Diary of horseback riding and camping tour through Taranaki and Waikato Regions

Account of riding holiday taken by Phyllis Long and Sylvia Lysaght on horses Ngaio and Ladybird.

Describes route from Punarima via Mokoia, Hawera, Ngaere, Stratford, Te Whera, Pohukura, Whangamomona, Ohura, to near Aria. Then by car to Te Kuiti and on to Waitomo Caves. Return journey by foot to Te Kuiti and back to Aria by car. Route on horseback continues with the two women travelling down the Awakino River to the sea and then back to Punarima via Tongaporutu, White Cliffs, Urenui, and New Plymouth. Account describes the people they meet and places they stayed along the way. Camping spots, bush, the condition of the horses (including Ngaio almost drowning), rats, mosquitos, bathing, and food (including picnics). Also description of Waitomo Caves. People of note include: Mr Henry and Mrs Ida Barwick (of near Te Wera): the Good family (also of near Te Wera) who rode through the Tangarakai Gorge with them; and the Ritchie family (including Thomas, Mary, and John) of Aria, formerly of the Chatham Islands, where they left their horses when they travelled on to Waitomo.

Also includes description of Waitomo Caves with tourist postcards pasted in.

Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Physical Description: Mss, photographs

Also includes Long's photographs and sketches as well as a hand drawn map of the route taken (with location of accommodation and campsites marked).