1. Maunganui Bluff.

After a 5-hour drive we headed straight up onto this bluff,
a remnant of an ancient volcano crater rim covered with lots
of flax and native bush. It was a hard half-day due to the
many ups and downs and sometimes hard-to-find track, but
rewarding us with beautiful views of the beachy coastline.
We camped at Kaweka Beach just before dark; part of the group
got separated and had to spend the night somewhere in the bush. 

















2. Hokianga Track.

With the group complete again we walked up to a road end
along the old coach beach access road, drove through the
Waipoua Forest and over a steep hill to reach the stunning
setting of Hokianga Harbour. What followed was a very nice
coastal walk past lava rocks, big waves, small rock pools
and nice beaches.













3. Tane Mahuta, Waipoua Forest.

Tane Mahuta, named after the Maori God of the Forest,
is the largest living kauri tree (conifer family) in New
Zealand at 51.5m high. He is estimated 1200 to 2000 years old.
This part of the coast of Northland is also known as Kauri Coast:
it has by far the largest number of these impressive trees that
survived the logging of the European settlers. They were in high
demand because of their thick, straight and branchless trunks:
from 100 years old the trees start to shed their bark and lower
branches. Semi-fossilised gum was dug out of the ground and used
for varnish. Maori used it in torches and the soot for tattoos.
Generations of kauri forests died (reason unknown) and were
buried in swamps to become 45.000 years later the world’s
oldest workable timber.













4. Cape Reinga.

We went on a bustour to the north tip of Northland where the
Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet and where according to Maori
legend the souls depart the earth. It’s the most sacred place
in NZ for Maoris, who still own most of the land here.

















5. Swamped car, Ninety Mile Beach.

Back to Kaitaia via Ninety Mile Beach that is actually
only 90km long. Normal cars also can drive on this as
road classified beach during low tide but can get unlucky!


















6. Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula.

On the bike we continued to Karikari Peninsula and
beautiful Matai Bay. It was the hottest day so far,but
still the water proofed to be quite cold while snorkeling.
The next morning we packed up and left the Department of
Conservation campsite in pouring rain and gusty winds.














7. Matauri Bay.

Following the coast line of Whangaparoa Harbour we stayed at
Matauri Bay on a typical Kiwi holiday beach park.
Of the coast are the nearby Cavelli Islands where the wreck
of the Rainbow Warrior has been sunk as a diving attraction.
A monument on a hill reminds of the French orchestrated bomb
attack on the flagship of Greenpeace in 1985, when it was about
to sail from Auckland to Moruroa to protest against the
French nuclear testing there.










8. Kerikeri.

Kerikeri was the second European settlement and has the
oldest surviving stone and wooden (kauri) building in NZ,
resp. built in 1836 and 1821.


















9. Treaty Grounds, Waitangi.

Near Waitangi village this flagstaff marks the spot where
on 6 February 1840 (now NZ's National Day) a treaty was
signed between the Maoris and the British. It guarantees
the rights of both people and although there is disagreement
in its interpretation it still is the basis of New Zealand
as a nation. On the Treaty Grounds are the former British
Resident’s (restored) house, a later built Maori meeting
house and the world’s largest canoe (35m long).












10. Russell, Bay of Islands.

This peaceful, pretty little place lies in the busy and
touristic Bay of Islands. It used to be called The Hell Hole
of the South because of the many convicts, prostitutes,
whalers and drunken sailors in the early days. The viewpoint
on Flagstaff Hill was scene of Maori resistence:
chief Hone Heke challenged the British by felling their
flagstaff up to 4 times in a row!

Let's go: