From the 40th Parallel to Makotuku

Just south of Waipukarau on State Highway 2 is rest area with a sign with a very interesting message.  This site is the 40th Parallel – known as Latitude 40 South.  It is a significant parallel of latitude which only passes through the countries of New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, and is the start of the Roaring Forties.  Waipukarau is the only town in the world through which 40 South passes, and equates to mid Spain, southern Italy, and northern California of 40 North.  The sign also states that whaling is not allowed below 40 South.  Now, just what are all those Japanese whaling boats doing down in the southern oceans?  They should not be there at all.

Site of 40th Parallel

Cheep, cheep went the large family of little fluffy white chickens and their Mum as they rushed away when we all arrived at the rest area.  They slowly moved towards us as I called out, “Here, chook, chook, chook”.  They looked so cute as they pecked around in the grass.  We imagine they are well fed from all the visitors who call in to the rest stop and throw them their crusts as they have a bite to eat during their picnic stop. Goodness knows how the mother hen arrived in the first place, but the little family seem quite happy.  

Mum and her chicks

We turned off into a minor road and drove through farmland to reach our next destination of the historic Ormondville  Railway Station.  We had been there previously, but our travelling companions had not, and we were keen to show them the changes to  this lovely old building.  The station has been reborn and now serves as boutique accommodation with full kitchen and shower facilities.

Historic  Ormandville Station

The rooms are furnished with railway artefacts and memorabilia.  We peeped through the windows to get an idea of the furnishings.  It looks very cosy inside, and would be a completely different experience to sleep in a station, I imagine.  Although there are no longer any passenger services, freight trains still rumble along this line several times a day.

One of the bedrooms at the station

Vintage rolling stock is displayed on the tracks in front of the large shed opposite the station, adding an authentic air.  This enterprise has won several Rail Heritage Awards and it is great to see the station refurbished as self catering accommodation.

We were staying in the area for our next overnight rest stop, at Makotuku Domain.  There is a huge grassed area of wonderfully lush green grass.  The cost per night was only $8 for a night on power.  With only two caravan power connections between our three caravans we had to use our double adaptor on one of the points.

 Makotuku Domain, Ormandville

There was only one other camper, a house bus way across the other side of the domain,  so it was as if we had all this space to ourselves.  The facilities were basic, but quite adequate, and included a cosy lounge area.   We have been so lucky with the weather on this trip, and once again it was just glorious.  As we sat outside in the dark in the warm evening temperatures  the fire siren went off, calling the volunteer fire fighters to duty.  This set the neighbourhood dogs off and sounds of barking and eerie howling filled the night, as the siren went on and on.  Not to be outdone, Peter decided to help the dogs along.  Taking a deep breath, he tipped his head back, and gave his own version of a howling wolf!  Did this quieten things down?  No way, the dogs kept their noise up, but luckily there wasn’t any answers from a wolf pack! 

Camping at Makotuku Domain

How many camping areas come complete with their own grand-stand?  Not many I imagine.  The lounge/kitchen  area is housed in the low building added on to the the right of the grand-stand.  Pony club competitions are obviously a regular fixture of the domain, as we noticed a large number of timber horse jumps stacked along the fence line. The corrugated iron shed on the left of the grand-stand must sell drinks and take-away food items whenever there is a sporting fixture taking place in the domain.

The grand-stand at Makotuku

Our group of happy travellers never let a good photo opportunity pass by.  Here we are artistically posed in our very own grand-stand.  It was yet another beautiful day so we needed our sun glasses in the bright sunshine.

.Top row – Robin and Jenny, Geoff, Elaine and Peter, with Eileen on the ground