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Oct 18
Wed

First Kauris, the Bay of Islands and a pirates beach at Doubtless Bay

In cheerful spirits we continue driving north. At first we drive to the little A H Reed Memorial Kauri Park (from Mill Rd turn right into Whareora Rd) which is only 3 kms of the city. You walk partly on a boardwalk which is in the tree tops and it's nice and placid with fern trees and other huge ferns, totaras and some kauri trees. The first three kauri we marvel at are really impressing. The trunk is so gigantic and feels like cool, smooth stone. Without fail we want to see the true giants of the forest in Waipoua Kauri Forest on our following journey. The scent in the forest is spicy. The scents! Sometimes smells of flowers climb into my nose that intensive they make me think there's somebody around wearing a strong perfume.

Oakura Bay Stop at Oakura Bay · more Oakura pictures more pictures

Again we're following SH1 and then scenic Russel Rd which turns right off SH1 at Whakapara to the Bay of Islands. On the way we experience variable kinds of vegetation, cows under palms, narrow roads seamed by native bush, green hills, gnarled and irreal looking trees on large meadows. We have a break at Oakura Bay. The road leads directly along the beach and you can simply park there. After a beach walk we make a coffee and sit outside at a wooden table, writing travel diary. That's when we make our first acquaintance with the sandflies. Indeed they don't come in swarms but they go straight for the feet and socks can't stop them.

Bay of Islands – Russell The Christ Church in historic Russell · more Bay of Islands pictures more pictures

Next we visit historic Russell in the Bay of Islands. One of the historic buildings is the Christ Church, the oldest surviving church in New Zealand built in 1836. In the little cemetery in front of the church interesting inscriptions on old gravestones remind of the here resting Māori, early settlers, whale catchers and sailors. The small church looks bright, homely and comfortable inside: wooden floor and furniture and on the benches cushions with colorful pictures of kiwi and rainbows.

We cross the Bay of Islands on a Fullers ferry boat. You don't have to wait too long for it, it's like going by bus. When we're leaving, sun comes out again. So at least we see the brilliant colors while crossing the bay. We drive SH10 to Doubtless Bay which got it's name by Captain Cook who decided it doubtless to be a bay. We park at Coopers Beach and it's gorgeous! A beach like out of a pirates movie! A golden stripe of powder sand, the turquoise blue water floats onto the beach gently and sun is still shining. On it's full length of 2,5 km the beach is seamed by mighty pohutukawa. The trees lie on the beach with their large gnarly branches. That's a shady place to sit down and enjoy the scenery.

Doubtless Bay – Coopers Beach Heavenly Coopers Beach · more Doubtless Bay pictures more pictures

After an extensive beach walk and a dramatic sunset we stay here overnight. There's a little carpark right above the beach. When you find a place like this you know you are happy to be on your way with a campervan.

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