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We left Hobbiton and headed for a highly recommended hang gliding site on the west coast just south of Auckland called Kariotahi. It was not flyable but we got to see the Tasman sea for the first time and got to see one of the favorite Kiwi pastimes of driving cars and ATV’s on the beach.
We headed north of Auckland that afternoon on our quest to the far north of the north island.
We had some names of places to head to and were vaguely heading to the Tawharanui Reserve. (thanks Chris) After being just a little lost during a brief rain shower we asked “Siri” the Apple Mac Wonder voice. The way she directed us took us almost there but told us we had destinated when we obviously had not. We went a little further to turn round and found a beautiful park right next to the water where camping was allowed, so we parked the camper went for a walk around the bay and stayed there the night.

The next morning Debbie navigated us to the Tawharanui Reserve where we went for a nice hike out to the headland and learnt a lot about Kiwis and other native birds. They have camping here that looks great and we will stay here on our way south if the timing is right.

Heading north again we headed for Waipu just south of Whangerei where we had heard about some caves with glow worms.

We did not venture very far in but we did stay long enough for our eyes to adjust and see some glow worms. Pretty interesting, like looking at the night sky inside a cave.

Further north in Whangerei we met up with some hang glider pilots at the Clapham Clock Museum which had an amazing collection of clocks. Herman and Guntram took us to their local site but flying was not to happen again that day as the wind was the wrong direction and gusty but as you can see it would be a beautiful place to fly.

Heading north again we stopped the night in Whananaki at a DOC campground at a beach at the end of the road. Some children had obviously had a grand day building rafts and things.

The town of Russell in the Bay of Islands was on our agenda where we learnt some interesting history about New Zealand at the museum.

After Russell we had a campsite booked at Arola Island reserve. This was an amazing place where we camped beneath a P……. Tree next to the water complete with a swing.

The highlight was taking a night tour with one of the islands caretakers and sighting a 30 year old Kiwi and a Kiwi chick (a rare sighting because this is the first time they have had chicks born there). (No pictures available as it would scare them off)

Continuing north we stopped for the night at Puheke beach on the far north of the Karikari peninsula. This miles long beach was deserted and we had a wonderful evening there exploring the nooks in the rocks and relaxing.