The rest of Northland
A quick stop across the water at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds proved an interesting detour and the place had a great sense of history about it.
After a pretty drive across the peninsula we arrived in Ahipara at the foot of Ninety Mile Beach. After considering our various options for tours and activities we opted instead to do nothing and just enjoy the beach with some sunbathing, swimming and Frisbee….basically enjoying some down time at another impressive looking beach.
The next day we headed down the west coast through the massive Kauri forests, stopping along the way to see some of the huge old trees and some of the 'younger' ones too. Stopping for the night in Dargaville we stayed in a converted school complete with original blackboard amongst other things. It was a building steeped in character and it was one of the occasions when we were glad to be staying in an hostel.
On our way back to the east coast we stopped at the impressive Kauri museum to learn more about the history of the felling of these trees. Old tree stumps are now dredged from swamps in farmlands to make impressive looking furniture, though you have to wait a few years for them to dry out first.
Coming to the coastal reserve of Goat Island we stayed in a shed at probably our most basic campsite yet. The marine reserve is renowned for its snorkelling and its said that there is 10m visibility 75% of the time…unfortunately we were in the remaining 25%. Winds and a strong current stirred up the seabed so much that it was impossible to see much beyond your hand except the odd big fish from time to time. A shame but we took it in our stride and did what we do best with some more beach relaxation time.
On our way back to Auckland to meet Mandy we stopped at the relaxing thermal baths in Waiwera and then learnt that rush hour traffic is the same the world over as we failed to get our rental car back in time. Oh well.
Next stop the Coromandel Peninsula with Mandy for our last week in NZ…