Wednesday – Opunake to Stratford, and the hike that was never to be!

We deliberated this morning; do we stay here at Opunake Holiday Park for 2 more nights, in the best camp site we have stayed in yet (and do the 3 hour round trip to Egmont National Park each day for hiking), or travel onwards to Stratford (the town nearest to Egmont National Park)??  We decided to drive to Stratford and take in a hike on route.

As we set off the views of Mount Taranaki were spectacular, however we could see the clouds rolling in in the distance.

By the time we had driven to East Egmont plateau, which was part way up the mountain the clouds had rolled in, and looked set to stay.  Our first hike was looking less likely as we strolled to the viewpoint which was cold, wet and windy…and the panoramic scene that was promised was just a misty cloud.

Hot chocolate and biscuits in the van to warm up, and we drove to another trail head, but the same situation ensued.  So, we headed into Stratford town to visit the Information Centre to see what they could suggest.  Stratford, which takes inspiration from its namesake Stratford-Upon-Avon has named all of its streets after famous Shakespearean characters…however, neither of us had heard of a character called Fenton (answers on a postcard please)!!  We stopped to watch and listen to New Zealand’s first glockenspiel clock chime at 1pm, and marvel at Romeo and Juliet who appeared out of the tower to act out the well known scene.

Then on the info centres recommendation we drove onwards in our quest for a hike…this time to Dawson Falls, where we climbed again into the clouds and disappeared into the mist, where the rain was incessant.  So folks, we hate to report that we gave up after 5 hours of searching, and at 3pm we drove to the Stratford campsite.

Having not stayed at a central town site before we were a bit apprehensive, especially when we went to check in and the lady in front of us was a probation officer enquiring after a client of hers that was supposedly staying there!  It was an uneventful night though, and the 50s style decor (all of which was baby pink) in the facilities added to the ‘uniqueness’ of this place!