Derek's New Zealand Blog 2012

Wednesday 8th February

Cape Reinga to Hamilton

Camped at Waitiki Landing, near Reinga Point, the most northerly settlement location of mainland New Zealand. Camp site had power hook-up, but had to pay a further $1 for a cold shower. Site very run down. Early start (8am) south so didn't have time to complain about shower. Shame, I can hear the aaahhhhs from here.

Waitiki Landing Camp Site, near Cape Reinga

Long steady drive south down the finger of North Island, in direction of Auckland, towards south end of '90 mile Beach', at Ahipapa, by Wairoa Stream. First attempt to take photos meant a long walk in wet grass, but short drive to second site gave great photos in good weather. Two piglets spotted amongst the flowers. 

Piglets and Flowers in Ahipara, South End of
Ninety Mile Beach

South End of Ninety Mile Beach from Ahipara

Tauroa Peninsular, South End of Ninety Mile Beach

Drove on through Kawakawa again and imagined the steam train chugging down the centre of Commercial Street. Soon after Whangurei, we past the Uretiti Beach Camping Area again, where we stopped the night before last. Enjoyed seeing the Bream Point Mountains once more as we drove over the Brynderwyn Mountains. Didn't return along State Highway 1 Toll road, but drove through Orewa instead.

Commercial Street Toilets, Kawakawa

Bream Head Mountains from Brynderwyn Mountains

Stopped at view point at north end of Orewa Beach and looked towards Whangaparpada Peninsula and in distance, Coromandel Peninsula. After Orewa returned to State Highway 1 towards Auckland before turning off on State Highway 16 towards Piha. Passed a motorway fence painted in bright orange, just before being overtaken by a gold car with registration of 'GOLF IN'. Watched the car, with golf clubs on the back seat, pull into the entrance to a golf course, there's a surprise.

Waiwera and Waiwera River Mouth

Orange Wall, Highway 18

Car, 'Golfin' near Henderson

As we were leaving Auckland towards Piha, we passed several typical power poles covered with wires and connections. Common in New Zealand. Very twisty road into Piha, but views over Lion Rock are spectacular, not to be missed. Steep descent into Piha to beach with black sand due to the sand containing a large amount of iron. I saw the steps up Lion Rock, but unfortunately no time, so I enjoyed a milk shake instead. Rocks at the base of Lion Rock looks like a hand with a pointed first finger.

Power Pole near Henderson

Beach & Lion Rock, Piha

Piha Beach

Lion Rock, Piha

Pointing Finger, Lion Rock, Piha Beach

Drove through Auckland to 'One Tree Hill', for photos of the views over Auckland. The only tree on the summit was chopped down by a Mouri activist, so it was replaced by a very large stone needle monument at the same location, on the pinnacle of the hill. Continued through 'Newmarket' and 'Khyber Pass' to Mount Eden for more photos and closer views of Sky Tower in the City Centre. Interesting to see a volcano from the rim, even if it is no longer active. Asked lady to take a photo of me, she once lived in Liverpool, but has returned to New Zealand after living in Australia for a while. Chris contacted his old friend, John, so we called round for a beer. Lovely house near the centre of Auckland with good views over the city. After a long natter we continued south towards Hamilton, and stopped in a picnic area off the State Highway 1.

Traffic Island near Glen Eden, Auckland

City Centre from One Tree Hill, Auckland

Rangitoto Island from One Tree Hill, Auckland

Derek on One Tree Hill, Auckland

Chris contacted his old friend, John, so we called round for a beer. Lovely house near the centre of Auckland with good views over the city. After a long natter we continued south towards Hamilton, and stopped in a picnic area off the State Highway 1.

Mt Hobson & Mt Wellington from Mount Eden, Auckland

Little Barrier Island from Mount Eden, Auckland

One Tree Hill from Mount Eden, Auckland

New Zealand Magpie on Mount Eden, Auckland

Mount Eden Extinct Volcano Crater, Auckland

Derek on Summit of Mount Eden, Auckland

City & Mount Eden Extinct Volcano Crater, Auckland

Summit of Mount Eden, Auckland

24 degrees C, 60% Cloud

Lovely Sunny Day

No Rain

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.

Doubtless Bay Road, Highway 10

Cape Maria, from Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga Lighthouse and Signpost

Cape Reinga from Lighthouse

Derek at, Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga Sunset

24 degrees C, 95% Cloud

15% Rain

Showers am and early evening

Windy at times