Ngawha Hot Pools

Leaving Awanui we drove past Taipa to Cable Bay, where we walked along the beach. There were sandy areas and rock pools.

Back in Kaeo we returned to the Mad Hatter cafe...

...then had a fossick in the antique/second hand/book shop.

I would need a lot of time here, which we didn't have, so will have to revisit another time.

Final stop on our tiki tour - Ngawha Hot Springs. This pool complex has been upgraded since our last visit a few years ago.

There were many small pools of differing temperature. Traditionally, as well as relaxing, the pools were known to have healing properties. The water in some pools was black, in others green. Temperatures were from 30-40 degrees.

 

Mainly Mangonui

First thing this morning we wandered around the jetty at Totara North. Everything was very tranquil.

Next stop was Mangonui, another harbour nearby. Mangonui has just had a new boardwalk and jetties built.

Can't go past a good cafe. This was the Little Kitchen, in one of Mangonui's old buildings.

We decided to walk a track around the Rangikapiti Peninsula and up to the pa site.  We turned at the police station...

...and made our way around another arm of the harbour...

...to the start of the track.

The summit had amazing views up and down the coast.

The track went through shady native bush, also with good views.

More local humour.

We were feeling pretty hot so were happy to find this ice cream shop.

In the afternoon we drove to Awanui where we walked around the old graveyard at this church, established in the early 1800s.

 

To Totara North

First stop on our way north from Kerikeri was Kaeo. This was an early colonial settlement and has some interesting old buildings.

Far north humour.

Coffee stop at the Mad Hatter's Cafe.

We parked the bus at a freedom camping area at Totara North...

later I went for a walk...

...that's St Paul's at Whangaroa, across the harbour.

Some swamp kauri outside the Gumdiggers pub.

Further down the harbour there was a museum but it was closed. Lots of old machinery and murals outside though.

 

Hundertwasser Arts Centre

We didn't have to wander too far to visit the Hundertwasser building at Whangarei's Town Basin last week. This post is for family and friends overseas as most NZers know about the building and the man.

The building is Hundertwasser's last design. Most of his buildings are in Europe but he lived in Northland for the last part of his life. It is built without straight lines, with many recycled materials and with a living roof.

This ramp leads to the cafe that looks down on the yachts in the basin.

Part of the exterior that faces the road.

Looking down from the cafe.

Carving at the entrance to the interior, where the galleries are.

View from the road.

Inside the toilets.

Aqua Cafe. There's also a terrace.

In the Wairua Gallery. It showcases Maori art.

Part of the Hundertwasser exhibition. It tells his life story and has tapestries, posters, original artworks, photographs, models....

There are mosaics everywhere.

An example of Hundertwasser's environmental posters.

View from the rooftop garden.

Inside the cupola. This is his yacht. He lived aboard for 10 years and sailed to New Zealand.

Part of the rooftop garden.

We were the first people through the door on opening day. It totally lived up to expectations. A must visit for New Zealanders.

 

Exploring the Kaipara part two

Next stop, the next day, Ruawai, where the Wairoa River meets the Kaipara Harbour. We walked a bit along the stopbank then had coffee and explored the town.

Next stop Tokatoka, a volcanic plug shaped like a perfect cone. There were 360 degree views from the summit.

This is the 'smile!' pic...

...this is me climbing up the very steep last bit with the bus down on the road.

Tokatoka in the background after we were safely back down and on the road to Dargaville.

Had lunch in Dargaville and a walk around before heading back home.