Around the mountain

A fine day, with a hazt start, for driving around the mountain.  First stop, the wreck of the SS Gairloch, near Oakura.

It was a short walk from the road to the beach. The wreck is uncovered at low tide.

Next stop - Cape Egmont and lighthouse.

The end of the road- furthest west.

Lunch stop at Hawera -

leaning tower (not really!)

And some murals

We then drove back via Stratford and Inglewood.

 

Climbing to the summit of Hakarimata

The town of Ngaruawahia.

Maori sculpture.

We walked to the old reservoir through the bush at Hakarimata, the mountain range beside the river at Ngaruawahia.

Then we attempted the summit climb of over 1,349 steps...

I stopped half way after 700 steps and Malcolm continued to the top.

This is at the base of the track

View from the bus window at our freedom camping spot

The 'track'up Hakarimata

View from half way up

View from the top.