The Northalnds

Our Budget car - masterfully turned into a little cafe

After settling in to the slower pace of travelling (quite literally with our budget car) we headed north for our first trip in to the more rural areas. This was up the east coast and would spend the next 4 days heading right to the top of NZ up to Cape Reigna. But our first stop was a place called Whangerai (pronounced Ph-onger-ay) this caused much amusement to many people, as i had no idea you pronounced 'Wh' as 'Ph'.

We stayed on the outskirts of Whangerai in a little lodge and set off for a local walk to the nearby caves. The attraction of these caves were the glow worms.

However, to get to see them, you had to descend in to the caves with a torch - BY YOURSELF. No guide, just a little head torch. We had 3 caves to see, we managed a good 2.5 caves without getting too scared. This was considering the water (very cold water) level in them could be up to your waste.

That aside, we managed to see the glow worms and braved the caves. The surrounding area and walk back to the lodge was also just great. Such a different landscape to anywhere i have been before, rolling hills, grass, trees, but all of it soo picturesque.

The next day we were again heading north and stopped at the local Whangerai Waterfalls.

After a 3 hour drive we arrived in the Bay of Islands and a small place called Paihia. Close by was the little settlement of Waitangi, the famous place where the Traeaty of Waitangi was signed (back on the 6th February 1840). A great place and a lovely museum detailing the history of how the treaty came about.

LUSH !

The afternoon was spent at a relaxed pace with the best dinner we have had in a long time...fish & chips on the seafront. Somethings are always good, no matter where you are !

The next day we headed north again to a little town called Ahipara, which is a beachside town at the bottom end of ninety mile beach. We stayed in a really lovely house/lodge that was made from a single Kauri tree (more about Kauri trees later). This was our home for the next 2 nights and a lovely place to watch the world go by.

Whilst Kip tried out the comforableness of the various loungers, hammocks and chairs, i went off for a day trip up to the top of NZ, Cape Reinga and ninety mile beach. A great day trip with a funny and informative guide, who brought the tour and region to life.

Cape Reigna was a lovely spot and a special place for the Maori people, who believe Cape Reinga is where the souls depart the land, into the sea. Also a great place to view the meeting of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

After the trip to the top, we had to head back south; before we did we stopped off to do a bit of sand dune surfing.









Head first on a body board down a very steep sand dune....good fun, but unlike the coach driver, i didn`t manage to get up enough speed to go down the dune AND cross the stream at the bottom. He passed the coaches...!
Now when the tour said about driving down ninety mile beach, i thought it might be a section of it..oh no, most of it. We rattled down the majority of the beach, stopping a few times to get out and look at the surrounding emptyness.

The final day of our trip to the Northlands was a long day of driving. We were to stay in Auckland that night, so a 6/7 hour drive. En route we stopped on the west coast at various places of interest, the most impressive were the forests of Kauri trees.

Now the Kauri trees are a native tree that are known for growing big. Actaully not big, Chuffing Massive ! We saw 2 of the biggest ones still in the country, their sizes don`t come across in the picture. They are Tane Mahuta the largest Kauri alive 51m tall, 13.8m girth and the widest Te Matua Ngahere, 30m tall and 16.4m girth ! Now that is a lot of wood.

We arrived back in Auckland and stayed with some friends, Kat & Simon, which was great. To stay in a home after being on the road for 2 months was great and we were made to feel very welcome. Thank you !