Auckland, Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga

On Monday, March 5 the highly anticipated day had finally come – we were to meet up with Kris (Adrian’s friend) and Nathan (Adrian’s brother) in Auckland and soon begin our traveling! We flew from Christchurch to Auckland and before long we were catching up with the guys over a few drinks on the hostel patio. While we were there, we also enjoyed some free wifi time (which is very rare to find) and met other guests there including Georgina from Leeds, Craig from Essex, and Alex from Australia. The next day was just getting the guys set up with SIM cards and working out travel plans. Luckily the guys were able to get a version of our travel pass so we could travel the majority of the North Island together. By Wednesday we were off traveling! Our first stop - Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Day 1 – Auckland to Paihia

After a late night of more catch-up and drinks, it was an early morning, catching the bus at 7:45am. We made a few stops around Auckland picking up people from other hostels and in the process we met everyone that sat around us, in the back where all the cool kids sit ;)

Our first stop was at the Parry Kauri Park where we had a photo op with an 800-year old McKinney kauri tree. Soon after, we had a much-needed coffee stop in Warkworth.

The four of us under the McKinney kauri tree

 Our second stop of the day was at the Goat Island Marine Reserve, near Leigh. Here we got a 45-min glass-bottom boat ride around the reserve and saw fish such as snapper and moka. The weather could have been better but it was still a nice experience.

The two of us on the glass-bottom boat trip

Panorama of Goat Island Marine Reserve

The third stop was at the Native Bird Recovery Centre in Whangarei (birthplace of Keith Urban). This is where we got to see a real live Kiwi (bird as opposed to the person or fruit), a funny looking bird with huge feet that pooped on Nathan, a hawk and a talking Tui.

Kiwi bird

Taken just before this little guy pooped in Nate's hands

When we arrived in Paihia we stayed at Pipi Patch and got a “classic Kiwi bbq” for $7. It was a pretty good meal for that price that included steak, sausage, roast potato, green salad, coleslaw and bread. We also got a free drink voucher for the night so we spent the night having a few drinks with friends we met on the bus – a couple from England, another girl from England and two guys from Laguna Beach.

Day 2 – Paihia to Cape Reinga and back

It was another early morning, catching the bus at 7:15am which unfortunately didn’t actually show up until 7:30am. And on top of that, our first improve stop was in Kerikeri to switch buses because our windows were fogging up too much because of the rain and moisture in the bus. But eventually we were on our way. Our first real stop was at the Gumdiggers Park. This area has fallen Kauri trees, one as old as ~150,000 years. There was a bit of a walking tour to learn the history of the area, the work and where the term “gum boot” came from.

The fallen stump beside the bridge is ~150,000 years old

A fence full of old gum boots outside the Gumdiggers Park

Our next stop was Cape Reinga which is one of the most northern part of New Zealand you can go. From here you can look out and see the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean clashing. It’s also an important part of the Maori culture- they believe this is the jumping point for Maori souls back to their spiritual homeland Hawaiki. The weather had cleared up a bit so we had a bit of a view and got decent pictures with the lighthouse, distance signpost and the seas. 

The four of us at the lighthouse

Distance signpost

Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean clashing behind Adrian

From there we went to the 90-Mile Beach, which should technically be called the 70-mile beach because of Captain Cook’s miscalculation. Here was the highlight of the trip where we got to do some dune surfing. We borrowed some boogie boards and climbed a huge sand dune. It was kind of like tobogganing but in the summer. Kris and Nathan decided to go tandem the last run down and actually made it most of the way, pretty entertaining for the whole group. (Unfortunately I still need to get these photos from some friends who took some for us)

After dune surfing, we drove along the beach which was a drive to remember, Adrian’s favourite part of the day. At this point we had pretty much finished our trip. We stopped at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom on the way back, also where the bus driver cleaned his bus. We also stopped in Mangonui for some fish and chips which were probably the best ones we have had so far in NZ (Fish and chips and meat pies are dishes NZ is most known for)

Us with Louise and Paul eating fish and chips

Look what Adrian landed at the Mangonui Fish Shop!

By the time we got back, we had new roommates so we hung out with them- a brother and sister from Toronto and a guy from Switzerland.

Day 3 – Paihia to Auckland

There’s not too much to write about this day. We got a somewhat sleep-in having to check-out at 10am. The weather wasn’t very good again today so it wasn’t motivating to do too much. And it’s really unfortunate because the Bay of Islands is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in NZ. 

I decided to explore a bit so I went and walked along the beach that separates Paihia and Waitangi, walked around a local marae (Maori meeting house) and ventured to the Treaty Grounds. Unfortunately there was a fee to look around the Grounds so I saw the front but wasn’t willing to pay to see the rest. 

Structure at the marae

4pm came around and we hopped on the bus. The only stops we took on the way back were essential stops to use the toilets (not washrooms, toilets here) and continue on our express route back to Auckland.

Once we arrived in Auckland, we checked back into the same hostel we stayed at last time, got some supper and hung out with the same people we met a few days ago.

Craig's arms, Louise, Paul, me, Adrian, Kris, Georgina, Nate