Port Waikato, Tuakau Bridge, Huntly

From Pukekohe Showgrounds we drove out to Port Waikato, where we have never been before, intending to fish and stopping at a little reserve that runs down to the water's edge on the way. Without realising, we had parked across an almost unseeable driveway belonging to Viani who happened to be putting her rubbish on the road verge. What a lovely lady - after chatting to Len for a few minutes she soon had us invited  down to see her own well tended garden and beautifully positioned little house on the edge of the river estuary - a wonderful spot. We could see lots of little boats out in the water and people fishing from further around with Viani explaining that there was a kahawai fishing contest on the day. After strolling through her garden and the reserve next door we continued on to the black sandy surf beach which was busy being a Sunday and school holidays with surfers, quite a few swimmers - the water still being 20° - and walkers, some with their dogs.

Good rollers!

Trish on the black sand.

The fishermen all seemed to be on the estuary side and after doing a loop walk along the beach with it's steep eroding cliff- face 'sand dune' Len decided to abandon the thought of fishing and we headed back to Tuakau where we consulted our NZMCA app to help us decide where to stay. Tuakau Bridge Motorhome Park right beside the Waikato River, for $20 a night, drew our attention although, being a very new site, there were not yet any reviews on it. We backtracked along the road towards Port Waikato again only to find a locked coded gate to the site. After ringing the contact number on the app and being told that we had to check in and pay at the Tuakau Hotel we were once again on the same road back into town!

However it was soon sorted and we were on our way again.There was already one motorhome parked at the site and another had driven in just before us making 3. 

Tidy parking zones with river views. 

A pristine camp with power and water, allotted gravel parking spaces between new little hedges and each site with its own table. There are also 3 separate units available for rent. 

Please be interested in my spinner!

Although right by the main road it is also right beside the river which meant that the next morning Len could try some spinning - no catches but he could see some biggish koi carp that looked a little interested - not exactly what we would want for dinner though!

The evening we arrived we enjoyed a Happy Hour with Mel who works at a chicken farm and John, Marlene & Katie from Blenheim with Len rather liking the sample he had of John's home brewed whisky. It might have given him an idea even!

Monday morning golf was calling again so after trying his hand again at fishing we moved on to the Huntly Golf Club where you can stay for $5 a night. We were welcomed by the very chatty manager and, being a bit tired, decided to play the next morning rather than straightaway. This decision was helped by the fact that being a Public Holiday it would have cost us  $30 each to play instead of $15 each the next day - a bit crazy as it was very quiet both days. A large bus and a motorhome joined us in the carpark after dark and they both moved on fairly early in the morning so we were again by ourselves until 2 other cars arrived with golfers. And that was it!

Is it safe to be driving!?

Being in the Waikato it was still very foggy when we teed off - very difficult to see where the fairway went so it was a bit difficult until we got to about the 8th hole! It was a nice course to play though with it's usually straight but humpy fairways, faiway bunkers, trees and barely any rough to get into trouble in. 

Part of the course runs alongside the Waikato River and the Te Araroa trail follows the edge of the course here. We found the greens to be in pretty good condition so although my golf is poor right now I can't blame them! Len is continuing to play very well.