North Island Odysseys
Northland province
North Island Odysseys
Day 1; Highlights
Riverside walk to Broadwalk canopy walk in protected native bush glade with stream to 26 metre high waterfall. Headland walk visiting two glorious beaches, swims.
If picked up from Whangarei Dent st. Intercity bus stop or airport,
2) 10 minutes drive to Mair park. Walk an well established trail alongside Hatea River through Native bush. 50 Minutes 2.6 kms to A H Reed Memorial Park,
Memorable Kauri and stream park. 45 Minute 2.1 km. well established walk With a canopy boardwalk through mature 600 year old native Kauri trees. The board walk is about a third the height of the mature trees so you experience trees in three dimensions.
Take time to forest bath in the sheltered fresh forest and appreciate the serenity and fresh atmosphere. Native bush forestry was the main European industry of Northland.
3) The walk ends at the twenty six meter high Whangarei waterfall.
Fresh water swim option. I drop you off at the start of the walk and pick you up at the waterfall.
Sandwiches and piece of fruit. Like each lunch.
Supermarket visit before or after the walk for your personal snacks, toiletries and drinks.
Drive 40 mins east towards Tutukaka coast. Voted by National Geographic as one of the three best coast lines in the world. And the only warm weather one lol.
Drive past Tutukaka marina, where world class big game fishing and Poor Knights Islands marine reserve snorkelling or scuba diving, trips leave from.
Arrive at beach camp ground, probably Matapouri beach. Set up tents and beds. Enjoy the beach and estuary.
4) Matapouri headland walk including view stops and visit to secluded Whale bay. 2 hours.
As with all meals those participating in dinner preparation from 1730.
From the start of preparation until the last dish is cleaned and put away.
5) Welcome drinks on me, alcoholic and non alcoholic.
Most nights there is the option of private bach (beach house) or motels or local homes self booking at your expense. Or ask me for assistance to source. I will take you to your accommodation within a ten minute drive and pick you up in the morning as we leave.As with all time set aside for activities. All optional. Please let me know your intentions asap in advance.
North Island Odysseys
Day two Highlights
Local beauty walks and water sports, fishing, world renowned snorkeling or diving or float down or up estuary, boogie boarding, chill out at beach day, collect shell fish to eat. BBQ
Days 1, 2, 3 and 4 listed highlights may be on the day before or after.
Possible activities, some best to prebook. Some of which may be included in the first day if an early enough pick up from Whangarei.
1) From nearby Tutukaka Marina book or prebook a world class day of snorkelling paddleboarding from $255 adults, $149 children 15 and under or $355 diving from large commercial boats at Poor Knights islands. A world renowned marine sanctuary. Twenty three Kilometres off shore from Tutukaka marina. Here subtropical and cool water currents meet bringing a huge variety of marine life. Truly amazing experience in the blue green pacific. As there is no mainland water runoff. The sea is very clear water. You can see up to thirty metres underwater.
2) Or pre book a place on a shared world class big game fishing boat for big game, Marlin. Outside the marine reserve of course lol.
Or book a place on a boat to target smaller fish. From 200$ for five hours fishing.
Tag and release game fish please, no room for marlin in the vehicle lol. Please bring smaller fish back for cooking.
I can drop you off at Tutukaka marina, a 10 minute drive and I pick you up at the end of the trip.
3) Float both up and down from late high tide. If floating both ways then be prepared to chill out on your boogie board in the mangroves for thirty minutes while you await tide to ebb.
4) Chill out on the beach, probable free use of boogie boards, stand up paddle boards and sea kayak if staying within the inner bay.
5) Book a guided horse trek from 9am to 11am, Sandy bay. I can drop off and pick up. Weight restricted to 90 kgs. One hour from $127 per person, You can book longer.
6) Join locals jump off the centre of the bridge into the estuary just after High Tide swim down the estuary to the surf past native bush.
7) On low tide those that want fresh foraged seafood “pipis” fritters next morning assist with digging in the estuary sand.
8) Visit the only local dairy (small food shop) buy non alcoholic drinks, snacks and icecreams and sit outside, engage the friendly locals in conversation.
North Island Odysseys
Day 3 Highlights
Breathtaking sheltered warm water East Coast beaches, watching fishermen and surfers, limestone formations; walking round lake, views of Bay of Island, walking to waterfalls. Possible scenic railway, Glowworm cave or boat trip.
Assuming leave Matapouri beach by 9am campground after breakfast and hot drinks 5 minute drive.
1) Stop after five minutes at Woolley bay for five minutes viewing. Five minutes drive to Sandy bay
2) Sandy Bay, Possibly watch drone fishing and surfers,
3) Drive 30 mins inland through regenerating native bush and farm land to Waro fascinating limestone rock formations. Possible 45 minute walk around lake and limestone formations, swim in fresh water lake. Drive 30 Minutes to Kawakawa.
Kawakawa. Possible you paying options. See links page for prices and information.
4A) Kawati glowworm caves. A 200 metres underground boardwalk with a mesmerising glowworm display. (Avoid while there is a cruise ship in dock)
4B) Or Bay of islands open top scenic railway trip. 2 hour scenic railway journey by river.
4C) Or Drive to Paihia for a boat trip within the Bay of Islands. Aim to arrive back in Paihia by approximately 6pm. Lets discuss logistics, then best to prebook your boat trip.
Minimum 4 A, B or C two people per optional activity for drop off and pick up. Someone else might want to join a solo traveller 🙂
4D) Or drive to local look out points 2 minutes north of Paihia for a viewpoint over Bay of Islands. Then I drop you and start you on a walking track opposite the Piahia Waitangi treaty ground to Hararua waterfall. Leisurely flat 6km one and half hour or so one way flat established Waitangi Hararua waterfall track walk. Through mangroves,bush and farm land. Crossing estuary on boardwalk and foot bridge. To arrive at Hararua waterfall where you can swim downstream from the waterfall. I pick up from the waterfall car park where a five minute walk and swim is on offer.
5) Drive 30 minutes to Kerikeri Rainbow falls. Option of either walking one hour from historic town centre up river or a three minute walk in from the car park with extra optional walking down river.
6) Stunning rolling rural landscape drive from, Kerikeri to Manginangina forest campground. 30 minutes. Possibly Day 3 or day 4,
7) Where we camp or stay in motels depends on if you chose one of 4 A, B, C or D
North Island Odysseys
Day 4 Highlights
Exploring Boulder bush landscapes, Koutu sea boulders, Worlds second largest species of trees, the iconic Kauri trees in Waipoua forest on the west “Kauri Coast.”
1) Kauri Walk, Puketi Forest 20 minutes or
Manginangina Kauri bush formed walk. Leisurely 40 minutes.
2) NZ Pioneers village in Kaikohe. 90 minutes. Then 50 minute drive to
3) Koutu Boulders on the West Coast. Low tide permitting.15 minutes.
4) Arai te Uru Nature Reserve, looking out over West Coast and entrance to Hokianga harbour. 10 Minutes viewing, 15min drive to Tane Mohutu.
6) Tane Mohutu largest Kauri Tree in NZ 20 Mins,
10 minutes Slow drive south passing Darby and Joan Kauri Trees to Te Matu Ngahere.
8) Te Matua Ngahere second largest Kauri tree. 30 minutes return gentle walk.
9) 5 minute slow riverside Kauri bush scenic drive to Waipoua campground, possible overnight stay. Swim option in Waipoua river swimming hole surrounded by ancient Kauri forests.
If not staying in Waipoua campground or a local marae then 30 min drive to Department of Campground (DOC) Trounson Kauri park. Or other closeby campgrounds.
1800 onwards prepare dinner. Possibly an evening walk into Kauri forest to spot kiwis.
Day 5. Kauri Bush walk, riverboarding, river valley walk, waterfall, subtropical quarry garden
1) 8am 1 hour incl stops gently flat loop walk through Trounson Inland Island virgin ancient Kauri forest walk.
2) Walk down the Kaihu river to Ahikiwi. A 3km gentle walk following the river valley. 45 minutes. I pick you up at Ahikiwi. 1 hour 20 mins drive to Wairua falls
3) Wairua Falls, If there has been moderate rain. Five minutes
4) Subtropical Whangarai Quarry gardens with maintained lake, waterfall and bush walk wander or explore at your leisure or prebook 1 hour guided walking tour 15$. Golf cart tour 100$ for max 5.
Drop back to Intercity bus from central Whangarei, Dent st, opposite Pak n Save supermarket. 14.15 for the last daily intercity bus at 14.45 pm to Auckland.
Or by 1530pm for the second to last daily intercity bus to Kerikeri 1555 pm. Free airport drop offs by arrangement and by 1600 possible.