Northland – Kauri Forest

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 05 July 2012. Posted in New Zealand

Waipoua Forest

On our way back to Whangarei we visited Tane Mahute - the god of the forest. It is the biggest tree in New Zealand and with its 1500 years this kauri tree is about 51 m high. Pretty impressive and if you listen carefully you don’t here only the wind rushing through the leaves. Next to the four kauri sisters you could find a few other giants in the Waipoua forest.

How small we are and what do we actually know from the world?

Whangarei Heads

After hiking through the forest we drove back to Whangarei because we wanted to dive at the Poor Knights islands. Unfortunately I caught a massive cold and couldn’t equalize. What a bad timing since the tides, water and weather was just perfect – about 30 m vis was expected.

So we decided to spend another day at the Whangarei Heads to see how I would feel the next day. Micha was a bit angry with me since I really wanted to jump into 16 degree cold water, not listening to my body. But the next day I accepted that I had to stay out of the water and we cruised on to Auckland.

Northland – the tip

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 04 July 2012. Posted in New Zealand

Kaitaia -

In Kataia we just had a quick stop to get some information about Cape Reinga and the Ninty Mile Beach.

Cape Reinga

Meaning “underworld”, we arrived at the northern tip of New Zealand. The Maori believe that the spirit of the dead leave from here for the journey to Hawaika. The beautiful beaches on the way up and the Tasman Sea converging with the Pacific actually gave quite a spiritual experience.

Ninty Mile Beach

Micha was eager to drive on the Ninty Mile Beach but since the tides and the rented campervan didn’t allow it we just had a look at it. And it wasn’t actually so special, just a long, long beach. Climbing up the massive sand dunes which can become up to 143 m high gave us a feeling being in a desert. Funny when you realize you are actually at the ocean.

Kerikeri - Bay of Islands

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 03 July 2012. Posted in New Zealand

Bay of Islands – Some 150 islands are dotted in front of the coast here and you can’t imagine the view. At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where England and the Maoris signed a Treaty in 1840, we strolled around. The Maori Meeting House (Te Whare Runanga) with its carvings was impressive.

Kerikeri – We found Micha’s former work place – the Gibbys Campground and after a very wet sightseeing tour we bought ourselves some rain trousers. What use has a rain jacket if your pants get soaked? During the night it was pouring down and the wind rocker our campervan like a kids crib.

Whangaroa – After an amazing peninsula walk we climbed up the St. Pauls rock. After the heavy rain it was quite slippery and both of us ended up in the mud. We looked like little pigs but the trip was worth it.

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