Taupo

The drive from New Plymouth to Taupo was uneventful, it was quite windy and with John being the only person that doesn't get car sick - it was quite challenging, especially for those in the back.  The accommodation for the next week is nice and right on the lakefront.

Unfortunately Taupo was hit badly by Cyclone Gabrielle and one of the 2 courses we are due to play is out of action with 1500 trees down, and in the process of recovering.  Caz, John and I played the Jack Nicklaus designed Kinloch.  Kinloch is one tough golf course and Caz, John and I played off the White tees - Caz was incredible taking on that challenge.  Skins was the comp of the day.  The day was sponsored by Shaz - who won a measly 4 skins, Caz winning 6 and John wining 8.  Some photos of the course below

Taupō was created nearly two thousand years ago by a volcanic eruption so big it darkened the skies in Europe and China. Taupō is home to boiling mud pools, steaming vents, coloured volcanic rock formations and natural thermal pools.  All along the landscape you can see the steam venting from the earth.

We played Taupo golf course as a substitute for Wairakei, Taupo golf course cannot have inbuilt irrigation because the pipes would get too hot and melt.  On the course there are rock piles which cover the steam vents.  It is crazy to think that there is all this activity underneath the ground where you are walking.  Taupo golf course is a country course - quite busy with the other main golf course closed.  Highlight of the day was Caz's first eagle.  Caz played brilliantly.  Comp of the day was Mystery Partner Multiplier and with 38 points Caz had pick of her partner, she drew Suzie and they won the day.  

At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power with more than 220,000 litres of water per second barreling over 11meter high waterfall.  The Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, moves gracefully north from Lake Taupō between banks 100 metres apart. Just before the Huka Falls it enters a shallow ravine of hard volcanic rock. The effect is nature's large-scale equivalent of a fire hose feeding into a very fine nozzle.

The previously placid waters roar and rumble at great speed along the ravine before bursting out over Huka Falls to crash into the turbulent pool 11 metres below. A foot bridge right at the top of the falls puts you in a prime position to get up close and witness the powerful display of water blasting by.  It trully has to be seen to understand the ferocity with which the water travels through the gorge.

Today was a rest day, massages at the Spa and a soak and relax in the Thermal pools.  At the turn of the 18th century, visitors worldwide travelled to Wairakei to “take the waters”, testifying to their “curative properties particularly for skin ailments” and the “therapeutic effects” on the body. 

Today the thermal waters warm your body to the core while nourishing and moisturising your skin, like they did hundreds of years ago.  With the added benefits of a great massage - we were in heaven.

Lunch at Wairakei Golf Course, here we can clearly see the path of the Cyclone and the trees that it took down.  So many chain saws going and fires to burn the excess timber.

Thursday, we were supposed to play the other Taupo Golf Course, but the wet weather was determined to settle in for the day and with no carts available we decided to give it a miss.  Instead, we had a lazy day which included a trip to the Driving Range.  All bays under cover and fitted with Trackman, we played various courses and had a few shoot out comps.  Really was great fun and before we knew it we had hit 360 golf balls.

Friday, we are back to Kinloch.  2 ball Ambrose is the game and we throw balls for partners.  Caz and I versus John and Suzie.  The day looked to be a bit wet but the weather behaved and we got around unscathed.  It is such a beautiful, tough, punishing and rewarding course.  It was Suzies first time as she was sick the last time we played it and she LOVED it!

Caz and Shaz were very very impressive on the front nine, John and Suzie were finding their rhythm.  They found it and stormed back on the back nine but unfortunately a 6m birdie putt sunk by Caz on the 18th clinched for the Cazza/Shazza duo.  Some photos of the Day below.

Saturday, back to Kinloch - deciding whether to play or not as it is raining.  We decide to drive there and see what it is like.  In the car park - we hear another person say that Wairakie is open for 9 holes.  We think oooooooo, that could be a plan.  So no Kinloch - we went to play Wairakie, which was AWESOME.  The weather brightened up, the birdies came, the deer visited - it was brilliant.  So 9 holes in the morning, and the sun came out half way around - we had a bite to eat and then went out for another 9.  Shazzy was the winner with 37 points, but we all had some brilliant shots and a good time.

It is rare to find a golf course that is a sanctuary - Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary is thought to have scored a world first! Skilfully designed to blend with the natural rolling countryside and developed to meet the rigorous design standards for world class championship competition.

Since 2012, Wairakei has worked closely with the Department of Conservation to develop conservation and restoration opportunities for native birds and wildlife to thrive. This includes using the predator free environment as a creche for kiwi chicks and a retirement home for retired breeding takahe.  The takahe pairs have enjoyed sanctuary life so much there have been takahe chicks in the last few years.  A variety of wildlife flourish within the sanctuary, mixed colour pheasants, guinea fowl, pekin ducks, fallow deer and a pair of karearea (NZ Falcon) that have nested and raised their chicks for many years. 

It really is a special place, but first the photos of the damage that Cyclone Gabrielle did.

As you can see the trees were pretty old and big, she must have been some fierce wind and storm to wreak that much havoc.  But it was great for Sue and Caz to play a bit of the course, John and I have played it before.  Now for some photos of the course.

This is it for Taupo, tomorrow we set off for Hamilton for a few days.  Bye bye Taupo and thanks for having us.  Thanks for the Coffee van across the road, thanks for the ice cream van across the road.