Karikari Peninsula

Today we explored the rest of the Karikari peninsula working from the bottom to the top. Our first stop of the day was Coca Cola Lake so named because of the colour of the water - very strange.





Round the corner from the lake is Tokerau beach, the long sandy beach we could see from Whatuwhiwhi beach. It was wild and windy when we were there so a deserted beach and waves crashing down onto the sand.



At the top of the peninsula we hit gravel roads and a choice of west or east coast. Firstly we headed west to Karikari Beach - WOW! A huge white sandy beach where we were the only people.





We then headed over to the east coast and Matai Bay with twin cove beaches. A beautiful spot with a basic DOC campsite to which we will have to return in the future. This is one of the bays.






Whilst this is the other.





Our final stop of the day was the northern most winery in NZ - Karikari Estate. We had a tasting platter of wine and purchased a bottle of chardonnay for sometime in the forthcoming months. The views from the winery were superb - this is a view down to Karikari beach.




Whilst this is looking in the direction of Matai Bay.

Ninety Mile Beach

From Cape Reinga we headed south to Te Paki with its giant sand dunes. As it was raining we didn't stop, but the tour usually allows people to jump or toboggan down them.





To get to Ninety Mile beach (which is in fact only about 60 miles long...) the usual route is down Te Paki stream. It is important not to stop when driving through here due to several patches of quicksand.





The beach itself is impressive, a wide expanse of sand and waves crashing down in the distance - cars and buses are recommended to only travel on the beach at low tide.




This is the only rock or island off the beach.







At Ahipara, the southern end of the beach looking up back the way we had travelled.

Cape Reinga

Today we took a bus tour up to Cape Reinga, the most northerly point of NZ. Our first stop was at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. This is famous for its giant staircase carved out of a kauri log extracted from a nearby swamp back in 1994 and is the largest of its kind.







We then continued north on state highway 1, the last 20 km of which are still unsealed (gradually being sealed from the northern point). From the car park area we had a stunning view out over Te Werahi beach and Cape Maria van Diemen.


We then walked down to Cape Reinga lighthouse which is still operational, though fully automated now.






In Maori legend, the furthest tip (where there is no public access) is known as Te Rerenga Wairua and is a very spiritual place for Maori. They believe that spirits of the dead travel to the underworld by climbing down the roots of the pohutukawa tree.




The Cape is also where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet - waves coming from different directions in what is called Columbia Bank. The currents caused here are very dangerous to any nearby ships.

Whatuwhiwhi

Our second destination was Whatuwhiwhi on the Karikari peninsula where we camped for three nights. The campsite was just over the road from the beach.





The township itself was very small, no shops with only a few houses overlooking the beach. Tokerau beach is the large sandy beach in the distance.






Royston had a go fishing here as well but unfortunately not successful. Campers with boats were having more success further out, many catching snapper.

Doubtless Bay

Our journey to our next destination point took us along the coastline of Doubtless Bay, named by Captain Cook. Our first stop was Mangonui, a fishing harbour where all of the trawlers dock with their daily catch. The main tourist attraction here is the fish and chip shop, about 100 metres away from the dock so very fresh fish. They have won numerous awards for their fish and chips.


Obviously an opportunity not to be missed so we had a fabulous lunch of battered bluenose fish and oysters - the best fish and chips ever!





The next two beaches along the coast, Coopers Beach and Cable Bay were beautiful. Here is a photo down Cable Bay.






The top of the nearby Rangikapiti Pa gave great views - firstly back down to Mangonui. The fish and chip shop is the first jetty with the dock just behind.





Then down to Coopers Beach in the foreground and Cable Bay in the distance.

Whangaroa Bay

Today we explored the area close to Matauri Bay visiting the beaches surrounding Whangaroa Bay. The first stop was Te Ngaire, a quiet beach with a few houses lining the shore.





Further round the coast was a similar beach, Tauranga Bay, which had a beachfront campsite similar to Matauri Bay.





The next stop was Whangaroa itself, a harbour where many game fishing charters depart - maybe next time...





Our final stop was Taupo Bay, a popular spot for surfers.






Royston tried his hand at fishing here, but the tide conditions meant that we weren't successful catching any dinner.

Matauri Bay

Matauri Bay was the first stop over point for our holiday where we camped for two nights. The campsite was right next to the beach and we had booked a beachfront site - you couldn't really get much closer to the beach without being on it!




There were two beaches in the area, firstly a sandy beach popular with families and we spent the afternoon on the beach and swimming in the sea.




The second beach was small pebbles and not so feet friendly! This was a more popular beach for surfers and fishing.






We climbed the hill overlooking the bays to look over the Cavalli Islands. On top of the hill is a monument to the Rainbow Warrior which was deliberately sunk off one of the islands and now a popular diving spot.




The views from the top were stunning - this is a view down Matauri Bay and the campsite (which is mainly hidden by the two lines of pine trees).






Whilst this is the view in the other direction around the coast.






Dinner was cooked on our new campstove - not a bad location to cook and eat!

Journey to the Far North

Our latest holiday took us up to the Far North which had been recommended to us by numerous kiwis. On route, we stopped off at Kawakawa famous for its public toilet!




The toilets were designed by famous Austrian born artist Hundertwasser who lived in Kawakawa for the latter part of his life. This was has gift to the people of the town and now a popular tourist destination.



The next stop was the town of Kerikeri at the northern end of the Bay of Islands. The main focus of the town is the Stone House on the banks of the Kerikeri river. This was built in the 1830s and is the oldest stone building in NZ.



We also stopped to visit the nearby Rainbow Falls.

Black Caps v England

Today we went to Eden Park with Dean and Craig to watch the Black Caps play England in the third ODI of the series. With England losing badly in the first two it was an important must win game.





The Black Caps were sent out to bat first and after a dodgy start, the middle order enabled them to reach a reasonable score of 234-9 off their 50 overs.





England got off to a patchy start before a short rain break, then steadily headed towards the revised total. Some good hitting by Collingwood meant that England won with 3 overs to spare.

Surfcasting at Mahurangi Regional Park

As today is Waitangi Day and a day off work, we headed north to Mahurangi Regional Park to try out Royston's new surfcasting rod for a morning fishing.





Despite not catching any fish this time, it was a good opportunity to practice casting and setting up, and we definitely got some bites as all the bait got devoured by something out there! Other fisherman on the rocks nearby did managed to catch a stingray.