We had planned that our next trip would head south with the idea to explore places that we hadn’t seen or been too for several years. I had told Sarah that I didn’t want to drive any further than Taupo on the first day although if she wanted to stop elsewhere on the way that was OK with me as well. Sarah remembered an article in a recent edition of the Motor Caravanner that mentioned a DOC camp just north-west of Taupo at Whakaipo Bay. (#3333 in the directory) The article shows an extensive open field with nobody there close to the great lake.

We decided that we would head there since we have already stayed at both 5 Mile Bay and the NZMCA Park. The article mentions that the road down to the camp isn’t the greatest. Yes, it is unsealed with the odd lump and bump, but it has recently been graded, and according to the locals we spoke too in a lot better condition than it used to be. Another reason for choosing to stay here is that fur babies are OK and we are again travelling with Mr Blobby (our 20-year-old cat).

The camp is a long strip of land that runs parallel to the lake with a vast camping area to the right of the road and parking for day-trippers on the left-hand side. The first night here (Thursday) there were only 5 vans here it was hard to believe that we could be this close to one of the most popular tourist destinations in NZ and there be so few people here. It’s only a 15-minute drive into the main shopping centre.

We managed to squeeze between a couple of other campers located at either end of the reserve (no worries about 3 metres here) and get the awning out for a bit of shade from the sun. With barely a breath of wind and temps in the high 20’s, it was like a midsummers day.

There was a group from one of the local schools staying at the Girl Guide Camp located here, and they were all down at the beach enjoying a swim when we arrived. By the sound of the squeals of delight, they appeared to be having a great time.

It was hearing the kids that gave us the confidence to test the waters. I have never swum in this lake and Sarah thinks it’s probably 40 plus years since she has, but it just looked much to inviting not to take the dip. The water was much warmer than either of us expected, and a very relaxing dip was had. The only negative is there is an infestation of algae covering the lake floor which when disturbed floats to the top of the water. However, once in and out a bit deeper, it wasn’t really a concern.

I missed getting a photo of the magnificent sunset the first night just getting to the beach as the redness was vanishing from the sky.

As well as being an area for campers this is also a recreation reserve with walking and cycling tracks located at the far end of the reserve. There was a steady stream of traffic heading to and from the track creating quite the dust storm on the pumice based road.

Not having used the bikes for some time and both having lost a lot of fitness while I recovered from my chest biopsy we decided that now was the time to get back into it and broke the bikes out of the back of the motorhome. All I can say is that we were both delighted to have E-bikes to assist with the hill climb, although there weren’t any very steep uphill sections it did continue to climb for most of the 7.8kms to the top. We didn’t need to use the power coming downhill though!!

The ride itself is a delightful track on a well-formed trail that is shaded by the forest almost all the way. This does have the drawback that views of the lake are restricted to not much more than a peep here and there. Even the viewing area at the top is a bit overgrown reducing what would have been a magnificent view.

Had we been fitter we could have ridden all the way to Kinloch, and while we would have made it there, we wouldn’t have made it back. That can be a ride for another day when we are both a lot fitter. I should mention that although there was a lot of people coming and going, we rode the whole ride without meeting anyone coming the other way.

We had initially planned to spend just the one night here but ended up staying three we both really enjoyed the place, and although it got busier each night with 21 vans on Saturday night there was space everywhere. What I don’t understand is when there is space everywhere why do some people insist on parking within a couple of metres of our vehicle, arriving after sunset and then talking in the loudest possible voices until 10pm. I guess we should be thankful they shut up when they did!

Would we recommend that you stay here – Absolutely!!!

To view the places we have visited click here to see them on Google maps. You can click the links to read the blog about that area.

To view the Ratings, we have done for places we have stayed click here 

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