Ohope & Whakatane

MARCH 2019

Road Trip (Part 1)

Our friends’ daughter participated in the yearly OXFAM 50km walking event which was held in Whakatane (300km from Auckland). OXFAM is a world-wide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty.

This was the ideal opportunity for us to see more of New Zealand and we left with our friends on a Friday afternoon for our first camping experience in New Zealand.

Ohope was the first place where we pitched our tent. It is only 6km from Whakatane and the beach is one of New Zealand’s most loved beaches.

Fortunately, our friends had a big enough tent in order for us to share with them

It was interesting to see how the camping grounds differs from those in South Africa. The first thing we noticed is that there were no “braai” (barbecue) facilities at each camping site – this is something that you will always find when camping in South Africa. There were a couple of gas grillers at a central point, but “yeah nah” … you know our feeling about these.

We were also amazed at how well-equipped the other facilities were at their camping grounds. The communal kitchen had stoves, fridges, basins and even toasters for all campers to use.

A very well-equipped kitchen at Ohope camping grounds

There was also an area where you could sit and eat, as well as soft couches to relax with a TV playing in the background.

Even a dining room and soft couches

On further investigation we found a game room, as well as a small ‘theatre’ where you can watch movies!

A game room and a mini theatre

We were – to say the least – quite surprised to have found all of these luxuries at a camping site! Back in South Africa, you take your tent and everything you will need to enjoy a weekend in nature. And for entertainment, we usually sit around a fire and enjoy the outdoors … there are no televisions or sometimes even no WiFi!

Maybe there are camping sites here in New Zealand that looks different – and maybe Ohope is just a very ‘classy’ camping site!

We watched the sun set on our first camping night and also saw a thick bank of clouds rolling in from the ocean. We wondered if this is a sign of possible rain during the night.

The sun set on our first night of camping in New Zealand

And yes, it rained during the night and we had to scramble inside the tent to find dry ground – except for Berto, who choose the only dry spot in the tent! What is camping without memories like these?

In the morning we had to take everything out of the tent to dry out in the sun

After breakfast, we walked down to Ohope’s lovely beach. I can fully understand why this beach is very busy during the high summer season – 11km of uninterrupted, white Pacific beach sand and just beautiful. After last night’s rain, it was not so hot that we wanted to test the water, but it was great to just sit on the beach and enjoy this beautiful place.

It was great to feel the sand between our toes on Ohope’s beach – really beautiful

For the rest of the day, we spent time at different places near Whakatane where Megan (our friends’ daughter) and her team were walking the OXFAM trail. There were many spots on this route where we could pull out a chair and cheer on the walkers. The different teams stopped at each of these rest stops, had something to eat and drink before continuing their walk.

Berto & Werner enjoy a moment of laughter at one of the rest stops of the OXFAM trail

It was only late in the evening that Megan and her team finished their 50km hike. There was quite a festive mood at the finish line, with tents set up where you could buy food and drinks.

Colourfull chairs at the finish line of OXFAM 2019

Megan and her friends completed the 50km OXFAM trail – well done girls!

We enjoyed the day exploring Ohope and Whakatane and it was great to see the spirit of caring that was displayed by the participants of OXFAM 2019.

Oh, I saw this world map at Ohope camping grounds … and had to laugh.

New Zealand – On top of the world!

Tomorrow we will leave Ohope and Whakatane to see more new places. We were particularly looking forward to experience the famous Hot Water Beach at Hahei.

Click here if you want to read more on Part 2 of our road trip to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach in Hahei.