This
could have been our most enjoyable drive so far. The 180km on State Highway 3 down the West
Coast from Waitomo to New Plymouth seems to have almost everything: dramatic
gorges; 180 degree switchbacks; single lane tunnels rough-cut through the rock;
cliff hugging twists and turns with vertigo inducing sheer drops; stunning
views of limestone hills, the Tasman Sea and Mt Taranaki; sweeping bridges
across lovely river estuaries. Almost
everything that is, because there are no fuel stations!
Approaching
the dramatic climb to the remote Mt Messenger, a momentary glance away from the
challenging road ahead revealed a low fuel lamp flashing. At the next rest area hearts sank as the
satnav revealed the nearest fuel was 27km.
The driver was further shamed when the co-driver announced there was a
sign at the start of our journey warning “No fuel for 150km”!
Anxiety
increased with each kilometre as we continued on in the most fuel efficient way
possible. But how do you climb a
mountain economically in a four tonne motorhome?
Eventually
we reached the small township of Urenui and the cheery gas station attendant
was sympathetic “a lot of tourists get caught out on this road”.
We
will never forget the delightful road between Waitomo and Mt Messenger and the
township of Urenui will always be special!
As for the road from Mt Messenger onwards, we remember nothing except
for the ‘distance to go’ counter on the satnav!
Three Sisters Beach near Tongaporutu
2 comments:
Nothing like a bit of drama to add to the adventure!
Oh I remember that wee town. Bit of a long way to come and rescue you, may have had to have been Mum and Dad.
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