Clarks Beach and Waiau Pa

After our uncomfortable night at Laingholm we headed south with the intention of  visiting the Clarks Beach and Waiau Pa area of the West Coast. The weather was beautiful so our spirits were high – excited to be starting the first day of our explorations.

First though we needed some fuel. Bruce decided that he had to find cheap diesel and was convinced that Papakura would produce the goods. However, this wasn’t to be so we searched through both Papakura and Takanini  before deciding that we were wasting too much time so we pulled in to the first Mobil station we found on the other side of the highway in Mangere. Needless to say it was only a few more kilometers down the road where we came across a Waitomo fuels station and the cheap diesel. However, we couldn’t fit any more in the tank at this stage.

The drive out to the coast was through prosperous looking, easy rolling farmland. We had to pass through Kingseat where the old Psychiatric Hospital was, and in fact, still is. I was surprised to see the old buildings still being used.

We arrived at the Clarks Beach reserve and parked up and took the dogs for a long walk along the beach. There was no wind, and the Manukau Harbour was as still as a mill pond. There were often fish jumping.

There was plenty of evidence of storm damage though with tree branches ripped from trunks in many places. There was also evidence of erosion on the beach with one sea wall in pieces and now totally useless in holding back the sea.

We were interested in some of the rock formations we saw. One rock below seemed to be a combination of fossilised shell, granite and mud stone.

We walked quite a way down the shore before heading back up to the road and making our way back to the motorhome. After a cup of coffee we headed further down the coast (a very short distance) to Waiau Pa.  The shore is steeper and there is not the same beach that we saw at Clarks Beach. However, it is still very scenic.

We parked up for the night at the Waiau Pa Boat Club property, and we were the only campers there. We felt safe though as the grounds are behind locked gates and there is a bright security light on all night. There is a big paddock next door so plenty of room to exercise the dogs.

Wewere treated to a lovely sunset before settling in for a comfortable and peaceful night.

In the morning we had a visit from two of Judy’s ex bosses from River Mill days – Gerald and Bruce Shand. Gerald was the first to visit and he is looking great for an 83 year old. He is still active and involved in his various business enterprises and travels often. Bruce came later to visit and he also looked good but was hobbling a bit because he had a new knee put in in November. It was great catching up with them and we were sorry to be told that the River Mill factory is no longer making bread.

A few meters down the road from our overnight park was a big two storey house that was being renovated. Bruce Shand was able to tell us that this was Huntly House. Huntly House is 107 years old, built in 1911, and had originally been in Palmerston North. It had to be sold to make way for a new subdivision, or be demolished. Fortunately it was purchased and moved in 8 peices to Waiau Pa.

Above is Huntly house pictured in 1970. Below is the house as we see it today. Bruce tells us that it recently suffered storm damage, hence the tarpaulins on the roof. It is a magnificent house and will be spectacular when it is finished.

We loved our time here and it was with a tinge of regret to leave the place to continue our travels.