Auckland to Whangarei

#newzealand #travel #adventure

Well it’s been just over a week now since we landed in New Zealand. We’re still getting accustomed to how quiet it feels here, it seems more so than on my previous trips, due to the complete contrast coming from Vietnam, where it was so busy.

The first few days were spent in an airb&b in a suburb of Auckland called Parnell, it’s a great area just outside the main city, but close enough for good transport links in to the city centre. We spent a few days just trying to catch up with some sleep and get ourselves organised really, (we had turned up at Auckland airport with no NZ dollars and no place to stay). Inbetween getting a camper organised and trying to get our bikes through customs (no, they still aren’t with us yet, thanks to the NZ customs trying to charge us import tax and making a big deal out of the forms etc) we spent a few days just chilling out in the city.

Auckland Harbour…Auckland is also known as the City of Sails

We had dinner down by the harbour a few times and did a little walking tour of the city, as described by the Lonely Planet guide book. We visited the Auckland Art Gallery and checked out some of the sights, including these amazing tiles, telling the story of New Zealands women being the first in the world to get the vote.

It seems everywhere you go in the city you get a clear view of the Sky Tower.

Standing underneath the Sky Tower

University Clock TowerInside the Britomart train station at night

We spent a lovely afternoon on Rangitoto Island, enjoying a guided tour of this dormant volcano, from a nice old boy called Bob. The volcano last erupted 600 years ago and it was interesting to see how the landscape is changing due to plant life taking over. The island is also a wildlife sanctuary and they are understandably strict about what you carry over to the island.

The following morning, bike-less (temporarily! :bloke), we picked up our camper and headed north. Now it really felt like our holiday was getting started. After some deliberation we opted for a motorhome rather than a campervan. Time will tell whether we made the right choice I guess, but so far so good. We drove to Orewa, not far out of Auckland and pitched up for a couple of nights, just to get sorted really. We wanted to get used to our new home and we needed to get it kitted out and buy some supplies.

Down on the beach we hired a couple of Stand up Paddle Boards (SUPS) and gave that a go. I’ve tried it before but it was the blokes first go (I used to do kayaking when I was a kid so can paddle a bit, but standing is an unlearned skill :bloke). I’m not sure that trying it in the sea first off was the best thing to do but hey…. I struggled with my knee being a pain – even with my brace on. Bloke had more luck, but there was definitely more swimming than supping going on, we both need lots (and lots :bloke) more practise and I’ve suggested a nice flat lake or river (car park? :bloke) for the next attempt.

Not a bad view for our first night in the camper

After two days at Orewa, it was time to move on. We packed up camp, got to grips with all the emptying of various tanks and remembered to unplug the electric hook up before driving off and hit the road. As you may have gathered, we are first time motorhomers. We’ve both camped before, but only out of tents or a VW camper, never with electric hook up, running water or a toilet (actually, my parents kept a very tasteful, modern caravan. Nr. Southwold – they aren’t pikeys or out. :bloke).

The plan was to travel on to Whangarei, stopping at Matakana on the way, for brunch. That we duly did, I love Matakana, I’ve been there before with my parents a few years ago now. Sadly the market wasn’t on today, that was very cool last time, but the place still has a nice vibe to it. We chilled out by the river with a breakfast burrito and a coffee each.

The walk to the waterfalls in Matakana village

Back on the road again the bloke decided to stop at our first brown sign of the holiday. For those of you who have never been to New Zealand, the brown signs telling you of landmarks or places of interest are always exciting. I’m pretty sure you could spend a year travelling round both islands just stopping at these signs. I’ve never been disappointed by one yet, and yesterday was no exception.

We left the main Highway 1 and headed off in search of our surprise of the day. At least half of this detour was off tarmac, another first for the new home. It handled it remarkably well. 13km later we pulled up outside Waipu Caves and WOW, what a find! This place was amazing, you could get quite far into the Caves, further so if you had the appropriate footwear to wade through the water, sadly we didn’t, but it didn’t lessen the enjoyment. The rock formations were beautiful and the amount of glow worms was incredible, sadly we couldn’t get any pics of them (tried, but an iPhone just doesn’t cut it in very low light :bloke).

After exploring the Caves, we set off to do the trail walk, up and over the Caves, to a look out. It was a really nice walk and took about an hour and a half, there and back, but still really nice.

Feeling pretty bloody chuffed with our #brownsign adventure of the day, we headed off on the road to Whangarei (pronounced “fan-gah-ray” :bloke) again and pitched up at the next campsite. After enquiring after the nearest place to get some food, (we’d bought some basic supplies with us only), we were told that the local Thai restaurant is the best in Whangarei. Who were we to argue with that, so off we went to check it out. It was pretty damn good and they even had Chang lager. Result! After only one week, I’d realised how much I had missed the food in Indo-China, Cambodia especially, it was my food heaven. It did feel quite odd having our first Thai meal without the team around us though.