Mapua Chalets » Family trips

Ngarua Caves, Takaka Hill

admin — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:53:47 +0000

Our family thoroughly enjoyed exploring these caves. We loved the feeling of stepping back in time and wondering at the limestones features of stalactities and stalagmites. Our tour guide was great and really captivated the childrens interest.

Ngarua Cave was discovered by bushmen clearing the hillside of scrub, after a bushfire had destroyed the surrounding bush. The early settlers visited the cave by horse coach. As visitors destroyed and removed stalactites and wrote their names on the formations, the cave was locked up for several years. The latest development of the cave is a second entrance, allowing one way tours through the cave.

In awe of it all.

Having a feel of the rock in the touch zone

In the cave several remains of the famous birds of New Zealand were found. A complete skeleton of a Moa is on display.

But the limestone recrystallised which changed its grain and colour. The rock is about 450 Million years old. The

marble is quarried near Ngarua Cave and was used to build several buildings in New Zealand: Parliament Buldings, the Beehive in Wellington and the Nelson Cathedral.

stalactites and stalagmites

A walk up to Wainui falls, Golden Bay

karen — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:48:36 +0000

We loved this walk as a family. It was a bit scarey at times with a steep drop on one side , but Ben and Hannah managed it fine. They loved the swing bridge to cross the river on the way up. In fact that was their highlight of the walk.

Hannah braving the swing bridge

When we got to the top all the children wanted to do was to dive in and swim under the falls. It took all our powers of persuation to convince the children that it would safer to take a swim further down stream where the current was not as strong!! My kids are mad!!!

Under the falls - well as close as we would let them!!

Taking a swim in a safer swimming hole!!

Chocolate in Collingwood

karen — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:22:54 +0000

We had to try the famous chocolate shop in Collingwood. We were not disappointed !!

Chocolate Shop in Collingwood

The pink cottage is so cute and so is the inside of the shop. Its exactly what you would expect if you step back into

Outside the Chocolate shop, Collingwood

time.

The kids are already talking about when we go to Collingwood again can we get some more!!

We finished a perfect day when some horseriders very kindly offered the kids a quick walk in Collingwood Domain. They loved it

Horse riding on the Collingwood Domain.

Horse Riding in Golden Bay

karen — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:04:19 +0000

Hannah was so fortunate to have a taster trip on a horse near Puponga beach. She loved it and we cant wait to do a family trip in the area. Stunning

Hannah horse riding in Puponga, Golden Bay

Meanwhile the kids found the best surprise ever inside a wacky letter box

What would you expect to find in a letter box??

Camping in Pakawau

karen — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:26:41 +0000

This get away was fantastic. We practically had the beach to ourselves which made it perfect for cooking damper on the campfire. Along with freshly caught rig. TASTY!

Hannah preparing for the campfire

The sunset was stunning , the pinks and orange colours painted across the sky.

Campfire to cook the damper

In the evening we watched the light house on fair well spit and stared at the stars.

Ben on Pakawau Beach

Breakfast on the beach the next morning – yum!

Ben and Hannah enjoying a cup of tea with breakfast

Fairwell Spit Cafe

karen — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:00:47 +0000

We spent the afternoon enjoying cups of coffee and wonderful nachos in the cafe. The children enjoyed looking through the telescope and reading about all the whales saved after being beached on fairwell spit

Looking through the telescope

Day trip to Wharaiki Beach

karen — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:04:29 +0000

This beach always takes my breath away when I see it. Well this trip was exactly the same.

Andy taking in the view

Emily leaping off a sand dune

The wind was howling and any snack we brought out was immediately covered in sand but we still wanted to stay as long as we could.

View from Rock outcrop

Ben and Karen at the top!

The views from the top of one the outcrops of rock was stunning. Ben lead the way for Karen and I!! and all he could keep saying was. Come on mummy – what is taking yo so long!!

Family Picnic at McKee Domain, Ruby Bay

andy — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:05:12 +0000

The children having a great time

Finding crabs on Ruby bay beach

McKee Domain Picnic

Camping – Kayaking trip to Mutton Cove, Abel Tasman

andy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:45:50 +0000

The highlight of our summer holidays was definitely our kayaking trip to Mutton Cove where we got to stay one night.

We started at Tata beach in Golden bay and set off across the Wainui Inlet. Unfortunately the swell started to get up and it got a little scary! But a short rest on the first beach was excellent.

Ben resting on the beach - waiting for the waves to calm down.

We got to see quite a bit of wildlife. Out to sea opposite Whariwharangi beach we watched a seal thrashing an octopus about.

Hannah watching the seal thrashing an octopus

A little further on we spotted a little penguin.

The small dot in the water is a penguin!

Around separation point we saw a lot of seals

And the seals watched us!!

Andy and Ben heading into Mutton Cove

Even Hannahs Bear had to come!!

Dinner by the beach! Freshly caught Mussels!

Morning sunrise

Mutton Cove Beach

The Wild West Coast

andy — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:56:32 +0000

We had an amazing weekend on the West Coast north of West Port. We shared a bache on the beach with the Deck family. The weather was wild!! which only added to the beauty and the mood of the coastline.