| Do not miss going to the very north of New | | | | area. Watch out for several abandoned cars |
| Zealand if you take a vacation there. Two | | | | that are gradually being buried in the sand. |
| fantastic ways to experience this area is to | | | | Once you have reached the lower end of Ninety |
| take two of the Fullers tours. The Cape | | | | Mile Beach the tour heads back to Paihia |
| Reinga Wanderer and the 'Cream Trip' | | | | through pretty countryside. |
| Supercruise are ideal excursions. | | | | |
| | | | The 'Cream Trip' Supercruise is an excellent |
| The best base is the small coastal town of | | | | way to discover the Bay of Islands. You will |
| Paihia. You will have an early morning start | | | | cruise around on a state of the art Catamaran |
| for the Cape Reinga Wanderer but you will | | | | and see all the highlights of this area. The |
| soon be discovering the magnificent Kauri | | | | spectacular Black Rocks are the first stop. |
| trees at the Puketi Kauri Forest. A twenty | | | | These rocks are unusual formations of |
| minute boardwalk lets you wander around these | | | | volcanic rocks and can only be found at two |
| awesome giant trees. At the morning coffee | | | | places in the world. Fullers stop at many of |
| stop the restaurant has an amazing spiral | | | | the islands to deliver provisions and mail to |
| staircase carved inside a massive Kauri tree. | | | | the islands residents. Watch out for the |
| | | | abundant wildlife in the area. Dolphins |
| This tour is tide dependent so it may be done | | | | escorted this tour for part of the way. |
| in reverse. On this tour a buffet lunch was | | | | |
| included at a pleasant location overlooking | | | | During the trip there is an extended stay on |
| the Pacific Ocean. The road for the last 17 | | | | the delightfully named Urupukapuka island. My |
| miles is a dirt track but you eventually | | | | tip is to enjoy one the scenic walks where |
| reach Cape Reinga at the northern tip of New | | | | you can get fantastic views over numerous |
| Zealand. If you wander down to the Lighthouse | | | | islands. The highlight of this tour is a |
| and look out to sea you can observe the | | | | visit to the awesome 'Hole in the Rock'. Your |
| Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean currents | | | | excitement will grow as, conditions |
| meeting. The resultant clashing waves can be | | | | permitting, the cruiser makes a passage |
| really spectacular. This area has great | | | | through the hole. |
| significance to the native Maori people. It | | | | |
| is the 'leaping place' where the spirits of | | | | The Catamaran then heads back to Paihia but |
| the deceased return to their spiritual | | | | my tip is to stay on the cruiser and visit |
| homeland of 'Hawaiki'. A Pohutukawa tree, on | | | | the lovely town of Russell. Have a wander |
| the rocks below, marks the place where the | | | | round and discover the pretty Church. A small |
| spirits move freely. | | | | ferry boat will take you back to Paihia when |
| | | | you are ready. |
| After leaving Cape Reinga the tour heads | | | | |
| towards the vast Ninety Mile Beach. There is | | | | This area of New Zealand is well worth the |
| a chance to use a sand sledge down the giant | | | | time and effort. Especially when you take |
| sand dunes if you are brave. The Ninety Mile | | | | these two fantastic ways to experience them. |
| Beach runs down the Tasman Sea side of this | | | | |