Flew to Auckland and checked into a downtown hotel for two nights. Already, we miss the quiet places we’ve been staying. Installed the public transit app to figure out how to get out of town by bus and ferry for two day hikes.
Category: Oceania
Ferries and Boots
Hiked, took a ferry, hiked, took another ferry. Ended up back where we started.
Urupukapuka Island
We’re staying next to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland. Today we took a ferry to the largest island, Urupukapuka Island, then hiked. Some of the trails were hard going, but we were often rewarded by gorgeous 360 degree views.
Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Rented bicycles, then cycled part of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. The 54-mile rail trail connects the east and west coasts of New Zealand’s Northland.
On Golden Bay
We drove almost as far as we could to the northwest of New Zealand’s South Island to Golden Bay, named for the gold mining that took place here in the 19th century. Our VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) cabin stood on its own, above a beach, at the end of an unpaved road. En route,…… Continue reading On Golden Bay
Time to Refuel
Refueled after an undulating ridge trail hike above the Bay of Islands.
Kids Blasted with Pigment
At the start of our walk beside the Bay of Islands in New Zealand’s Northland, local kids were having a grand time being blasted with pigment. This is probably a nod to India’s Holi Festival which takes place about now.
Flying North to Bay of Islands
Flew to the far north of New Zealand’s North Island: Nelson NSN to Auckland AKL, AKL to Kerikeri/Bay of Islands KKE.
Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track in nearby Kahurangi National Park gradually climbed up a mountain, occasionally revealing other mountains through gaps in the trees. We hiked for the day, but found ourselves wishing we could hike the full track, end-to-end, over 4 days.
Farewell Spit
Walked through a monotonous landscape on Farewell Spit, a sandbar near where we’re staying. Unseen by us were big numbers: it’s the longest sandbar on Earth (16 miles); the sea recedes up to 4 miles at low tide; this month, bar-tailed godwits will migrate 7,500 miles to Alaska.