Aukland and Waiheke Island -5th March
We decided to skip any tours around Aukland so took Air Link bus from airport to rail station Puhinui and then rail to Downtown Ferry terminal at Waitemata. Fullers360 do a ferry ride and get on/off bus ride around Waiheke Island called the Fullers360. It’s a short ferry ride over to the island which is well […]
Kauri Museum at Matakohe -4th March
We left the Wild Forest Hideaway to go to the excellent Kauri Museum at Matakohe. We then drove to Aukland to hand the car back at Apex Car Rentals at the airport and booked in to the Novotel hotel at the airport.
Trounson Kauri Forest, Kai Iwi Lakes Reserve -3rd March
We enjoyed the walk through the Trounson Kauri Forest and then moved on to Kai Iwi Lakes Reserve and swam in Lake Taharoa. The Reserve has beautiful white silicon sand and clear blue water and was a real find. Later, back at the cabin, Jackie had a massage on the deck. Traunson Kauri Forest Kai […]
Tane Mahuta tree, Kauri walk through the Kauri Forest to see Te Matua Ngahere – 2nd March
We left our delightful Hideaway at Donnellys Crossing and had a short journey to see the biggest tree in New Zealand, The Tane Mahuta and had an informative presentation from a local guide. He also sang a Maori version of ‘My Way’ ! We then did the walk through the Kauri Forest to see the […]
Hokianga Harbour, Rawena and spherical boulders at Koutu. Whaipoua forest and Donelly Cross. – 1st March
We checked out of Kerikeri and drove to Hokianga Harbour. We stopped at Rawena and took the return car ferry to Narrows Wharf. We had meal at The Boatshed and then found the spherical boulders at Koutu. They were interesting but not worth making a special trip – it was a useful break in our […]
Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Museum – 28th Feb
We visited The Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Museum which was excellent and toook about half d day to see most of it. We then took a look around Paihia which was quite commercial so we ended up under a tree on beach. We then had dinner at Kai Mata in Kerikeri. The Waitangi Treaty The […]
Rainbow Falls and Fairy Pools – 27th Feb
We had a relaxing morning and then went to The Plough and Feather in the Kerikeri Basin Reserve for lunch. It’s a lovely quiet spot. Whilst there we had a look around The Old Stone Store, Kemp House and Gardens, Te Waimate Mission House and Te Ahurea which is a reconstruction of a fishing village. […]
Te Ngaere Bay and Rainbow Warrior monument at Matauri Bay – 26th Feb
We drove from Kerikeri to take a beach swim at Te Ngaere Bay which was deserted. We then moved on to take a look at The Rainbow Warrior monument at Matauri Bay. It was fascinating to learn about the demise of Rainbow Warrior by the French who blew a hole in her hull! We returned […]
Russell and KeriKeri – 25th Feb
We reluctantly left The Hideaway to drive to La Petite Farme at Kerikeri. Again, we took the scenic coast road which goes via Russell Rd. Russell Rd is basically an 8km gravel track with steep drops either side – average speed about 20 km/h! We later found that it is not a route recommended for […]
Mangawai Heads – 24th Feb
We spent a great time at Mangawai Beach which had great sand, clear water and breakers on which people were surfing. We had to move on and found a great little place called The Hideaway which had the best facilities that we had come across on our trip. The following morning we took a local […]