Day # 70 & 71

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It’s just another day for you and me in paradise……..I couldn’t agree more😊. After a rather exhausting day yesterday we opted for a shorter walk from camp over to the other side of the peninsula to Karikari Beach. This is it we think……….(I'm so confused there are so many places I would rank as Paradise!) What a stunning white beach that stretches from the Waipapa Bay all the way down to Rangiputa. Sitting on top of the sand is little pieces of pretty coral. We walked the beach and scavenged for a selection of pretty coral as a souvenir. The day is glorious and probably the warmest day yet.

Day # 71

We are on the move after enjoying 5 nights at Maitai Bay. On our way out of the peninsula we made a couple of detours to Whatuwhiwhi Bay and Puwheke Reserve Beach. Whatuwhiwhi Bay is the small bay at the end of Tokerau Beach. A nice quiet bay with what looks like a good sheltered boat ramp to launch your boat. We had intended to stay at the Motor Camp here earlier on in our journey but we really didn’t feel like leaving Maitai Bay.

Puwheke Reserve and Beach is further down Karikari Beach and not far from Rangiputa. There is actually walking access from Karikari Beach to Rangiputa and the walk takes about 3 hours one way (It’s on my next bucket list). So just a quick walk on the beach today and a wander around the rocky point at the NE end of beach. A noise of waves pounding against the rocks tempted us to climb up higher to see an impressive rocky gut with aqua blue water crashing in and out with the surges. Nice photo opportunity and something different to white sandy beaches.

Coffee and a wander around Taipa next. This beachfront settlement reminded us a little of a mini Whitianga with the way the Taipa river heads out to sea. The clouds are building again but still pretty warm.

A sudden stop at Cable Bay as someone forgot to shut the fridge and there were beer bottles and sausages running around the floor. Time for a quick pic then off to Coopers Beach for a supermarket shop.

Our next stop was Mangonui and a feed of the famous Fish & Chips for lunch. This is a cool little place that sits on the Mangonui Harbour. Today workman, are busy repairing the old wharf its quite impressive how they ram those huge poles down into the sea. We opted for F&C at the Mangonui Hotel. Sitting out the front on a picnic table with a view and a beer…….I could get use to this.

Last stop for the day is Hihi. A small peninsula that has the Maungonui Harbour on one side and Doubtless Bay on the other. The Motor Camp is on the Doubtless Bay side. Washing done and now time for a stroll across the beach to watch the sun go down.

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Comments

[Tina Lockington]

Jealous much!
So green with envy. This is my part of the world, where most of my family originated. Spent a lot of my childhood in the great Bay of Islands, and I believe no other part of NZ has come close to the beauty of it. Enjoy the beautiful Northland..