One of the main reasons we stayed north of Auckland at Bay of Islands was to be able to see the giant Kauri trees in Waipoua forest. The oldest and largest tree in NZ is there and is called Tane Mahuta.

We called in at the visitors centre in Paihia where are staying, to make sure the forest trails were open. The problems in this area are that the native kauri trees are dying from a disease. Yes we were told,they were still allowing people to visit,but you had to walk through disinfectant and brush your shoes so as to prevent further contamination of the forest. You have to walk on their board walks and not on the forest floor.

We joined the roads leading to the east coast. On the way we found such beauty. New Zealand never ceases to amaze us. The coast line was of turquoise blue seas and massive sand dunes and a huge inland estuary. The hillsides are steep and curved with ancient forests. The valleys have been cleared and are farmland. Limestone outcrops and sandstone I think.

We stopped at a town called Omapere and then walked up over the headland. Up here you could see almost 360* views.

There was a long mural in the town telling the history of the town.

Captain John Martin and his crew did not realise the danger their ship was in. Across the bay is a treaturous sand bar and huge currents. A Maori girl swam to them to warn them and helped to safely guide the ship into the harbour. She later married him and they had 3 children. The mural goes on to explain how the early settlers managed to colonise the town. It starts with the Maoris story and then the Europeans.

We still hadn’t even reached the Waipoua Forest, so we set off again. The first view point was the actual tree. It is a giant I’ll let you read it’s dimensions. The rainforest was full of those buzzing insects, but we didn’t get one bite today thank goodness.

 

Hope you like the photos. This has been another memorable day in our brilliant holiday.