January 21 - flight to Cape Reinga

Thursday 21 January

Today we had a special treat in store. We had another flight booked with Salt Air, this time up to Cape Reinga, at the tip of the North Island, in a light plane. The weather had come up trumps and we had a great day to look forward to.

There were six of us on the trip another older couple and a couple of young men from Switzerland, though one was originally from England, so English was not a problem.

The flight was about 45 minutes with excellent commentary from our pilot. The route north took us overland and sea and everyone had a good view. We had an interesting landing on a grass strip on top of a hill where we were met by our van driver.

Just the short journey to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse satisfied everyone that driving all the way to the Cape and not flying, is definitely the way to go as the roads are very winding and are lined with trees. So views are limited.

We had plenty of time at the lighthouse to walk down to the point and absorb the significance of the area as well. Our driver had explained all this to us before we headed down the path to the lighthouse.

After we all returned to the van we took the gravel road down to a beach for some morning tea at Tapotupotu. A rather special little hideaway that many who drive up this way may miss.

Then it was off to the sand dunes at Te Paki. The two young fellows took the challenge and climbed the dune with boogie boards to slide back down. Had we been younger, it would have been a lot of fun to do.

Back at the airstrip our pilot was waiting and we took off without a hitch to head back to the Bay of Islands. Our flight path took a different route showing off more of the stunning coastline. All too soon we were taken back to our accommodation. Another wonderful morning out.

Not finished with the day in the afternoon we visited the Waitangi Treaty grounds. The historic birthplace of New Zealand as we know it today. As we had already experienced Maori cultural activities in Rotorua, we only wandered the grounds and buildings and war canoes. The final pieces of the history lesson were in place.

A wonderful end of our stay in the Bay of Islands.

All ready for take off

The further north we travel the more pine plantations there are. They have a dual purpose - a cash crop and dune stabilisation

The 55 mile long 90 Mile Beach! Apparently early settlers found this beach was an easy route to travel and estimated the length by the time it took to walk it, not taking into account that walking on the sand was more time consuming!

Our little air pad on a hill

Looking towards one tree hill at the most northerly point of the North Island

As with Cape of Good Hope, the most notable landmark is not at the most northerly point

We have now visited the north distance post in the North Island as well as the one in the South Island at Bluff

A strange phenomenon - the headland separates a white silica sand beach and a red sandstone beach

Flying back to Kerikeri we flew directly over Paihia

Our landing strip - the grass - easier on the wheels!

The war canoes at Waitangi Treaty Grounds which are brought out each Waitangi Day

The flag pole marks the signing of the Treaty of Waigangi

The mission house