Taupo to Cape Reinga, NZ and back.

Pt 3: Wellsford to the Kai Iwi Lakes

Jan - Mar 2012 we travelled with friends, Chris and Kev, from Te Anau, for 8 weeks from Taupo to Cape Reinga and back to Auckland.  Following are some of the pics and places where we stayed and visited.  Enjoy the journey with us

The Kauri Museum at Matakohe is a 'must stop'. 

There and a great many outstanding displays depicting the age of Kauri milling.

All the models used in the displays are fashioned from local people.

On the road from Matakohe to Dargaville you pass a well known landmark called Toka Toka.  That's the pointy one in the distance.

The challenge was to climb Toka Toka to see the view and find the geocache at the top.  This view is to the North with the Wairoa rive in the background.

This pic gives an idea of how high.  In almost the centre of the pic at the edge of the bush you can just make out the two motorhomes, 'Dora' and 'The Italian Job.  This view is to the East.

A similar view to the above pic looking more to the Sou-East.  Again you can see the motorhomes.  Certainly wouldn't like to make the steep climb after some rain.  Yes we did find the geocache.

A night in Dargaville and a geocache or two and it was off to the Kai Iwi Lakes.

Via a short stop at Bayleys Beach for lunch.

After a bit of a stroll on the beach.

To the Kai Iwi Lakes for a few nights.

A swim at the Lakes was very refreshing. 

With a nice fish around 4LB spinning. Well done Kev.

And one a bit smaller fly fishing.

For Pt 4 we'll continue from the Kai Iwi Lakes up the Kauri Coast to Opononi.

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.