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Published: December 5th 2006
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The following morning we drove back down the other side of the Coromandel peninsula and again past by many beautiful sites. The road here hugs the coast line for quite some time. We decided to stop at Orera Point (just beneath Auckland). After finding the camp site (we took a few wrong turns) we headed down to the beach to soak in the view.
In the morning we drove through Auckland and continued further north to Orewa beach. We missed a good walk on the way as the weather was wet and we were running out of time to complete anything longer than 20mins! Was a shame really . When we got to Orewa beach we followed the directions but discovered the camp site we had planned to stay in was closed down, however we managed to find one right near the beach. By this time we were already pleased we had decided to keep the van for a few more days and see the very north by this mode of transport. I do not think either of us was quite ready for an organised tour.
We went to town the next day and looked around. I had to
Seal
He didnt want to turn around to have his photo taken! pick up some medicine so we tried the doctor in town but ended up having to drive a short way back towards Auckland to go to a walk-in centre like A and E. This was quite fast so we still managed to have most of the afternoon to travel up to our next stop of Whangui. We drove past the harbour and up the hill to a camp site. Was a nice place but there was a school trip and about 30 mad boys running around in the rain was quite noisy.
In the morning we continued north and decided to stay in Paihia as you can take a few tours from there. We drove through the town and to a few camp sites until we decided which one to stay at. One was really far away and one didn’t look too inviting so we went back to the first one we saw. On the way we booked onto the Hole in the Rock tour for the following day. He tour was really good, we even got to go through the hole , the sea was on our side. The tour basically involved seeing lots of the islands and
Hole in the rock
Taken from the inside of it. hearing about the families that live there, past and present. We also got to go to one Island for a while and take a sort walk to a lovely lookout point. Even though it did rain a bit I really enjoyed this tour. As we did the morning tour we still had the afternoon to explore so we decided to drive back down the way we had come to look at some toilets in Kawakawa that were designed by Frederick Hundertwasser. After we used the toilets and took some photos we drove back Paihia and went to the Treaty Site of Waitangi. This was really informative and strange to think that many years ago the treaty was signed on that very place. There was also a massive war canoe on display and lots of interesting carvings. In the evening while cooking dinner we met some really nice people. Amanda and Greg (Hi guys, hope the jobs in Sydney are going well?) came to our van that night to play a few hands of cards and have a few drinks.
The next day we got up and went on a tour to Ninety Mile beach. This was such a
Rock Face
Can you make out the face? fab day, we went on a short walk through the forest to see Kauri trees and then continued up to the beach. It is not actually ninety miles long, our guide told us that many different measurements have been suggested, it is more like 70miles or something like this. Still this does not take away from the beauty. The place was amazing and it felt so weird to be on a bus driving on the beach! The guide told us lots about the fishing (he repeated himself a few times) that happens off the beach ever year, some competition. The highlight of the day was sand boarding down the biggest dune I have ever seen. It was brilliant fun but was such an effort to get back to the top afterwards! We then continued up to Cape Regina and to the lighthouse. Yet again there is a sign telling you how far you are from places, had to have the photo taken by one last sign of this nature in New Zealand. The views were breath taking and after taking many photos we all hoped back in the bus. We then went to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom, basically a museum/shop
Time check
Thommo trying to make the time out! which has some really nice things made out of the Kauri wood, most of it is said to be over 44,000 years old! On the way back we stopped at a lovely small town and had some of the best fish and chips I have ever had. I really like the blue cod they have in NZ.
The following day we set off back down towards Auckland as the extension on the rental was coming to an end. We spent our last night sorting stuff out, doing some washing etc. The camp site we were on was not busy at al, in fact only one other van there - which suited us really as we had things to do for once! In the morning we got up and finished off sorting stuff and cleaning the van. We managed to squeeze in a quick visit to the Kauri Wood Museum (really interesting place - showing the saw mill machinery and lots of old pictures from when a very large one was discovered and then cut down). I think we both would have liked to have spent more time there but we had to get the van back by four and
Large Kauri tree stump
The size of these was shocking still had a way to drive back to Auckland.
Felt a bit sad saying goodbye to the van, had been a good home for nearly two months and didn’t break down on us once. We then checked into Base, the same place we stayed the first time in Auckland. That evening we joined in the pool comp and I was surprised not to be out for a while and Thommo came second I think. Some of the earlier practice around NZ must have helped.
The following day we did some sight seeing and met Martin (Hi mate hope you still enjoying your travels). Again we just stayed in the hostel bar that evening and played some more pool. The next day us three went up the Sky Tower. Some nice views and was great to follow on from doing this in many places in the States and Canada. There are not many tall buildings in NZ. Anyway Martin decided to jump the 192m off it. Was great to watch this from the bottom. Was a shame neither Thommo or I could really afford to do this, plus I didn’t want to risk hurting my back just before we
Us
At the lookout near cable bay were leaving for Oz.
I really enjoyed our time in NZ and hope to go back there some day, maybe in the summer this time to see what the difference the seasons can make. It is such a beautiful country with lots to see and loads of adventure sports to try out. I can not decide which Island I think is the best. Lots of people do say the South is the most eye catching however I thought that the Bay of Island area of the North was just as nice. So anyone thinking of going I would say you should try to see both Island if you have time. I had mixed feelings when leaving NZ for OZ, I was pleased to be going on to OZ but kind of sad to be leaving such a stunning place.
Onwards to OZ and some hot weather…..!!!!
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