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Published: February 5th 2008
Kauri Forest
Long slow road through the forest.Starting off in Auckland, we began to head up north. Eventually to the plan was to end up in cape reinga, the northern-most point. On the road, we headed along the west coast, which is famous for the Kauri forest with a rainforest-like feel, and Dargaville, the sweet potato capital of NZ... sue and nick, you would have loved it!!! We got to Kaitia, filled up on gas and as it was only 3pm we decided to head up 90 mile beach to cape reinga. We drove up to about half way and drove across to the beach to find probably the most amazing beach we have ever seen. After dipping our toes in the Tasman Sea we carried on north until we reached a gravel track which led all the way to the northern-most tip of NZ, Cape Reinga. Here, you can see where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, causing so big waves just off the coast.
On the way back, we went down the East Coast and had supper in Doubtless Bay. Unfortunately, the only 2 options here for accomodation were an unmade bed and a haunted house... we weren't having any of it so poor
james had to drive on another hour to Bay of Islands. Pahia on the BOI was full of tourists so we had to drive around for about an hour until we found a hostel with a free bed, we were pretty worried we'd be sleeping in the car that night!
In Pahia, we had breackfast right by the beach and then headed to Whitianga to the Treaty House (where the treaty was signed between the English and the Maoris). For the afternoon we were advised to go to Matauri Bay for a picnic, but on the way down the gravel path to the beach we got a flat tyre! James got the temp tyre on and we had to go to Whangarei to get a new tyre. Here, we found a really nice B+B, the people were really friendly and the recommended Reva's on the waterfront for dinner.
The next morning we headed back to Auckland. On the way we stopped in Orewa to meet up with a family friend (hennie and marion's daughter) who gave us lunch, some advice about where to go and then we went to their local beach with her and her 2 sons
90 mile beach
Breathtaking beach that goes on forever! and enjoyed the really warm sea and sun. We got to Aucklnad in the afternoon and at about 5ish headed to Eden Park for the England Twenty20. There were lots of england fans in a nearly sell out stadium and we had a good time despite the usual cocky Kiwis who had an excuse for every wicket they lost! Dimi's four 6's in a row soon quietened the crowd!
We're still unable to do pics as we're in the same place, but we will get some on here asap.
lots of love xxx
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Natalie
non-member comment
get camping!!!
What...you arent camping??? NZ is at its best is under canvas in the summer. sounds to me like you need to rough it a bit more!! Anyway, if you are heading down through the wairarapa and get to Greytown, pop in to Marilyn and Johns for a cuppa ph 3049312, address is Kingfisher Cottage,Papawai.(she is my birth-mother). keep us posted on your whereabouts!