Awitu Peninsula
Last weekend we left Auckland again to visit Awitu and the surrounding peninsular South West of Auckland. As we came up the driveway we noticed a British bloke had mounted his car between an elevated parking space and a ramp. Alex suggested we help him out. We gathered a crowd and ended up lifting his car up, placing a timber under the wheel and freeing him before setting off to Awitu.
Alex's driving lessons have been paying off and she drove us the majority of the way to Awitu before my forehead was engulfed in sunshine.
We arrived at Awitu just before lunch, visiting the national park beach for some cheese and crackers. After that we wandered the beach for a while and headed back to bachie for a nap and a read.
After our rest we went for a run along one of the park's trails.
The afternoon saw us drive up to Manakau Heads to see the lighthouse and the lighthouse's view. Across the channel we could see the southern tip of Karakare which we visited earlier this year. We decided to stay the night at Hamilton's Gap: a free campsite which doubles as a coastal wind tunnel.
Despite the heavy wind coming through the gap in the coastal cliffs, the campsite was stunning. Maybe one of the best so far. Above is a view of bachie being dwarfed by another campervan.
We had a relaxing evening and in the morning explored through the gap to find the mystical beaches that were just beyond sight of the campsite. We spent some time on the beach, with only one moment of panic when Alex lost her phone (it was found pretty quickly).
We left Hamilton's Gap mid-morning, back to Auckland, and in time for Sunday's afternoon frisbee. What a weekend.
James