We didn't get a real early start this morning so it was quite late when we got to the I Site. While we were at the I Site we learned that Paraparaumu is partnered with another village that is adjacent to it. This settlement is Paraparaumu Beach and between the two of them they have a population of 25,000 residents. The two villages are one of the fastest growing areas in this part of the island as they are quickly becoming bedroom communities for people that work in Wellington.
We decided on the village of Paraparaumu Beach for breakfast as they have a few shops and cafes across the street from the beach.
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| Village of Paraparaumu Beach |
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| Village of Paraparaumu Beach |
After breakfast we walked across and along the beach for a stretch. The water is quite shallow in this area which makes it good for swimming but a little tough to launch a boat. They have a unique solution that grabbed my interest and I stood and watched them for quite awhile.
The rest of the day was spent driving along Highway 1 which was inland a few kilometers. We did detour into see Otaki and Peka Peka Beaches. What we discovered is that for the most part they looked the same. The coast from Paraparaumu right up to Wanganui had the same look. The beaches were very firm and very flat which allowed the cars to drive on them. Where the water was a little deeper you found surfers and where the water was shallow you found a lot of bathers. All of them were pretty nice and we enjoyed our leisurely strolls along them.
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| Peka Peka Beach |
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| Peka Peka Beach |
When we got back to the van we went searching for a lookout that we were told was in the area. We had to find and travel up Maungakotokutuku Road and with a name like that it was not hard to find. We weren't able to get as high as we would have liked but the view was pretty good even from there.
We arrived in Wanganui in the late afternoon and spent some time looking for a campsite. Once we accomplished that we checked in and settled in for the night. It was a nice leisurely day.
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