Christmas & New Years Travel Plans

 

 

Oh and another cool thing to do if you've never surfed before or you want to have another go is the muriwau surf school at muriwai beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. You might want to buy a map at the start of your trip.

 

Its quite a paddle from Whakatane to Paihia   

 

hahaha, so true.

 

My hometown Dannevirke was Dannevegas waaaay before Rotorua.

Once passed Ak central, One Tree Hill views and the best chicken and chips around at the Noodle Box on Manakau Road at Greenwoods Corner etc;  stop for fish and chips on the Shore and turn right  head to one of the North Shore beaches;   try the "Autobahn" caf� just before Silverdale.  Again take a right for Whangaparaoa Pennisula and try to find Manly Beach, lots of units for hire, it's just passed the Warehouse and shopping centre.

Definitely use the toll road to Puhoi, as the scenery is spectacular.

Turn left and stop at Puhoi, for the German pub, or drive on for the cheese shop, or if in  a slow mood, the "tea rooms" on the right which does great home made pies, and looks out over the valley.  The owner might play a Clapton tune for you.  If you are heading West, SH16, turn off at Waimauku and head out the to Murawai Beach, but just tbefore you hit the coast turn left and find Maori Bay, with the giant waves, the very obvious remnants of an erupting volcano on the side of the hill, and a bit of fun with the hole in the rock.  Drive back over the hill to the gannet colony, and take pictures of the white surf going straight up the coast.  Pop down the hill for great fish and chips coffee etc.   If you are really into wine, stop and buy some on the way from local producers.  Wine tasting.  Some make a night of it with open fire, lamb roast and wine and stagger back to the room.

You might notice a food and scenery thing going on here.

 

If you are heading towards Dargarville, the Matakohe Musuem with giant tree trunks, kauri etc, go a bit further and find Baylys Beach , then the Kai Iwi Lakes for camping/cabins.

  Book for the night walk at Trounson Park Kauri Coast Holiday Park,  you will almost definitely see a live kiwi or two and lots of possums and even a fresh water crayfish way in land.

Whangarei, the Musuem is good for exhibits but the food is decent and over looks, the Harbour.

Try the lively Whangarei waterfront and then head out to the Whangarei Heads, or Ocean Beach, with white water surf.

 

Broken hillsides and lots of food.  That's the north island.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

 

 

There, got it out....