The moari rock carvings.

At 4 am they started! Not the twittering of dainty little birds but by the 5 Peacocks scattered around the campers and campervans. So now awake I got up and headed for the loo. There were two Peahens roosting in the tree by the toilet block and all around the Peacocks vying for their attention. In fact, the displays put on by these males were fabulous. They were still displaying when Ian and I went for a thermal valley walk at 8 am.

Took a good 60 minutes to walk around the Wairakei thermal valley. Some pretty neat fumaroles as well as the outstanding landscape.

Ian taking the ground temperature. Reads 75 deg

Back to the van,  it was a stop at Taupo and a boat trip to see the rock carvings. Bit choppy on the lake and as we stupidly decided to sit right at the bow, got rather wet for our troubles.

Ngatoroirangi rock carvings. 

By 2 pm it was off to Napier. 135km drive straight through the heart of the country. The views toward Napier was breathtaking. No chance to stop and admire so all these were taken through the van window.

Found another free camping site right on Napier beach. Has loos and a dump point but no showers. The railway is on the opposite side so what with the traffic and trains, we may well have a disturbed night. But it's free so can't complain and right on the beach too, can't get much closer than that.

And wildlife,

In the ladies loo!