Going off radar for 5 days

[GingerMidget]

I applied for a weeks leave in March, and with that time I intend to go exploring the lower north island. Taking my car, some clothes, and thats it.

Any recommendations for places to go, must visit spots, and places I can shower for free or cheap?

I plan on sleeping in my car, so that could be interesting to say the least! Its not a big car, and I won't have a charger for my phone unless someone wants to loan me one for an iphone.

My sense of direction is shocking... (I got lost going from J'ville to Karori)

I'm excited already!

[TrentNz]

how can you explore the lower north island when you live in wellington :P

[phill-k]

I won't have a charger for my phone unless someone wants to loan me one for an iphone.

$12 at dick smiths for the cig lighter adapter

[jrandom]

Find $200 for a return ferry ticket and go exploring the South Island instead.

[jellywrestler]

wanganui river road is a goodie and maybe then go across to the gentle annie.

[scumdog]

how can you explore the lower north island when you live in wellington :P

My thought too...

A week of driving very slowly in circles ???????

[Gremlin]

Most important question.

Why the hell are you using a car

[scumdog]

Most important question.

Why the hell are you using a car

Maybe sleeping on a bike is too tricky

[GingerMidget]

Cos I don't have a bike yet, and I can't sleep on one. Plus I plan on bringing something back with me, and that requires me to have the space to fit it. I wonder how my flatmates going to react to the 200l fish tank I'm planning on liberating from a friends place in Ekata-middleofnowhere-huna?

A current 120l one isn't big enough...

[Gremlin]

Maybe sleeping on a bike is too tricky

But they've invented places called backpackers, with cheap accommodation?

Ah, no bike, OK then. Depends on what you'd prefer doing in your car, as there are plenty of gravel roads to explore out the back of Forgotten Highway etc. If you want sealed roads, Middle Road, Porangahau, Napier Taihape... east cape... lots of mint roads to travel...

[GingerMidget]

Right, so the plan is this so far.

Buy a map book, or steal one from mum (we all know she doesn't use it)

Take phone charger, drive north and stop when it gets dark. From there, pick the first state highway I can find, and go left.

I'll blog what actually happens, and where I end up. This is quite exciting already. First grown up trip! Or at least first trip I've been able to just pick up and go without having to worry about putting small animals in catteries and stuff like that.

I do plan on finding Gentle Annie and seeing how gentle she really is, which should be entertaining!

[Berries]

From there, pick the first state highway I can find, and go left.

Make sure the tide is out if you that means you are going to Kapiti Island.

[Paul in NZ]

FFS be careful where you park up at night. Believe it or not there ARE some utter bastards out there...... Camping grounds or back packers are well worth it.

[oneofsix]

Make sure the tide is out if you that means you are going to Kapiti Island.

Mana Island might be more accessible but she should be way way past that after a day's riding.

Are you planning to head north up SH1 or SH2 Gingermidget? As Berries pointed out it could make a difference as to how wet you get turning left on day 2.

[GingerMidget]

I should find out where some backpacker type places are then I guess. Cos I know I'll get yelled at by someone else if I do go through with the sleeping in the car plan. For some reason, hes a bit protective?

Maybe cos I'm a clumsy arse at times...