Festival ROAD TRIP
Tauranga to Tapapakanga — Splore
SPLORE
The founders of Splore went to Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert back in the early 90s and decided to create something equally wacky, wondrous and rule-bendy for Kiwis, without the dust. Twenty years on, this annual festival welcomes everything in: sculpture, light displays, local and international bands, DJs, food trucks, costumes and all forms of artistic expression. Here are some suggestions from Tauranga to Tapapakanga Regional Park.
1 George Cafe, Tauranga Food mad couple, Claire and Luke McCartin will kick start your engine with exceptionally good coffee and locally produced organic food in their retrofitted kiosk that manages to be both pink and inviting. Open from
7.30am weekdays. Vegan options.
91 Ocean Beach Rd, Mt Maunganui.
2 Owen Dippie Murals You’re going to a big crazy artistic festival so get your head out of work and into big crazy murals and interpretations of famous works of art, from Botticelli and Vermeer to portraits of Johnny Cash, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein and Biggie.
3 German Bakery, Waihi Some people say this is the best secret about Waihi (although not so secret now). You’ll continue to dream about the sourdough, it’s that good. Pick up a loaf or sandwiches for the road. 54a Seddon St. (If you’re super-organised, do a cheese-making course with Waihi local Jean Mansfield, the week before and make your own ricotta, mozzarella, gouda, feta, halloumi or camembert for the trip).
makecheese.co.nz
4 Katikati Naturist Park
You’re going to Splore, where you might as well leave your inhibitions at the gate. If you’re game, pop into this naturist park and have a quick game of naked petanque or mini golf. It’s $15 to use their facilities.
5Stop
Waharau Regional Park
and stretch your limbs on a
30-minute tree fern forest walk by the stream, which is a stunner. Get stuck into that bread. And remember to roadtrippers.com splore.net scrub your feet afterwards to help prevent kauri die-back.
1748 East Coast Rd, Whakatiwai.
6 The Pink Shop, Kaiaua This
place is not legendary but it got nailed in the storm recently so stock up for the festival and help them get back on their feet. They’ve got drinks, loads of icecreams, Panadol, wet wipes, sunscreen, insect repellent. There’s a pirate playground across the road for the young ’uns.
999 East Coast Rd, Kaiaua.
7 Clevedon Co-op The
last stop before Splore should be called Lord Of The Pies. Clevedon locals and Splore-goers gobble up their outstanding pies and pastries.
31 Papakura-Clevedon Rd.
8off
On the way home don’t forget to jump
the dock at Waitawa Park Bay or have a soak further down at Miranda Hot Springs.