Matakohe to Ahipara

Kauri tree in Trounson Reserve

Now we've seen real, live kauri trees and they are huge. Went for a short walk through the kauri forest in the Trounson Reserve. Had to disinfect our shoes both on entry to and exit from the walk to ensure no contamination brought in or out - they are trying really hard to preserve what's left of the kauri. It's a type of rain forest, with a thick canopy and loads of creepers climbing up and hanging down from the trees. Then we drove through the Waipoua Forest, home of several famously old and large kauri, including Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri in New Zealand; thought to be ~2000 years old. Trunk is 13.8 m in circumference - an impressive sight.

Our first sight of Hokianga Harbour

After Waipoua Forest, the road snaked its way down to Hokianga Harbour - a large inlet, formerly the location of much trading, logging and fishing activity. Took the ferry across to Kohukohu, then a quiet, meandering road through more, but different, woods, rural hamlets, and the Herekino Gorge, ending up at the little beach resort of Ahipara.

View from our apartment of sunset over Ahipara Beach

Staying in a very comfortable and well-appointed apartment here, over looking the beach. This is the southern end of what's known as 90 Mile Beach (though it isn't 90 miles long), famous for sand yachting (though we haven't see any) and sand toboganning down the dunes. Dined in, sitting on the veranda, watching the sunset over the beach. It's going to be hard to leave this place.