Leaving beautiful Paihai we made our way via Kawakawa to Omapere. It is a twin city with Opononi ..a beautiful little place with a huge harbour...no people...no boats! A lovely bush walk to see the view of the coast...very isolated! Scenery on way was rolling hills, lots of sheep and cattle. Not too many mountains to climb for a change...just one big one near the coast. We then drove through kauri forest...24 km...saw lots of trees....did a bush walk to see the oldest kauri tree in New Zealand about 2000 years old...just huge! We drove to Dargaville for lunch...total non event even tho it had a big river running thru it...very very brown...and no cafes near it! Not too impressive! We found our way to Snells Beach which is a lovely sea side town in the Hauraki Gulf...just beautiful...we found a hotel Tudor style called The Salty Dog...perfect...nice rooms with front and back yards...in the valley...Fred rested while I walked down to the beach! If I lived in NZ I think I would live here...1 hour drive from Auckland, golf course, ocean...something like Bribie but much more hilly! Great food in pub for dinner!