We based ourselves in Paihia for a week and used it as our hub to explore around Pēwhairangi – Bay of Islands. Easy to get around, plenty to see and a good mix of quick stops and places to slow down. Kawakawa State Highway 1 runs straight through Kawakawa and most people pass right through
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Ngatea isn’t somewhere we stay but it’s somewhere we always stop. If you’re heading through this part of the country, it’s one of those places that just makes life on the road easier. What we did For us, Ngatea is all about resetting. We’ll pull in, stretch the legs, top up supplies and tick off
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Kaiaua is one of those places we keep coming back to. No matter where we’re heading, we’ll usually find a reason to divert through here. It’s easy, relaxed and just works for the way we travel. What we did We pulled into our usual spot, a Park Over Property just before Kaiaua near Waharau Regional
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We headed to Paeroa with a plan to ride the trail through to Waihi. Simple, easy day out… or so we thought. First stop was the iconic L&P bottle. You can’t come through here without grabbing a photo and honestly, if you’ve never tried L&P, do it. It’s one of those drinks that just tastes
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Twin Coast Discovery Highway We left Whangārei and headed out along the Twin Coast Discovery Highway toward Ngunguru and Tutukākā, planning to stay a few days for fishing. That turned into a full week. The weather had its say but we still managed some solid fishing days without even needing to get the Takacat out.
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We based ourselves out at Whangārei Heads for a few days, chasing a mix of fishing, walks and a bit of time by the water. It’s one of those places that takes a bit of effort to get to, but once you’re there, you’ll be glad you made the trip. Whangārei itself is the main
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We’ve passed through Mangawhai Heads a few times but never properly stopped. This time we did and it ended up being one of those easy, feel-good stops that just works. We stayed at a Park Over Property just outside of town, close enough to head in and out without any hassle. On the way in,
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We’ve been up Maungawhau – Mt Eden a few times over the years. Walked it, driven it, even watched Toni run it back in her rugby days. This time, we went back for a slower visit, just to take it in properly. Maungawhau is one of the most important maunga (mountains) in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s
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We headed into Cornwall Park and Maungakiekie – One Tree Hill for something easy and grounding. It’s one of those places right in the middle of the city, but once you’re in there, it doesn’t feel like Auckland at all. Maungakiekie is another significant maunga in Tāmaki Makaurau, with strong cultural and historical importance. The
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Leigh was only a short drive from where we were staying around Matakana, and it’s a really nice, scenic trip to get there. It’s a small coastal town, but it has everything you need for a relaxed day out. We headed out specifically to snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve, and our first tip would
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