Just north of Kerikeri, loop off State Highway 10 to Matauri Bay and the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, crafted by local sculptor Chris Booth. Then on to Te Ngaere, Mahineapua and Tauranga Bay, - all very fine beaches.
Skirting the East coast on S.H.10 you reach the picturesque fishing harbour of Mangonui, noted amongst other things for the excellent fish and chips at it's over-the-water cafe. A great place to eat for all ages.
Catch your own fish off the wharf at Mangonui.
A little further on are Cooper's Beach, Cable Bay and Taipa Beach - each with it's own charm.
Venture out along the Karikari Peninsula to the white sands of Rangiputa, then on to Golf at Carrington, plus Winery and Restaurant and then finally, Matai Bay.
Further North lies Kaitaia with Ahipara surf beach to it's West. Head north to Houhora Harbour where, beneath Mt.Carmel you can dig Tuatua shellfish on East Beach.
Then ultimately right on to the tip of the North Island, Cape Reinga and it's lighthouse, where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet in a mass of turbulent waters.
Tour buses leave from Paihia for the Cape and return via Ninety Mile Beach - a really good memorable, day's outing.
To the West is the Hokianga harbour, which has the charming and interesting (kind-of fascinating) old townships of Kohukohu on its Northern coast and Rawene on the Southern side. These are connected by the Rawene to Kohukohu vehicular ferry.
The ferry departs every hour on the half-hour from Rawene and on the hour from the Kohukohu Narrows. The first sailing leaves Rawene at 7.30 am. The last sailing leaves the Narrows at 8 pm.
Further to the West is the Opononi area which became famous in the 1950's for a local resident called "Opo the Crazy Dolphin". Keep going and you reach Omapere and dramatic views of the Hokianga heads and sand dunes.
On the way back,turn left off the highway and head down Horeke Rd. towards the upper harbour. Drop in and see the amazing geological formations at Wairere Gardens, in McDonnell Rd, then travel on to the Horeke mission station.
Drive home via Okaihau,- it's a very different world.
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Paihia has a lot of touristy things going on, - Island cruises,- thrillseeker boat rides - glass bottomed boats -dolphins - paragliding - aerial sightseeing - yachts for hire - fishing trips - scuba diving - Adventure World.
Visit the Waitangi Treaty House and learn about local heritage and culture.
Take in the Maori meeting house, marvel at the big Wakas [canoes] and also at the people who braved the vast distances of the pacific ocean in these craft.
Take the Fastcat to historic Russell and Pompallier House, or Cape Brett, Piercy Island and the
"Hole In The Rock."
Or visit Russell via the Opua Car Ferry and drive over to Long beach, or South down the coast to beautiful beaches and scenery.
Most importantly, wherever you go you'll usually find a good cafe in the Bay of Islands.
Noted Austrian Architect and Artist, Friedensreich
(Fritz) Hundertwasser, chose to end his days in
the small Northland town of Kawakawa.
Generously, he bequeathed to us as one of his last worldly offerings the design of the unique toilets which are found amidst the shops of Kawakawa.
It's a must see, - probably one of the world's more interesting lavatorial experiences - and it's free!
You'll come out smiling.
The Kawiti Glow Worm Caves are at Waimiomio, which is found a few miles South of Kawakawa. You can read about Glow Worms (NZ native flies) which glow in the dark and the history of this area at the following link -
Waimate North is 10 kms West along Te Ahuahu Rd (turn left off S.H.10 just North of Puketona Junction.)
In this small settlement with a distinctly English feeling, you will likely get more
than anywhere else in the Bay
of Islands, a sense of what it would have felt like to be a European missionary isolated in the middle of nowhere in the early 1800's.
Te Waimate Mission Station is the second oldest house in NZ (after Kemp's House Kerikeri) and is open daily to the public, 10am to 5pm.
Close by is the historic Church of Saint John the Baptist.
In the Churchyard cemetery are some (for NZ) very old graves and also New Zealand's oldest Oak tree. |
