It’s obviously been quite some time since we last stayed at Taupo, and we certainly noticed plenty of changes since our last visit. The biggest one, as far as we are concerned is the closure of the Taupo Airport NZMCA Park, and the opening of the new Taupo Racecourse NZMCA Park. Situated north of Taupo and off Centennial Drive, we arrived on Saturday in time for lunch. Obviously there had been recent rain, leaving the grounds a bit boggy, and some areas closed off. We soon found a site, and settled in, we are staying here for two nights before departing for Cambridge.
Taupo Racecourse NZMCA Park
There is water available, and rubbish/recycling bins on site, but no dump station. The camp is bordered by a racecourse on one side, and a motor sports track on the other.
Taupo Racecourse
We spotted an American Airstream on site, such a distinctive shape. There are not many of these vans around in this country, in fact, the previous Airstream van we saw was operating as a coffee cart parked outside the motor camp at the Blue Lake, Rotorua.
One of the neighbours, a shiny Airstream van
The camp custodian came calling to check out that our membership and self containment labels were current. What a small world, it was someone we knew - it was Ashley, a member of the ICA group, who will also be joining us at Cambridge.
Driving down to the lake we discovered even more changes along the lake front, not so much parking available along the shore and new round-abouts everywhere. The iconic Love Taupo sign was still there, but not so easy to get to with no parking available in front of the sign.
The area of Freedom camping down by the lake side is still available, but why anyone would want to park up so close together is beyond us. We passed by a bevy of boats moored up, some looking rather swish and fancy indeed, together with boats offering excursions.
Boats everywhere
What would the view be like from the Lookout Point, I wondered. We couldn't see the mountains the previous day when we drove along the Desert Road. Only the base of the mountains were visible, the balance was covered in low clouds. The view from the hill top across the lake showed the mountains still covered in clouds
View from the lookout across the lake
As we drove to the new Taupo Airport building, we passed the former NZMCA site, looking empty and rather sad and forlorn. We always rather enjoyed staying there, especially when those crazy people were doing tandem jumps out of small planes and screaming their heads off! Always such fun to watch while sitting outside on sunny afternoons – not that we would be crazy enough to do such a jump ourselves.
And there it was, the new building. Let’s go inside and check it out and have a coffee, I suggested.
The new terminal was designed by local company Shelter Architects, built by Taupō’s Watts Construction, and is three times the size of the old terminal, and was officially opened in March this year. When we ordered our drinks the barista told us that the land for the new terminal was donated by the local iwi. He also told us that he was sad to see the the NZMCA camp closed as members staying there and visiting the café made up for 60% of his takings.
Airport Café
The interior of the building reflects the local area. Huge rimu logs salvaged from Pureroa Forest are a feature, as is the mauri stone that came from Tauhara Quarry. Giant photos of majestic scenery adorn the walls.
Giant rimu salvaged from the forest
Stone wall art
Out of the café windows was a range of small private planes all lined up. A commercial flight was due to land shortly, and the café was full to bursting with eager travelers.
Seen out of the window
Finishing our drinks we got on our way, making sure we didn't exceed the 30 minutes free airport parking. Arriving back at camp we noticed that most of our neighbours had packed up and left, but others soon arrived later in the afternoon to take their place.
No comments:
Post a Comment