Winterless North 2012

SCOTTSDALE TOURS
WINTERLESS NORTH TOUR
2012
The days leading up to this tour involved a lot of studying
weather maps and listening to forecasts as the Gods threatened to
throw everything at us including a weather ‘bomb’. In the end our
full bus of intrepid travelers set off in very windy but mostly dry
conditions. Sadly we had to make the decision to cancel the
Kaipara Harbour Cruise the day before as conditions were so
threatening so we tried a little mystery tour around Auckland
instead, including a failed attempt to conquer Mt Eden. They don’t
allow buses up there anymore apparently. We decided to abandon
Whangrei Falls
the mad Auckland traffic and motored on up to Whangarei where
we visited Clapham’s Clock Museum. Just imagine if all those
clocks chimed at the same time!!! Then it was on to our overnight
stop with the great team at Settlers Motel.
With the weather looking better all the time, following a quick
stop at the Whangarei Falls, we journeyed around the Tutukaka
Coast and around the Russell Coast Road to lunch at Russell.
There was time for morning tea at one of Ross’s favourite little
spots at Oakura on the way. We then split up with 3 adventurers
deciding to do the ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise and most of the rest of
Russell waterfront
us took the opportunity of a bus tour around Russell. Ross took
the coach around to Paihia via the vehicle ferry to get set up and
unloaded at our fabulous waterfront accommodation while the
group came across on the passenger ferry. Another very
comfortable night at Kingsgate Paihia, which incidentally will be
our home for four nights this Christmas.
Windy weather greeted us next morning as we made the short trip
to Waitangi Treaty grounds for a look around and some morning
tea. Some time also to ‘repair’ a battered ‘Mother-in-law’ who
decided to try nose diving, unsuccessfully. Fortunately not too
much harm done apart from looking like she had gone 10 rounds
with David Tua when she re-joined the trip a couple of days later.
Then it was visits to the Waimate North Mission House, the Stone
Store and Kemp House and a lunch break in Kerikeri. The
afternoon took us up through Mongonui to Lake Ngatu Plantations
where we spent an entertaining hour with the inimitable Peter and
his wife Pauline, exploring their tropical nursery. We finished the
day at our stop for the next 2 nights at the very comfortable
Northerner Hotel in Kaitaia.
Hole in the Rock, Bay of Islands
Stone Store, Kerikeri
A surprisingly good day greeted the group next morning as they
set off for the trip along ninety-mile beach to Cape Reinga. By all
reports a great day was had by all, being entertained by Robin’s
terrible jokes while they enjoyed some great scenery.
And yet another beautiful day next day as we started our journey
south across the Hokianga Harbour and through ‘Opo the
Dolphin’ country at Opononi and a picnic lunch at Omapere. Then
it was into the mighty Kauri Forests with a visit to majestic Tane
Mahuta and a stroll through Trounson Park, “the best Kauri walk
in the world” we reckon. The day was completed with a visit to
Kai Iwi Lakes and a bit of a ‘Ross ramble’ around the coast to our
last stop for the day at Dargaville. Accommodation is always a bit
messy in Dargaville as there is no place large enough for a big
group and unfortunately dinner at the Northern Wairoa Hotel was
somewhat of a shambles.
We started our last day with a visit to the excellent Dargaville
Maritime Museum before heading on to the iconic Matakohe
Kauri Museum. These are two of the best museums in the country
and well worth a visit. We had a late lunch in Warkworth and then
we were homeward bound.
Lake Ngatu Plantations
Opo the dolphin statue, Opononi
What a great group of people you were. Thanks everybody for the
fun and your support and a big thank you to Julie for all your
support and great driving and hostessing skills.
Kind regards: Ross
Tane Mahuta