Coddiwomple Stardate 180111

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Left Raetihi on Saturday. The crossing was still closed. Back on another Stray bus with our driver Skippy then Motors joined us later. We arrived in Auckland 5.00pm with a 500m walk to our accommodation. Doesn’t sound far but it was all uphill. By the time we arrived we were both lathered in sweat. We couldn’t get on the Stray bus the following day to head north to the Bay of Islands so had to spend 3 nights in Auckland. Stray guarantee a booking the first night in Auckland for your accommodation but not the rest of the time you are staying. Being peak time Sharon booked in Raetihi before we arrived. We looked at the backpackers for a double room, but prices were high just for a room with shared facilities. Went onto hotels.com and found a serviced apartment in the CBD $20 a night cheaper than backpackers. We have a King bed, washing machine, dryer includes washing powder, kitchen, TV, towels and balcony with a view. It was even better priced than the Airbnb we were in when we first arrived in Auckland and we are closer to the city.

We have already spent 4 nights in Auckland when we arrived here in November. We struggled to find things to do this time.
On the Sunday I decided just to walk off in a random direction. Went through Ponsonby then headed towards Western Springs. After about 8km we caught a bus back into the CBD then walked through a few back streets to the Princess Wharf then on to Silo Park. The wharf area has a very Fremantle feel about it but the boats here are just dripping with wealth.

Auckland has a government run bus service that has 3 loop runs. They are CityLink (Red), InnerLink (Green) & Outerlink (Yellow). There are also private run buses going everywhere. Once again if you are here for a while buy their hop card.

From Silo Park we jumped on the CityLink bus back to the CBD it is only $1 per adult cash or 50c with a Hop card. Then back to the apartment feeling we hadn’t achieved much for the day.

That afternoon we spent hours trying to find something to do for the Monday. I didn’t want to go to another WW1 museum but relented so we could fill in a day. Went online to find info about the museum and found admission was $25 each so canned that idea to fill in a day. Only tourists must pay, Kiwis are free. With no plan for Monday we went to bed.

Monday morning finally decided to catch the OuterLink bus that would take us near One Tree Hill. Our driver gave us directions to the best entrance to the park he was correct. One Tree Hill is made up of 3 inactive volcanoes and has a working farm in the park. Lots of cows and sheep to be seen. One tree hill is only about 8km from CBD. Last time I was in Auckland I went to Mt Eden and thought that had great views and it must be the best mainly because of the amount of tour buses that go there. One Tree Hill has far better views and a much better maintained park. After here we walked to Mt Eden. Sharon did not see it last time. After another high accent we walked back to the apartment thoroughly happy with myself we found another fantastic place by just choosing a random destination.

Tuesday, it was on a small Stray bus to take us to Paihia with our driver Skippy who had driven us up from Raetihi. We stopped for a quick 20min walk around Parry Kauri Forest then on to Cap’n Bob’s backpacker. It was another accommodation we had to book ahead and ended up being a great choice. There is a balcony overlooking the bay with views over towards Russell as you are enjoying your beer.

Wednesday, we were with a tour company called Awesome to Cape Reinga a 490km and 12 hour round trip. Another walk in Kauri forests. There is only 2% remaining of the huge trees and with 800 years to mature I don’t see that percentage increasing in our lifetime. Then for a drive in the bus along 90-mile beach which is only 55 miles long. The beach is classed as a highway and the maximum of 100km/h applies. Once off the beach we headed for Cape Reinga the most northern part of New Zealand. This is where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet up in a very turbulent clash. It is also a very sacred area for the Maori people. This is where they believe souls go back to there homeland of Hawaiki (Hawaii) through the Pohutukawa tree which is on a small outcrop on the cape. Then onto sandboarding which I did. On our way back, we stopped for fish & chips in the town of Mangonui. The shop was on a small pier and another great location.

Wednesday, we caught the ferry across the bay to Russell. Russell is the oldest settlement in New Zealand. In the mid 1800’s it was classed by an Australian Governor as the most vilest place in the world. We had no idea what we were in for. It ended up being one of the prettiest towns we have seen so far. We walked up to Flagstaff hill to a magnificent view over the Bay of Islands. We heard lots of Kiwi birds here but still haven’t seen one. Then down to Waihihi Bay then Watering Bay before going down to Matauwhi Bay before crossing over to Oneroa Bay. Had a beer at The Duke of Marlborough the oldest licensed hotel in New Zealand before heading back to Paihia.










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