Tauranga Bridge

Next stop Rotorua - Took the road from Gibson to Opotiki (SH2) passing through the Waioeka Gorge. Stooped a few times to enjoy the view and take a few photographs. The Tauranga Bridge (see blip) stands as a monument to the commitment of settlers (it's R in the blip not an early settler) determined to make a living off the land of the Waioeka. The first bridge was built around 1910 but was destroyed by a flood in 1918. The bridge was restored in 1995 and is a Category 1 Historical Place with the New Zealand Historical Places Trust.

From Opotiki we made are way to Rotorua where, after booking into the motel, we drove around town and visited the Rotorua Museum.

Next stop tomorrow is Tauranga and as it is just a short drive (50 km) we will visit some more places in Rotorua before setting off.