Derek's New Zealand Blog 2012

Derek's New Zealand Blog 2012

Tuesday 7th February

Whangarei to Cape Reinga

Drove from camp site on Uretiti Beach, just off Highway 1, at approx 8am. Camp site very clean and organised, eco toilets modern and new, but no electricity so decided to wash down instead of a cold shower. Past vineyards with nets covering vines for protection against pests before Whangarei. Arrived in Kawakawa to a surprise, a railway running down the centre of the main street (Commercial Street). Stopped for coffee at Railway Station and a tour of the railway sheds by an elderly train freak. Saw the resident steam engine and wrote in the Visitors Book. Passed the famous decorative Public Toilets and a slowly moving diesel train as we continued the mammoth tour around New Zealand.

Covered Vines near Bream Bay

Kawakawa Public Toilets

Steam Engine 'Gabriel' in Kawakawa Railway Sheds

Train in Kawakawa Commercial Street

Still heading north to Bay of Islands. Stopped at Opua for short ferry journey to Okiato, New Zealand's first capital. Short drive around Orongo Bay to Russell. Walked along Russell sea front and viewed the church before returning to ferry.

Boats from Bay of Islands Ferry

Duke of Marlborough, Russel, Bay of Islands

Kororareka Bay Canon, Russel, Bay of Islands

Christ Church, Russel, Bay of Islands

Luxury Boat from Bay of Islands Ferry Road

Returned to Highway 11 for short drive to Paihia and on to Waitangi, where the New Zealand treaty was signed between the Mouri and the British. Over the famous Waitangi Bridge past the moored sailing boat to the Settlement Grounds. Viewed the house and grounds with interest. Explanation of the history in the Lecture Theatre. As we toured the grounds, the Mouri Long Boat was being moved back into the boathouse after the Whaitangi Day Celebrations the previous day. Viewed the typical Mouri settlement and posed for photos at the flag pole where the treaty was signed.

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Treaty, Visitors Centre, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Mouri Waka, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Mouri Village by Hobson's Beach, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Derek by Flag Staff on Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Plaque on Waitangi Lawn at Treaty Grounds

Mouri Meeting House in Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Took our shoes off to visit the sacred Mouri Temple. Had to return to bus during the visit to the ground, camera batteries failed.

Treaty House on Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Continued onto Haruru Waterfalls near Waitangi. Stopped for a short break for the short walk to the falls, then drove along the Highway 10 to Mangonui for a meal at New Zealand's prize winning fish & chip shop.

Sailing Boat by Waitangi Bridge

Naruru Waterfall, Waitangi

Sea Gull by Mangonui Fish Shop

Mangonui Fish Shop

On the road again towards Cape Reinga, but stopped at two caravan sites to book a camp plot as the time was getting short. Darkness falls earlier in the far north of the country in the summer. Enjoyed the walk down to the lighthouse (unmanned) as the sun was setting. Magic views all around. Returned to camp site at Waitiki Landing, just before it was completely dark. Another busy and magic day.