Saturday, 10 April 2010

10-15.04 Northland Tour

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Sunrise on SH4 heading to the Central PlateauxFrostly start as the sun rising over Mount Ruapehu on SH4 - my favourite road in New Zealand!Frostly start as the sun rising over Mount Ruapehu on SH4 - my favourite road in New Zealand!

9 hours 'up the road' from Wellington was Orewa Beach9 hours 'up the road' from Wellington was Orewa Beach

Church at PuhoiSun setting at Pakiri Beach - our first camping stop!Sun setting at Pakiri Beach!Sun rise the following morning over the beachPakiri Beach - our first camping stop!

Mangawhai HeadsMangawhai Heads'On ya jetstar' at Mangawhai HeadsLots of sand & sky!Not sure if this happened by accident, but Jo liked the look of this!?Mangawhai Heads. Not sure if this happened naturally, but Jo liked the look of this!

Plenty of Pampas Grass to growing all over the place next to some beautiful beaches!Plenty of Pampas Grass to growing all over the place next to some beautiful beaches!

Wall mural at Waipu CoveWaipu Cove sweeping away into the distanceWaipu Cove sweeping away into the distance

Ocean BeachMore grassesOcean Beach

Taurikura - a great spot to have a spot of lunch!Taurikura - a great spot to have a spot of lunch!

The view from Paihia across the water to RussellThe view from Paihia across the water to Russell

The start of our Bay of Islands tripThe start of our Bay of Islands trip

RussellRussell

Joanna loaded with 'staples'- a Latte & a Ginger Beer!Joanna loaded with 'staples'- Latte & Ginger Beer!

Motuarohia IslandDolphins swimming next to our boat!Dolphins swimming next to our boat!

Somehow we ended up on a trip with the UK Caravan & Camping Club on their New Zealand Tour. We passed a camping ground the following day and saw loads of identical campervans, which were all numbered!Somehow we ended up on a trip with the UK Caravan & Camping Club on their New Zealand Tour. We passed a camping ground the following day and saw loads of identical campervans, which were all numbered!

Dolphins playingQuite inquisitiveCatching some air!One of the main boats that dot the Bay of IslandsHeading to Hole in the Rock at Piercy Island!Heading to Hole in the Rock!

Lining ourselves up prior to the drive through!Lining ourselves up prior to the drive through!

The lighthouse & old keepers house at Cape BrettThe lighthouse & old keepers house at Cape Brett

Making our way to Urupukapuka Island and Ortehei BayMaking our way to Urupukapuka Island and Ortehei Bay

View from the top of Urupukapuka IslandView from the top of Urupukapuka Island and across the Bay of IslandsView from the top of Urupukapuka Island and across the Bay of Islands

Who's looking like german tourist?!Joanna preparing to board the boatBlack RocksJust can't get enough of watercraft - heading from Paihia to Russell on the car ferry!Just can't get enough of watercraft - heading from Paihia to Russell on the car ferry!

Sunset in RussellSunset in RussellSunset in Russell

View from the Flagstaff over RussellView from the Flagstaff over Russell

Joanna under the FlagstaffJoanna under the Flagstaff

New Zealand's oldest church in RussellNew Zealand's oldest church in Russell

Nathan next to a pair of wakas at WaitangiNathan next to a pair of wakas at Waitangi

Intricate waka carvingsJoanna standing in the waka shed!Joanna standing in the waka shed!

Waitangi Treaty House & MaraeWaitangi Treaty House & Marae

Some of the amazing Maori carvings in the MaraeSome of the amazing Maori carvings in the Marae

Waitangi groundsThe New Zealand flag, the United Tribes Flag & the Union Jack flying at WaitangiThe New Zealand flag, the United Tribes Flag & the Union Jack flying at Waitangi

Quick stop & another amazing beach at Matauri BayQuick stop & another amazing beach at Matauri Bay

On Waipapakauri BeachOn Waipapakauri Beach looking up 90 Mile BeachOn Waipapakauri Beach looking up 90 Mile Beach. Unfortunately due to the tides, this is as far as the Scooby could go!

View south-west from Cape ReingaCape Reinga lighthouseCape Reinga lighthouse

Where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific!Where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific!

Cape ReingaThe Lighthouse & the famous sign!The Cape Reinga Lighthouse framed by FlaxJoanna under the signFinal shot of the Lighthouse before we started the 1100km journey south to WellingtonFinal shot of the Lighthouse before we started the 1100km journey south to Wellington

Joanna on the Te Paki Sand DunesTe Paki Sand DunesHaving a bit of fun on the Te Paki Sand DunesHaving a bit of fun on the Te Paki Sand Dunes

The most amazing beach in New Zealand - Rarawa Beach!!The most amazing beach in New Zealand - Rarawa Beach!!

Enjoying a brew on the Rarawa BeachEnjoying a brew on the Rarawa Beach

Rarawa Beach - very quiet!White sands and turquoise water at Rarawa Beach under bright blue skies!White sands and turquoise water at Rarawa Beach under bright blue skies!

Another ferry! This time from Kohu Kohu to Rawene across the Hokianga Harbour NarrowsAnother ferry! This time from Kohu Kohu to Rawene across the Hokianga Harbour Narrows

A Giant Kauri TreeA Giant Kauri Tree

On Baylys Beach, again due to the tides we were unable to explore the beach any further...On Baylys Beach, again due to the tides we were unable to explore the beach any further...
...although I did show Jo how good the car was going round in circles!...although I did show Jo how good the car was going round in circles!

Some of scenery we passed on our way down to AucklandAfter following the signs, which ran out after a single junction (a typical occurrence in New Zealand) we finally made it to Piha!After following the signs, which ran out after a single junction (a typical occurrence in New Zealand) we finally made it to Piha!

Piha BeachPiha BeachFeet on the black sands of Piha BeachSurfers at PihaJo managed to take these shots of Piha, while I was trying to fix our cigarette lighter, which had fallen apart behind the dash! This also caused a fuse to blow and stopped the heater from working too! Not particularly helpful when it was pouring with rain too! All was sorted and we started our onward journey to Hamilton...

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