Blogs from Dargaville, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Day 2: Ahipara to Waipua Forest, 120km, The Donkey contemplates contemplation. Day 2 was a big day for Showpony and the Donkey, not only because of the distance. The hills were unrelenting, one after another. In total they climbed at least 9 big hills, that is not counting the many undulations in between the hills. The total climbing they did on day 2 was more than 2000 meters according to Showpony's GPS, which is higher than Mt Hutt and nearly as high as Mt Cook. The Donkey had never climbed so high in one day and Showpony had not much climbed at all in his life but coped remarkably well. The Donkey was admired for his hill climbing ability when he was younger, but not anymore as younger donkeys have taken his place. The Donkey was ... read more

R: We went to Dargaville. Well, someone has to, I suppose. After Mangonui, we headed into the Karikari peninsula. All around the Northland we had been seeing flocks of wild turkeys. I never would have expected that. Many end up as roadkill and I'm not that surprised. Several stumbled out in to the road in front of me as I drove on. All the beaches up here are just stunning and some have bright, white, silica sand. After pottering about on a few, we headed to Karikari estate, which is a winery on one of the highest points of the peninsula that has extensive views across and to the bays. Naturally, there was some tasting to be done, but as the day's driving had just started, I confined my tasting to a Pinotage and a Long ... read more

Hi me again, very very very excited, we have just seen 3 Kiwi birds in their natural habitat. This is an amazing achievement, not only because we have seen them but because we did it on our own and being true thoroughbred townies this is certainly a miracle !! Richard gave us a red torch and a white one, sent us off in the direction of Trounson Kauri Park, now bearing in mind, it's pitch black, we have to travel on a dirt track in the car, then try and find this park, it really wasn't looking good, (this is all new to us !!). Eventually we came upon it, now that was something, so we were pretty chuffed with ourselves so far, on go the torches, but they both kept going off, the red one ... read more

Next stop will be Waipou Forest It's full of Kauri trees. There I met the Tui bird. He makes such gorgeous louds. Apart from the Tui, we went for a night walk to search for the Kiwi. If you are quiet you can hear how he rassles in the forest. But don't frighten him with white light.Then he will escape.Use red light. This one he can't see. I am proud of having seen two Kiwis. For the first time I could hear their strong louds. Kiwis are territorial .I want to thank Christian for driving so carefully in spite of steaming pads and unstable vehicle body. THX Chris!... read more

Literally!! Today, it seems, that New Zealand was trying to blow me back to Australia.... and what better place to be for it then at the northern most tip, Cape Reinga. Think exposed, cliff faces, two seas colliding, white frothy peaks formed just out from rocky headlands, a lighthouse built in the 1800's, and me. The cape has significant traditional heritage and is based around the spirits of the local people wanting to rejoin their lost ancestors from when they came to this island. It is also a scientific research area and a sanctuary for a number of fauna. The bird life abounds throughout New Zealand I have noticed, but here on the cape it seems even more so. The long trip back down the cape was punctuated by a few stops for "forced" photo opportunities ... read more