Sydney 1

Arrived in Sydney early evening of Monday 25th February after a good flight from Auckland.
On Tuesday we spent a couple of hours at the Art Gallery. Although we had previously visited the gallery back in November we were lucky enough to see a new exhibition showing work from some extremely talented art students. Some really good stuff.
We then walked through the Botanical Gardens- trying to avoid the hundreds of bats and HUGE spiders!
We enjoyed our picnic lunch before walking to Circular Quay to enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge (which I'm going to climb on Friday!) and the Opera House.
A relaxing Body Balance class in the evening ended the day.

This morning we got a free bus to Bondi beach. We then did the 2-hour coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee. A great walk. :-)
Had a wander around Coogee before getting the bus back into the city.

L & R x

Auckland

Well- we've had more rain in the last few days than we've had in the last 6 months!
But, despite the rain we've had a good time in Auckland. A great city.

On Thursday we met Ruth's parents (Zena and Eric) from their cruise ship. We decided to go for a morning coffee to share all our news. We then met with Lynda and Chris and had a wander around the markets. A nice morning.
In the afternoon we went up the Sky Tower. Great views overlooking the city of Auckland.
In the evening we went out for a lovely meal- the first meal Ruth and I have had out for AGES and it certainly made a change from pasta and noodles!

We were up early on Friday morning to meet Zena and Eric to get the ferry across to the volcanic island of 'Rangitoto'. A steep climb took us to the summit of the volcano. Great views. :-) After an easier walk back down we enjoyed lunch on the island before getting the ferry back across to Auckland.
In the evening we met up with Zena and Eric for drinks. Lovely to see them both.

It was pouring down on Saturday so Ruth and I spent a few hours in Auckland Museum. Great.

This morning we walked to the gym (mad!) and then had lunch back at the YHA. Got a really exciting afternoon to look forward to-washing and packing!
We fly to Sydney tomorrow- hoping for sunny, warm weather.

Love everyone,

L & R x

Waiwera Hot Springs

Tuesday 19th Feb- our last full day with Max. :-(

Arrived in Waiwera at lunchtime and spent the whole afternoon in the thermal pools.
I madly did an hour in the gym as well!
We take Max back to Auckland tomorrow......

L & R x

Whangarei

Arrived in Whangarei at lunchtime on Mon 18th Feb.

Our first destination was to the Whangarei Falls. :-)

We then spent a couple of hours in town before settling in at the campsite.
I then had the mad idea of walking to the summit of Parihaka Scenic Reserve to see the War Memorial at the top. We could see it from the campsite so didn't think it too far away!
A tough climb took us to the summit where we enjoyed views across Whangarei.
The thought of bbq sausages for dinner helped us on our way back down!

L & R x

The Bay of Islands

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

On our way to Russell we decided to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. A great morning.
We watched a very informative film about the sighning of the treaty and then looked around the grounds including the Maori Meeting House- Whare Runanga, the Treaty House and the Flagpole (where the treaty is believed to have been signed).
Whare Runanga, completed in 1940 to mark the centenary of the treaty, was a particularly impressive building. It is covered in fine wood carvings representing the major Maori tribes.
We also saw the 35m war canoe- the oldest in NZ.

After lunch we drove on to Russell.
Arrived late afternoon so walked into town, along the bay and to Christ Church- the oldest church in NZ. Also popped into the Department of Conservation to find out more about Russell.

Sun 17th February: Russell
Got up early this morning and did a short, but steep, walk to the top of Flagstaff Hill. Fantastic views overlooking Russell. We then enjoyed a coffee/hot choc in a cafe overlooking the harbour.
In the afternoon we relaxed on Long Beach and had a swim in the sea. :-)



L & R x

Waipoua Kauri Forest & Ninety Mile Beach

(Which, coincidently, is nearer to 52 miles!)

"The journeys we take are often more rewarding than the destinations themselves"
This is certainly true for the day we drove to Ninety Mile Beach. Although the beach was lovely our journey through the Waipoua Kauri Forest was amazing. This superb forest sanctuary is the largest remnant of the once-extensive Kauri forests of Northern NZ and definitely had the WOW factor. We took the opportunity to do a few short walks in the forest.
The first took us to the 'Four Sisters'- a graceful stand of 4 tall trees clumped together.
The second walk was to 'Te Matua Ngahere' (The Father of the Forest). This Kauri tree has a trunk girth of over 5m in diameter- the widest in NZ. It had to be seen to be believed!
Our final walk was to 'Tane Mahuta' (Lord of the Forest). This Kauri tree is the largest in NZ boasting an incredible height of 51.5m!!!

We drove on past Hokianga Harbour and the spectacular sand dunes and onto Rawene to get the car ferry across to Kohukohu.
Cooked a wonderful snapper fish dinner on the bbq. :-)

L & R x

Matakohe

After a fabulous cooked breakfast we headed on to Matakohe- briefly stopping at the historic village of Puhoi for coffee.
Spent the afternoon in the Kauri Museum, Matakohe, learning about the mighty Kauri Tree, its gum and pioneering settlers in NZ.
We also visited the Post & Telegraph Office, the Pioneer Church and School.
Brilliant.

Next destination: Ninety Mile Beach.

L & R x

Waiuku

Wed 13th Feb- up early and headed to Waiuku to meet up with some freidns -Lynda and Chris.
A lovely afternoon. We drove along the peninsula and stopped at Awhiti beach. Had a paddle in the sea before going onto Manukau Heads Lighthouse- Auckland's highest and most remote lighthouse.
Fabulous views across Manukau Harbour and the Tasman Sea. We then went on to Grahams beach before heading back to Lynda and Chris' home in Waiuku.
Enjoyed a delicious meal and relaxed in their outdoor jacuzzi. A wonderful evening.

L & R x

P.S. Thank you to Lynda and Chris for looking after us. ;-)

Waihi Beach

Arrived at the campsite at lunchtime so we had the whole afternoon to relax- stroll along the beach, swim in the pool, relax in the spa and read. Lovely.
The following morning, after a stroll along the beach, we set off for the densely forrested Coromandel Peninsula. A challenging but beautiful drive. After a couple of hours we stopped at the Hot Water Beach for lunch. This is where the thermal waters brew just below the sand infront of a rocky out-crop. Here, you can build yourself a hole in the sand and then relax in your own natural spa poo. Unfortunately, the tide was in so we had to make do with a walk along the beach and a paddle in the sea. No worries!

Further on we stopped at Hahei and did the 1-hour return walk to the magnificent Cathedral Cove with its famous gigantic limestone arch and stunning bays. We made it back to Max before the heavens opened!

We then decided to take a short cut to Coromandel Town along route 309...
An interesting 'route'- a VERY windy and unsealed road hidden amongst the forrest trees. Still- we arrived at our campsite in good time. :-)
Relaxed and enjoyed bbq sausages for dinner.
Our next destination is Waiuku, nr Auckland.

L & R x

Rotorua

Due to poor weather conditions we decided to go to the museum on the morning of Sun 10th Feb. Spent most of the morning there. Really interesting to learn about the history of Rotorua.

Some facts for you:-
1) In the early part of last century it wasn't the All Blacks or the Kiwi that NZ was famous for- it was Rotorua's Bath House (now the museum)
2) A major volcanic eruption in 1886 of Tarawera Mountain was one of the worst natural disasters NZ has ever experienced. It destroyed the pink and white terraces- once described as the eighth wonder of the world
3) Rotorua is NZ's most dynamic thermal area
4) The first settlment in Rotorua was in the 14th century
5) Despite the rotten egg odour (sulphur from the thermal pools) Rotorua is one of the most visited spots on the North Island

Enjoyed a wander around and lunch in the city.
I had a WONDERFUL massage in the evening. :-)

Unfortunately, due to the over-priced spas, our very tight budget and the bad weather we decided to move on the following morning to Waihi Beach.

L & R x

Waitomo

After a relaxing morning in New Plymouth we headed to Waitomo.
Arrived at our campsite early evening and enjoyed a dip in the hot spa before another bbq dinner.

The following morning Ruth and I did seperate cave tours.
I walked to the Waitomo Caves and then had a guided tour around the caves. The best part of the tour was a 20 min boat journey through the glowworm caves- looking up to see hundreds of glowworms- their lights twinkling like stars in a midnight sky. Breathtaking.
Ruth was a little more adventurous and went for the 'Black Labyrinth Tour'- a caving and tubing experience.
Donned in a wetsuit, boots and hard hat she went down into the depths of the Ruakuri Caves- her bottom sqeezed into an inner tube! The caving experience involved floating and hiking into the caves and leaping backwards off waterfalls as well as seeing the glowworms. An experience she'll never forget.
I met her afterwards for warm bagels and hot tomato soup before we drove to Rotorua.

L & R x

Egmont National Park & Mount Taranaki

Shortly after leaving Wanganui we spotted the imposing Mount Taranaki.
This was our next destination.
Arrived in Egmont National Park and enjoyed our lunch before setting off up the Holly Hut Path towards the summit.

Taranaki itself is a dormant volcano that resembles Japan's Mt. Fuji and dominates the province. Experts say it's long overdue for another eruption. Luckily it wasn't today!
A very steep walk starting from North Egmont Visitor Information Centre- about 2 hour return taking us 1200m up the face of the mountain. Took some fab photos.

On our return we enjoyed a wander around the displays at the Visitors Centre.
We then drove to New Plymouth.

L & R x

Tongariro National Park

Arrived in Ohakune late afternoon and enjoyed bbq steak and Greek salad for dinner. :-)
The following morning was 'Waitangi Day' (NZ's National Day- celebrating the treaty of Waitangi- 6th Feb 1840) so much of Ohakune was closed!
Luckily for us we had planned to do a walk.
We drove up the Ohakune Mountain Road through Tongariro National Park and did a 1 and a half hour walk to the Waitonga Falls, taking in spectacular views of the southern face of Mount Ruapehu.
A brilliant morning.
Driving back through the National Park we set off for Wanganui.
Found a lovely Irish cafe for 'afternoon tea' before settling in at our campsite...

L & R x

Taupo

After a relaxing evening in Taupo we set off early on the morning of Tuesday 5th February and headed to the Waitako River (NZ's longest river). There we did a fabulous 2-hour walk to the spectacular Huka Falls.
These falls are created as a result of the fast flowing Waitako River being slammed into a narrow chasm which makes the 10m drop into a surging pool.
As we crossed the footbridge we experienced the full force of this torrent which the Maori call 'Hukanui'- Great Body of Spray (see page 307 of 2006 ed. of Lonely Planet for further details!)
Stopped by Lake Taupo for lunch before driving to Ohakune...


L & R x

Napier

Arrived in Napier late Sunday afternoon and settled into the campsite.
We spent the following morning in the town of Napier. A fantastic place.
It was rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive earthquake which destroyed most of its commercial heart. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a variety of buildings in the style of Art Deco in such a concentrated area. Did a brilliant Art Deco historical walk.
Enjoyed our usual coffee/hot choc before driving to Taupo in the afternoon.....

L & R x
P.S. Ruth had a drastically short hair cut!

The North Island- Wellington

The crossing
A stunning drive along the top of South Island from Nelson to Picton along the edge of two Sounds- Pelorus and Queen Charlotte.
We stopped for a coffee in Picton before boarding the ferry. A good 3-hour journey through the Queen Charlotte Sound and the Cook Strait into Wellington.
Arrived at our campsite just outside Wellington and enjoyed a barbeque dinner and free spa. :-)

Sat 2nd February- a busy day in Wellington.
Got the bus into the city centre and visited 'Te Papa'- NZ's National Museum. Fantastic insight into the story of NZ and all who live here.
We then got the cable car to the top of the Botanical Gardens. Fab views overlooking Wellington. Enjoyed our picnic lunch in the park before walking back through the park and historic cemetery back into the city.
An interesting wander around the city observing people in various fancy dress costumes to celebrate NZ International Sevens tournament currently taking place. Some very colourful characters!

Off to Napier tomorrow.....

L & R x