NZ Road Trip - R & R in Hawkes Bay

7th to 10th March 26

In need of a bit of rest and relaxation after our efforts in Taranaki, we head over to the East Coast town of Havelock in Hawkes Bay, approx 350km. Our base is Te Mata Views Resort, a favourite of ours, and in our opinion the best equipped campground in NZ - pool, 2 spa pools, 2 superb lounges and kitchens, bbqs, and most importantly a private outside fireplace. We are camped between rows of apple trees which makes it very private and as soon as we are set up I head off to the secluded spa pool.

This is wine country with some of the best vineyards in NZ, including Te Mata, Craggy Range, Pask and Mission, and with good wine there is also fantastic food.

We head to our favourite Black Barn Estate for lunch which was delicious but unfortunately the oysters I ordered as an amuse bouche for us proved that the allergy I developed in Australia 27 years ago has not left me and that evening I was sick as a dog. The fault is with me not the oysters which were perfect.

Feeling a bit better the next day we go for a short hike in the Te Mata reserve, spend more time in the spa and fill the car up with apples.

R & R over. It's time to move on in search of some more action.