Kaipara Harbour Cruise

Today we went for a cruise in the Kaipara harbour.  It is the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere and is an hours drive from Whangarei on the west coast.

We left from Pahi and travelled along the Arapaoa and Otamatea Rivers

 This is the old Pahi boarding house built back in the days when kauri trees reached down to the water's edge.  The dense forests were all milled and disappeared.

Across the river from Pahi is Whakapirau.  The old wharf and dairy factory.

Our friends Jo and Allister

Jo and Elaine

Batley, a historic homestead, once part of a thriving community.

Chilling on the river

We stopped for a drink on the drive home at a pub called the Thirsty Tui.

Waiheke Island

For a change we didn't travel by bus or campervan - just by car (and ferry).  We went to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.  We stayed in a little back in the bush with a beach view and a beachy vibe.

We went for a walk in the late afternoon the first day, walking around the point from Blackpool to Surfdale.

The next morning we walked the Owhanake Bay and Matiatia Bay loop, having lovely views of the Gulf and looking at the flash houses we passed.

Sculpture beside the track

Matiatia Wharf

Next we strolled along some beaches.  This is Palm Beach...

...and this is Onetangi.

We had lunch at this vineyard...

...it had Gaudi-style mosaics and sculptures.

In the afternoon we did a bush walk to the cascades.

Before leaving for the ferry the next day we did another headland walk which then went beside a winery with this mural.  Then it was back to Auckland for lunch at the viaduct, then on to Whangarei.