Day Three - Cambridge to Mokau

Blue skies returned for day three of our trip. First stop, Otorohanga...

...where we visited the Kiwi House and Native Bird Park. As well as birds there were lizards, skinks and tuatara (if you could spot them).

There were plenty of birds too...

Beside the Kiwi House was a carved gateway into a reserve with small lakes, which we explored before hitting the road again.

The scenery was very dramatic, especially through the Awakino Gorge. I snapped a few photos through the windscreen.

We parked overnight where the Gorge met the coast at Mokau, and explored the beach

Mount Taranaki hazy in the distance - the next day's destination.

 

Tiritiri Matangi Island

A group of us went over to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a wildlife sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf. Although it's autumn we had a lovely sunny, warm day. We caught the ferry from Gulf Harbour - it's about 20 minutes from there to Tiri.

The island is covered by native bush, except at the hilltop where there is a lighthouse and the old keepers houses. There's a shop here and an area to eat picnic lunch.

We took the guided tour, along a track from the jetty to the lighthouse area. After lunch we walked another track back to the beach. Along the way there were bird feeding stations and we also saw birds in the bush. Above is a bellbird.

Views across the Hauraki Gulf towards Auckland.

A tui feeding

Malcolm bird spotting

More bellbirds

A hihi

A bellbird singing

Malcolm and Allister on the track

Some of the group relaxing on the beach

A little blue penguin

Our group, plus a young guide

Drinks and dinner on the way home.