craggy Range Restaurant

Craggy Range Garden

Waimarama from the hill – before descending into the village.

If you have enjoyed this, you may like to read about my efforts to make Hastings “My Home Town.” https://travelwithgma.wordpress.com/2022/02/15

I owe a great debt to the Jones family for making possible all these wonderful visits.

A Week in Hawea – South Island, New Zealand

Hawea, Wanaka, Queenstown and Surrounding areas – a pictorial view.

Flying in to Queenstown from Australia generally provides spectacular views of the Southern Alps, particularly in winter.

We were staying at an awesome house, situated at the end of a “goat track” accessible by 4WD or walking, on the western side of Lake Hawea with spectacular views.

View over Lake Hawea from our house.

The house was so comfortable, it was hard to get off the couch in front of the fire, or out of the deck chair, or off the swing to explore.

Holiday house – Lake Hawea.

Hard as it was, we did manage to do a bit of exploring. Hawea is around 100km from Queenstown, and only a 15 minute drive from Wanaka.

The intrepid ones climbed the Isthmus Peak Track, close to Hawea. A trek for advanced walkers – 16km return, taking 5 to 7 hours, with fabulous views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The weather was unkind, they thought they were going to die, it was so cold and windy.

 

Wanaka

Wanaka is a little less hectic than Queenstown, although in the ski season it is popular with skiers who prefer a more tranquil place to spend their evenings. 

Queenstown and Glenorchy

Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, with views of the Remarkables – part of the Southern Alps, across the Lake. The mountains glow at sunset. A photographer’s paradise.  

Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu and is a 45 minute drive from Queenstown, along the lake. The scenery is spectacular.

Mt Rosa Winery, Gibbston.

Mt Rosa Winery is an approximate 1 hour drive from Hawea – a most enjoyable destination.

Hawea

The views of the mountains and lake from our house were ever changing, depending on the time of day and the weather. A never ending delight.

A significant celebration was the reason for this magical week in a very special place – and celebrate we did.

The views flying out of Queenstown to Wellington may not be as spectacular as flying in over the Southern Alps, but they are still pretty awesome.

If you have enjoyed viewing the spectacular scenery, you may enjoy viewing my previous adventure in this area, which is not for the faint hearted, into Skippers Canyon, near Queenstown. Skippers Road, Skippers Canyon, New Zealand.