Karangahake Gorge

Time to head back to Auckland to end our holiday but we had one last stop on the way at Karangahake Gorge. It was an old gold mining site and it had some long tunnels to walk through that you need torches to see where you were going, it was also my last opportunity to lose my mother but I failed miserably and she is still with us! It was a lovely conclusion to our holiday and some stunning scenery and a some great walking!

Mt Mauganui

Next stop was Mt Maunganui about 100kms away. We felt like we were arriving back in suburbia but by the time we got to our B&B we were tucked away from the hordes and one house back from the beach with a lovely view of the beach from the guest lounge. We did the 45 minute walk around the Mount and got lovely views and saw ships coming into the habour and all the activity. That night we soaked in some hot salt water pools at the base of Mt Maunganui.In the morning we went for a walk along the beach and saw the sunrise, and then had a delightful breakfast overlooking the ocean and chatting to our fellow guest and the host- a lovely way to end our stay.

Hot Water Beach

Next it was off to Hot Water Beach where there were hoards of people all digging holes in the sand along a certain stretch and sitting in pools of hot water. With our spades and towels in hand, supplied by our hotel we joined the masses. I pretended to dig for a bit and managed to invite ourselves into someone elses pool of hot water. It was amazing, in some spots with the same pool the water was too hot to stand in and yet an empty pool near by was cold! It really was quite and adventure!

Ferry's Crossing and the Lost Springs at Whitianga

We then drove to Ferrys Crossing where we caught the ferry across the little stretch of water to Whitianga and walked up to the Lost Springs some thermal pools in a lovely garden setting. It was a luxury setting and very nice, mum just loved it and found lots of unsuspecting swimmers to chat to! There were numerous pools of different temperatures, some were quite warm and you could not stay in them for too long!

Coromandel Coast- Cathederal Cove

Had a delightful drive through more forests to Cathedral Cove, it was a lovely morning and there were wonderful views across the coastline. Left mum behind to do a shorter walked while I did the walk down to Cathedral Cove which was a bit step for her and lots of steps. It was well worth the walk, the beach was lovely and the views stunning. Passed a bus load of Japanese tourists on the way back and the car park was full when we left so was lucky to get there before the masses arrived.

Big drive today, headed from Dargaville to Taiura. We spent a while at the Kauri Museum which was a massive museum and really gave you a great idea about the kauri forest and industry. It was a lovely drive down through more forest and then it was time to say goodbye, head back into Auckland and out the other side and headed south the Tauira on the Coramandel Peninsular where we were spending two nights.

Baylys Beach

That night we stopped at Baylys Beach overlooking the Tasman Sea. It was a long, wild beach that went for 100km and you could drive on it. Mum and I went for a walk that night and enjoyed a nice sunset that looked much more impressive on the photos I took. In the morning I went for another walk, and never saw a soul- again I seemed so small compared to the wild beach and the high sandy cliffs!

Massive Kauri Trees

Just when we thought we had seen massive kauri trees we got to the Waipoua Forest and saw Tane Mahuta- the oldest known kauri tree in New Zealand, it really was breathtaking when you saw it. We then did a 45 minute walk into the forest along lovely boardwalks to see the second biggest tree, the walk and the trees were just stunning, they made you feel so small and insignificant. The oldest tree is believed to be about 2000 years old.

Heading to the West Coast

It was time to leave Kerikeri and head to the west coast, fortunately for us the flooded roads had reopened and we were able to get through. It was lovely drive through more forests, green rolling hills, into a delightful town called Rawawnee where we sat and watched the ferry crossing over the magnificent Hokianga Habour. We then drove down to Opononi where we did a coastal walk out to the heads where you could see the entrance to the habour and the rugged west coast and the Tasman Sea pounding the shore.

Drive Matauri Bay to Mangonui

We headed up the coast and got some lovely views, even managed a walk on a beach before the rain set in. We had the best fish and chips overlooking the bay at Mangonui and then wandered around the old town and enjoyed looking at all the old buildings.

The Drive up North

We headed out for a day's drive, first stop was a lovely board walk through the Kauri Forest in the Puketi Forset, it was just lovely and we were amazed at the size of the trees.

Kerikeri and Beyond

Next Stop Kerikeri

Kerikeri was out next port of csll a lovely little town up in the Northlands. We stayed in a delightful Bed and Breakfast with such welcoming hosts and enjoyed a magnificent cooked breakfast each morning. Kerikeri had lovely old buildings as it was one of the first areas settled. We did a lovely walk along a very fast flowing river because of all the rain and as a result the waterfalls we saw were quite a sight.