Elsthorpe

Well we have been out of cell phone range for a couple of days ... in the countryside of the Hawkes Bay in and around the little township of Elsthorpe ... painting a tennis court, "grubbing" thistles, vacuuming the houses etc. Grubbing thistles is the process of pulling or digging out those prickly plants that grow in the pasture. They can take over the land very quickly .. just like rabbits!!. The Scottish immigrants brought these delightful plants into NZ in the 1800s ... so thanks Scotland ... NOT !

A road map showing Elsthorpe's two streets conveniently located on the side of the road

This is the picturesque northern entrance to Elsthorpe

Elsthorpe is a small town located in eastern Hawkes Bay ... a farming community on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It was founded in 1896, by the pioneering locals who were motivated from the recent establishing of Mangatainoka (world famous for the Tui beer) in 1889. It has a population of roughly 200. Due to the secluded nature of Elsthorpe, the only way to reach it is by car.

DIRECTIONS: Drive south from Hastings and Havelock North. Head down Waimarama Road. Go straight ahead at the second intersection where the road to Waimarama splits to the left (after bridge). You should then be on Kahuranaki Road. Stick to the main road and you can't miss it after about 30km (20 min drive).

Elsthorpe is small enough to walk around in a few minutes, or you can drive. Alternatively you can stand in one spot and be everywhere (un)important at once. Excellent for the lazy, or relaxed person in all of us Shopping in Elsthorpe is pretty terrible, unless you want to buy petrol, then its just really really bad, actually its unlikely you can actually buy petrol, better take a full tank.

Kairakau Beach - About 5-10 km from Elsthorpe. This is a magnificent beach with stunning views of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. There are a small number of baches and a camping ground if you want to stay.

Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve - There is a beautiful scenic reserve on the outskirts of the main village centre. The 35ha reserve is one of the best remnants of podocarp forest remaining in the district. The larger trees are mainly kahikatea, rimu, matai, and totara and the second tier is made up of tawa, titoki and mahoe. This awe-inspiring trek has been keeping locals, and tourists alike, mystified and entertained since 1896.

FOOD: Pack a picnic and make a day of it Catch your own. -As the slogan says: "if you can catch it you can eat it..."
ACCOMMODATION: In your car ... Under the stars ... In a tent on the side of the main road. They have lovely wide grass verges
EXIT: By car at either end of the town. Out and in aren't especially hard to find. You can stand anywhere between the two and see both. Why would you want to leave? You could settle down and raise a family.