As with the four-week South Island portion of our road trip (post here) last February/March, a video in review will have to suffice for the two weeks we spent driving around New Zealand’s North Island. Perhaps someday I’ll find time to tell the stories of this trip.
© 2004-2015 Two to Travel. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by ERIN ERKUN.
Perhaps someday — when we stop traveling so much — I will have a chance to revisit our untold travel stories. In the meantime, enjoy Mui’s Highlights of Our South Island Road Trip — New Zealand video.
We decided to spend our last day in New Zealand in the company of birds — specifically with the Australasian gannets at the Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony.
Maukatia Bay — it's all about the surf and surfing here, but ...
... we're here for the gannet colony at the tip of the headland.
Just so you don’t think all we saw were small dots …
… here’s a closer look at some of the adults and chicks that kept company with us.
Photobombed!
What a great end to our six weeks in New Zealand.
Leaving Dargaville for Auckland around 9:00a, we stopped in Matakohe where we spent several hours at the Kauri Museum. As explained on the museum website, the exhibits “… tell the story of our pioneering settlers though the lens of the Kauri Industry. The museum specializes in the legacy of our Kauri Forests; specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized Kauri Gum.”
From top to bottom, the markers show …
1100 — approximate date of seeding of the tree.
1642 — Abel Tasman discovers New Zealand.
1769 — Cook Discovers New Zealand.
1840 — the Treaty of Waitangi is signed.
1960 — tree cut down.
The world's largest kauri slab — measuring 74 feet (22.5 m) long.
As interesting as it was to learn more about the giant kauris, what we really enjoyed about the museum were all the heritage exhibits … but that’s for later.
A sunny, warm day found us traveling south along the west side of North Island to our final overnight stop before we arrive in Auckland, from where we will be flying home on Wednesday. We visited several places of interest along the way; saw some sights; did some walks … short and longish. In summary ... a great day.
The Koutu Boulders line a beach overlooking Hokiango Harbour.
Martin Bay from the Signal Hill Overlook near Omapere.
Tasman Sea from the Signal Hill Overlook near Omapere.
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There is no way to do justice to the giant Kauri trees with photos … you have to see
them for yourself to appreciate their size and gaze at them in wonder.
Left to Right: Tāne Mahuta; Yakas; Four Sisters.
Putting our faith in the weather forecast that it would be clearing after noon, we enjoyed a quiet morning at our beachfront lodgings before heading up to Cape Reinga, the northwesternmost point of North Island. The forecasters were way off in their predictions, but at least we got some postcard images between the rain showers.
Cape Reinga is where the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean meet.
Te Rewahi Beach, with Cape Maria Von Diemen in the distance.
The Cape Reinga lighthouse was built in 1941 and first lit during May of that year.
the last manned light to be built in New Zealand; it is now automated.
Cape Maria von Diemen from the lighthouse platform.
Cape Reinga is known as Te Rerenga Wairua in Māori. According to legend,
this is the place from which Māori spirits enter the underworld.
Despite the rain, I’m glad we made the 150-mile (250 km) roundtrip drive. The views were definitely worth it … not to mention the Tip Top ice cream we treated ourselves to on the way back ;-)
Catching the 9:15a Okiato-Opua ferry, the easiest way to travel between Russell and the mainland, we headed to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn more about the treaty signed in 1840 between Māori Chiefs and the British Crown. Then we were off to Ahipara, on the west coast of the island, to check-in at our beachfront accommodations overlooking 90 Mile Beach.
Looking across the bay from the Treaty Grounds.
This waka houses the Māori ceremonial canoe.
The Beachfront … a great place to enjoy happy hour on the patio and watch the sunset.
A rainy, drab yesterday found us driving from Pukekohe — south of Auckland — to Russell in the Bay of Islands. The weather changed overnight. Today we had a mostly sunny day to explore in and around Russell, and get a bit of exercise by climbing a trail that offered great views of the area.
This old cannon, on The Strand in Russell, was brought as ballast on the Surabaya
with some of the first horses from Chile in 1841.
The waterfront beach overlooks Kororareka Bay; it is just steps away from our lodgings.
[Kororeka means “Sweet Penguin” in Māori … a reference to the meat of the Blue Penguin.]
The Russell Wharf and beyond … from the Flagstaff Historic Reserve Overlook.
[If you look closely you can see our beach in the center left of the photo.]
Tapeka Beach
Tapeka Beach ... the other side of the point.
With each step and elevation gain, the Tapeka Track provides better views of Tapeka Beach …
… and the cove on the other side of the cliff.
Our timing for our exercise-with-views walk was perfect … it started raining as we unlocked the car to head back to Russell.
We began our day with a climb to the summit of Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty. After all, we were told, you can’t come to Tauranga and not do this climb. The views — even though it was overcast most of the morning — were worth the effort.
Our reward for climbing Mount Maungani …
… a picnic lunch on the beach we viewed from the summit.
Leaving Tauranga, our plan was to walk one of the paths at Karangahake Gorge … but then we came upon the colorful murals and the hidden haiku pathway in Katikati. So, we switched our plans to walk around this lovely little town instead.
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Left: A mural appropriately named “The Great New Zealand Road trip.”
Right: A portion of a mural entitled “Sunday in Bush Camp.”
On the haiku pathway:
One at each end … of the park bench … a man a woman.
Love these surprise finds … they’re the best part of a road trip.
A rainy-day drive … courtesy of Cyclone Pam … the category 5 storm that hammered Vanuatu just a few days ago … the storm that weakened a bit as it bore down on North Island’s east coast. If we hadn’t already changed our minds about heading north via East Cape, this storm would have made the decision for us. We didn’t have to deal with the heavy winds that battered the coastal areas, but the rain didn’t let up until we reached Rotorua.
Haku Falls
Tama-te-kapua Meeting House at Ohinemutu, a living Māori village overlooking Lake Rotorua.
The skies have been clearing since we arrived at our overnight stop in Tauranga … a good omen for what we have planned for tomorrow before we get back on the road again.
The most popular activity at Tongariro National Park is a “difficult” tramp known as the Tongariro Crossing. That’s not what we did today, and the reasons why we didn’t will be in the story of our day … whenever I get around to writing it.
This was a day of waterfalls for us. In the morning, we did the hike to Taranaki Falls — 1.5 to 2 hours, but us slow-pokes did the track in 3 hours. Hey, what’s the hurry? Once back at the hotel, we took a break for tea, and then did a short walk to Tawhai Falls, followed by the Mounds Walk. The wrap up for our day was a glorious sunset.
Not far into the Taranaki Falls trail, we are rewarded with a glimpse of Mt Ruapehu,
one of the three active volcanoes within the boundaries of the park.
Taranaki Falls … the person at the top of the cliff provides perspective
for the height from which the waterfall tumbles.
Tawhai Falls … a rock scramble is required for the best views of the falls.
Yes … this is a mock postcard … but worth it to show you all this glorious color.
Such reds and oranges and golds are appropriate for a park that is home to volcanoes.
After dallying at the River Trader’s Market in Wanganui, we set off for Tongariro National Park by way of the Whanganui River Road. The distance wasn’t great, but there were so many interesting places along the way that it pretty much took us all day to get to our hotel at the national park.
The fissure in this giant orb on the Wanganui Riverside depicts the route of the
Whanganui River, which we follow on our way to our next destination.
Can you see us reflected on the surface of the sphere? NO? …
… well, here’s a closer look.
Whanganui River near the Aramoana Summit.
Lilies near Te Rangihekeiho Meeting House.
“House of Prayer” at Koriniti Marae.
Koriniti Marae
church of Hiruharama (Jerusalem)
We had a lovely day for a lovely drive. Once we were off the River Road, however, the weather changed, and we were greeted with rain when we arrived at Chateau Tongariro, our accommodations at the National Park. No worries, by the time we were settled in our room, the sun was out again.
Chateau Tongariro looks great in the sun …
… as does Mount Ngauruhoe, one of the three active volcanos within the national park.
