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Published: November 4th 2005
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23.10.05 Today we started our road trip! We set off with the Bay of Islands in our sights and anything else we came to along the way. Our first stop was Mount Eden in Auckland, it's the biggest volcano in the Auckland region, it was the best free view you can get in the city. At the top you could see the crater, which was cool. Next was Goat Island, called this because the only thing that can survive on there are goats as there is no fresh water. We saw lots of big multi coloured fish in the clear sea by the rocks.These were cool the area is a conservation area for wildlife and sealife,we spent a couple of hours here then continued with our trip.
Next stop on the way was Pakiri beach that we had read about in the Lonely Planet book,this is in the middle of nowhere about 25kms from the nearest town as we found out when we had to find a bank. When we came to pay for our pitch the card machine at the park wasn't working and we didn't have enough money. So we 'nipped' off to the nearest town for some
Vantastic!
Our first night! cash, Welsford. That's easy enough? Got to Welsford and none of the machines would work with our cards!! So in the middle of nowhere on a bank holiday with no money! We were forced to try our credit card, which worked! So we stayed our first night in our van at Pakiri beach. It was a nice big white sandy beach. Our van is very cosy and warm.
24.10.05 Up nice and early and on our way further up the north eastern coast. Next stop was Mangawhi heads and surf beach. We had our lunch there and a walk along the beach. There were a couple of big sand dunes there, with people boarding down them.
Next stop was Whangerai (pronounced fang-garay) We stayed at this site for 2 nights. It had a free spa, so that was nice. We went to the Whangerai waterfalls (28m) which flows over a volcanic lava flow and is where the Maoris used to catch their eels. We also did a nice walk and run around the park. That night we treated oursleves to fish and chips and a dip in the spa.
25.10.05 Today we headed into Whangerai town centre to
see the sites. We saw the town basin (little port/harbour). Then we went to 3 different parks (for more walking) Coronation Park, AH Reed park and another one. We saw some nice views and walked up some steep tracks. In AH Reed park it had a board walk up in the tree tops and a waterfall(24m) which we went off the track to see it from the bottom. (naughty) Around these country parks where tourists park we have noticed a lot of glass on the floor from vehicles that have been broken into. This seems to be the norm around tourist places.
26.10.05 Today on our way out of Whangerai we went to Abbey caves. These are undeveloped caves that you can see for free on your own or with a guide for $20. So of course we went on our own!! So armed with our little torch (not adequate for caves) we found the first one, Organ cave. The opening was quite a way down a steep and rocky slope, we were a little weary. Andy went first to check it out and saw it was pitch black and full of water. So down I went and off
Abby Caves
Don't reckon much to these New Zealand hostels! our shoes came. Into the freezing water. We only probably went in about 20m, but this was far enough and very cool. We climbed a few rocks, waded in the water and saw glow worms! These were really cool, like stars in the night. With it just being us there we were a little worried as it resembled a horror movie, no one knowing we were there in the pitch black caves. We climbed out and wanted more. We found the next cave, Middle cave. This looked similar and just as good. Maybe went a little further in this one. Having had a taste we want to do this for real later on.
Our drive took us to Bay of Islands, Paihia, the main town and beach. We had our lunch on Paihia beach. Then we looked around the shops and found a place to stay. We stayed by the Haruru falls. We hired 2 kayaks (got them for a bargin) they were $10 each for an hour, but we got 2 for $10 for as long as we liked! We paddled right up to the falls which was cool, and then just around the river, which is a
mix of sea and fresh water.
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