Christmas 2008/09 25/12 - 10/1

Batley, Okaihau, Houhora, Te Kao, Cape Reinga, Te Pua, Awanui, Taupo Bay, Russell, Manganese Point.

Some areas have featured in earlier posts. Images have been resized down. If you want full size pics of any please contact me.

Batley 25-29 Dec

Batley is at the end of the road out from Maungaturoto.Identified by a very large two storey villa that is still in the Roadley family with Rex and Rae. My daughter was married here earlier in the month.We were parked up over the hill, still on the farm, by the water. The following are some images that you might find interesting, there are more. A beach called The Pohutukawas is close to where we were parked.Life on an oyster farm is hard on machinery.

And vehicles.Memories of hard work.No the fence is not to keep the oysters in or the stingrays out!A lone sentinel waits for the next sunrise.

Okaihau 29-30Dec09
An earlier posts visits Okaihau however here are some more images of our one night stay

at the Fire Engine Museum POP.

On the way to the POP we passed a true country church.

The country folk are quite inqisitive.

Gregarious.

And enjoy their (water)sports.

Houhora, Te Kao, Cape Reinga, Te Pua 30Dec09

After the overnight stop at Okaihau our ultimate destination this day was Te Pua via Houhora, get the key at the Te Kao store, a quick visit to Cape Reinga and back to Te Pua.A quick stop for a photo opportunity at the top of the Maungamukas before dropping down to Kaitaia.After replenshing and refueling at Kaitaia we continued north past this church just out of Kaitaia.Next stop was Houhora for lunch down by the harbour.Just by the wharf.Where there were a number of fishing boats preparing to take advantage of the good weather. 

On the way to Cape Reinga we made a stop at the Te Kao store to pick up our key for Te Pua.

Due to poor conditions only one pic of Cape Reinga is included.

Te Pua 30Dec08 - 4 Jan09

Wilderness Te Pua, open spaces and derelict buildings.

We made it back with plenty of daylight to set up camp at Te Pua. 
The following a various images taken at the Te Pua Reserve.

Just before dawn looking out to the silicia sand hills.

Calm early mornings

and crystal clear waters.

The Te Pua beach front wanders for more than a kilometre.

A small wharf provide great fishing.  We dined on large piper a number of times.

The bounty of the sea included great harvests of cockles (shown) and pipi.

Magical sunsets were a great end to our six days at Te Pua. 

Don't you just love these signs! 

Awanui 4Jan09

From Tepua we were off to Taupo Bay via Awanui.

A quick stop at the cafe in Awanui was a welcome break to the days journey.

The view sitting outside the cafe was of the river

that although the tide was out was interesting.

The Following Are Passing Thru Pics.
Taipa, Mangonui, Taupo Bay, Russell and finally Manganese Point

Taipa bridge before Mangonui

Mangonui Wharf, ideal for kids fishing.

Taupo Bay beach looking south.

Taupo Bay beach looking north.

Haruru falls just before Paihia.

Ferry to Russell.

A great day for sailing.

Russell wharf.

Who says there's no free feed.

Original Russell church.

Manganese Point POP.

Beach on one side of the point.

Western side of the point.

Evening at Manganese Point.

Marsden Point by night.

From here next stop was home.  Join the next blog, Wentworth Valley Park, Whangamata 6-9 February 2009.

29 May-3 June QUEENS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Queens Birthday Weekend 2008
This is the last real long weekend for some time and we had decided to find our way up to Opononi for a few days. After overnighting Thursday night at Maungaturoto we passed through Dargaville.A town of early style houses and the gateway to travelling further north following the west coast.We lunched beside the Wairoa River sometimes called the upside down river as it is always very brown.Heading north to our destination took us through the picturesque Waipoua Kauri Forest.A must is a stop on the way through the Waipoua Kauri Forest.This stop is a must to visit that magnificent kauri lord of the forest, Tane Mahuta.The walk to Tane Mahuta is only some 5 minutes from the road through forest that has remained almost unchanged for thousands of years.Nothing quite prepares you for Tane Mahuta. An awesome sight, such an acient tree, 2000 years old and still growing.Read the sign.Continuing north, leaving the Waipoua Kauri Forest we eventually got our first view of the Hokianga Harbour where it meets the Tasman Sea,and looking up harbour where it reaches past Omapere, Opononi, Rawene and more.The motorcamp we stayed at in Opononi was just across the main road from the harbourand the beach where you can see the wharf in the distance.A short walk from where we were parked up was the Opononi wharf, and from the wharf you can see the local business.The local pub provided excellent coffee.After a few nights it was time to leave our park up spot at Opononi and work our way part way back home.First step on the journey home was to head to Rawene where the Rawene - Kohu Kohu ferry leaves from.Parked at the front of the ferry it was a short journey across the HokiangaPondering the ferry detailsArriving on the northern side in the rain found even the local wildlife taking some shelter.Leaving the ferry we headed for thge township of Kohu Kohu from which the ferry landing gets its name.A small town like many in New Zealand that recognises those it lost in both WW1 and WW2.From Kohu Kohu we planned to lunch at Paihia passing through Okaihau and Waimate North on the way. Of interest at Okaihau was the Fire Station museum.Where fire engines of all vintages are displayed and memorabilia from all ages and around the world are showcased.Next stop was Waimate Northand the historic church.It was an opportunity to visit the resting place of relations who were early settlers in the area.Lunch at Paihiaand after a brief stop at Kawa Kawa where the train line runs down the main streetand is the location of the famed Huddertwasser toiletThrough Whangarei our last night was at the DOC park of Uretiti BeachAn ocean beachthat stretches from Waipu in the south and north past Ruakaka to Marsden Point.Last stop on the way home was the Eutopia cafe at KaiwakaIt's well worth the stop if you have time, no make the time it's a place of interest not to be missed.What a great weekend that extended into five days.