In the cold mountains early in the morning we found the ski fields all closed so took a few hour tramp through the park to see silica falls, and by the time we got back the sun was spiltting the sky, but still no lifts could be opened so we headed on.
After checking out the spiral railway we headed across 'the forgotten world highway' on the way to Taranaki. We seen alot more wild goats on this 4 hour, 150km, windy half sealed road we seen more goats than cars. Tho it made for a very scenic drive, through the rainforests, farmland and gorges, as well as a few tunnels just about big enough for the campervan. Stopped off halfway at the republic of Wanga (NZ only replublic, formed because the local councils were going to change the village's rugby team's county) were the mayor was a goat but had recently died. No one else in the village of 9 people has run for replacement mayor yet, though a boar out the back may be a popular candidate.