Around New Zealand: January 2013

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Far north - Puriri Bay to Whananaki

Far North - Puriri Bay to Whananaki

Day of trip = 17

Tuesday 15th January 2013

Last stop before a recuperating session in Auckland is Whananaki. Its pretty close to Whangarei and Auckland so is a pretty busy DOC camp, it has the capacity for 100 tents/caravans etc so there is a fair few people around (and the occasional sniff from the longdrops!). Still, its busy for a reason...another beautiful beach. Ooh and we see dolphins performing just along our bay - spectacular!!!!

We check out the local sights...Pateke (endangered blue teal ducks) and the longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere (a rather rusty and dodgy structure but yes very long!). We explore Matapouri Bay - a little further south, and the Mermaid pools - a sheltered sea lagoon where you have to trek over a big hill to get to at low tide...exciting adventure!

We have a couple camp luxuries...pancakes and even icecream from the friendly man with a coolbox. Pretty cool place.

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Lisa doing her cross stitch!

Whananaki

Rare pateke ducks

longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere!

Pancakes, bananas and cream!

Haloumi, beer and sun!

Trekking through Nikaus to get to the hidden Mermaid lagoon

Mermaid pools

Super clear water you can see the lobsters on the bottom!

Far North - Russell to Puriri Bay

Day of trip = 14

Saturday 12th January 2013

Easy trip from Paihia across the vehicle ferry to Russell on Saturday. The ferry costs only $12 (including car and passengers), and no queue, takes about a minute to cross the water. Super easy!

We loved Russell, old capital of NZ, and its main esplanade is waterfront, lined with old villa style buildings, cafes and bars, super cute! We restrained ourselves, but you could spend a lot of time and money on wine, icecream and coffees!

From Russell we headed down the coast a little bit to Puriri Bay. It's an amazing drive with views of the Bay of Islands at every turn. Eventually we head along a peninsula to a DOC campsite, pretty cheap and wow its a spectacular spot. Beautiful beaches! Lots of family here (few crying children at night, we found our ear plugs). Just up the road we do a 6 hour loop tramp around Whangamumu, very hilly (puffed!) but again lovely views and another turquoise beach to have lunch and swim in.

Easy to spend longer than 3 nights here but we keep travelling ever southward...

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