Trucked on in the morning through Dargaville & stopped to view the 3 sister Kauri trees in Trounson Kauri Park then onto see the 'Father of the Forest'in the Waipoua Kauri Forest. He had a trunk over 5m in diameter & could be the oldest in NZ (probably 2000 years old)it was amazing, we had never seen trees that big! Kauri trees can reach 60m in height, they grow to the top of the forest canopy & then grow outwards making the trunk diameter's huge!
Went onto visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe which was amazing, all the history of these great trees.
Trucked on down to Parakai where it was raining so we went to the pub & ate t-bone!!
The next morning we went to the hot springs & swam in the warm waters & Jay went down the slides!! Left late morning & arrived in Raglan (surf beach) where we set up camp for the night, still raining! Got a Family Parks discount card, bonus!!
Monday, 4 May 2009
2/3/09 - 4/3/09 Ahipara - Opononi - Baylys Beach
Trucked on through lovely forest scenery to Opononi where we parked at another camp by the beach for the night. I saw a possum in the middle of the night on one of my many wee's during the night. Loads of stars!
Then on the next day to Baylys Beach passing though & stopping for lunch on the shores of the Kai Lwi Lakes (natural sand lakes). I went paddling in the lake.
Met a nice retired couple who lived in Wellington but were originally from England who we had a drink with in the evening.
We both got up the next day to go horse riding on the beach (I persuaded J to come!). It was a great morning & I got to canter on the beach, brilliant!!
Then on the next day to Baylys Beach passing though & stopping for lunch on the shores of the Kai Lwi Lakes (natural sand lakes). I went paddling in the lake.
Met a nice retired couple who lived in Wellington but were originally from England who we had a drink with in the evening.
We both got up the next day to go horse riding on the beach (I persuaded J to come!). It was a great morning & I got to canter on the beach, brilliant!!
1/3/09 Cape Reinga trip
Went on a day trip in a huge bus to the Cape. Stopped on the way to visit the Gumdiggers museum & walked around a recreation of one of their villages. Really interesting learning about the history of Gumboots & the old Kauri trees. Then onto the Cape where we stopped for piccies at the end by the lighthouse, it's where the Tasman Sea & Pacific Ocean meet but no big waves when we were there! Also where the Maori spirits of the dead depart the earth.
Stopped on the way back to go sandboarding down the huge dunes, Jay watched me! Then we drove in the bus down the beach back to the campsite! Well funny driving on the sand.
Stopped on the way back to go sandboarding down the huge dunes, Jay watched me! Then we drove in the bus down the beach back to the campsite! Well funny driving on the sand.
28/2/09 Doubtless Bay - Ahipara (base for Cape Reinga tours)
Arrived here early, set up camp & went for a walk on 90 mile beach. Ended up in the golf club & had a few beers & met some old local boys. 1st golf club we've been to where they were heckling the other players! Had fun with the boys & several bevvies then headed back to camp for dinner. Booked our trip for the following day to Cape Reinga.
27/2/09 Haruru Falls - Whatuwhiwhi
Try & pronounce that!
Well today we popped into Paihia & went on a boat trip to swim with the dolphins. Unfortunatly we didn't get to swim as there were babies with their Mums but we did get to see a lot of bottle nose dolphins in a pod. They were huge & we would probably have found it a bit scary swimming with them! We both laid down on the front of the boat & they were so near we could have touched them if we were allowed! We were apparently very lucky to have seen the babies at approx 2 weeks old.
Trucked on in the afternoon through Kerikeri where we visited the oldest wooden built & oldest stone house in NZ then onto Whatuwhiwhi in Doubtless bay for the night.
Tonight was fun in the van as we experienced our 1st storm! Jay went to the toilet in his swimming shorts it was that bad! Not much fun cooking with no windows open though & the door leaked! We were right by the sea but didn't get to see anything!
Well today we popped into Paihia & went on a boat trip to swim with the dolphins. Unfortunatly we didn't get to swim as there were babies with their Mums but we did get to see a lot of bottle nose dolphins in a pod. They were huge & we would probably have found it a bit scary swimming with them! We both laid down on the front of the boat & they were so near we could have touched them if we were allowed! We were apparently very lucky to have seen the babies at approx 2 weeks old.
Trucked on in the afternoon through Kerikeri where we visited the oldest wooden built & oldest stone house in NZ then onto Whatuwhiwhi in Doubtless bay for the night.
Tonight was fun in the van as we experienced our 1st storm! Jay went to the toilet in his swimming shorts it was that bad! Not much fun cooking with no windows open though & the door leaked! We were right by the sea but didn't get to see anything!
26/2/09 - Northland Waipu Cove - Haruru Falls
Had a great sleep then packed the bed & bits away & trucked on!
J's lovin the truck!
We headed on the route 1 & drove through Whangarei (WH is pronounced Fan in Maouri)& round the Heads to stop for lunch. Pulled up, made sarnies & sat by the sea. Trucked on after lunch still on the route 1 to see the waterfalls Whangarei Falls, bit disapointing after seeing Iguazu Falls but hey ho!
Trucked on again all around the coast to Paihia & parked up at a campsite just outside at Haruru Falls, again tiny compared to S.America hee hee!
No sooner had we parked up but Jay got attacked by a swarm/flock of ducks! Well funny they all went for him & he got scared!!
Bay of Islands tomorrow to swim with dolphins!
J's lovin the truck!
We headed on the route 1 & drove through Whangarei (WH is pronounced Fan in Maouri)& round the Heads to stop for lunch. Pulled up, made sarnies & sat by the sea. Trucked on after lunch still on the route 1 to see the waterfalls Whangarei Falls, bit disapointing after seeing Iguazu Falls but hey ho!
Trucked on again all around the coast to Paihia & parked up at a campsite just outside at Haruru Falls, again tiny compared to S.America hee hee!
No sooner had we parked up but Jay got attacked by a swarm/flock of ducks! Well funny they all went for him & he got scared!!
Bay of Islands tomorrow to swim with dolphins!
25/2/09 - Auckland to Waipu Cove
Left Stillwater in the morning after packing up the van & went to get our 1st food shop! It was great to get bits to cook for ourselves after a few months in S.America, we went a bit overboard & spent too much but hey ho!
After fuelling up the truck we headed north & trucked on to our first stop for the night Waipu Cove. Found a cool campsite right by the beach, set up camp, plugged in & went for a wander. We had dinner & then sat out under the stars, listening to the sea & had a few beers, heaven!
After fuelling up the truck we headed north & trucked on to our first stop for the night Waipu Cove. Found a cool campsite right by the beach, set up camp, plugged in & went for a wander. We had dinner & then sat out under the stars, listening to the sea & had a few beers, heaven!
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