[dawn]

For my birthday, the kids got me a couple of travel guides and huge map, we've been before and did some of the North Island, so as I've been going through the book, I've been able to tick a few places off.

There are 2 places that I really want to visit and I was wondering what everyone else wanted to see when they arrived.

Mine are:
Cape Reinga
Bluff

I really fancy seeing the very top and the very bottom! Hubby has promised a road trip once we're settled so we can go to Cape Reinga.

So, where did/do you want to go? (I'm hoping I get some ideas for other trips:D)

Dawn

[marcia]

Cathedral cove

You can only get there via boat or a 45 min walk from the car park, through vegitation, and fields etc. When you get there it is unspoilt, (no toilets, cafe ice cream van, or bucket and spade shop in sight!) It was the most busy beach we went to but by no means packed. The sand was red hot to walk on, but Kev said the sea was the coldest he'd ever been in, made his legs go numb!!

[Oregonkiwi]

Well, not really answering your question, but I agree that Cape Reinga and Cathedral Cove are both must-see. (Bluff is interesting in a bottom of the world kind of way but there's not so much to actually see there.) Cathedral Cove is amazing and we were the only people there when we went. Cape Reinga is also incredible. It's a long drive over unsealed roads so most people take one of the bus tours, which does make it easier, but if you drive yourself then you can spend as much time as you like staring out at the ocean, walking around etc. The bus tours don't give you much time once you're actually there.

When you're up in Northland, take Highway 10 through Mangonui and the Bay of Islands. Beautiful scenery. And also check out the kauri forest (dang, the name of it escapes me ) over by Opononi.

enjoy your planning!

[Angie and Mick]

If visiting Cathedral Cove then call at the hot water Beach not that far, if you time it right when the tide coming in you can dig a hole, find the right spot in front of the rocks, you sit in it and it fills with warm water. Warning do not stand in the stream of hot water as very hot.

We called at Cape Reinga while on a coach trip which went along 90mile beach.

At top end also Pahia, from there boat trip to the hole in the rock and Dolphin Watching. The day we went was a little rough, hence my daughter who was 3 and half was sick, cleared the inside deck. OH had given her a chocolate bar during the trip so a least it smelt more of chocolate than a very sicky smell.

Found out that she is sea sick, also sick when we did the crossing from Picton to Wellinton, however so were a lot of other people as it was very choppy.

[Angie and Mick]

When you're up in Northland, take Highway 10 through Mangonui and the Bay of Islands. Beautiful scenery. And also check out the kauri forest (dang, the name of it escapes me ) over by Opononi.

enjoy your planning![/QUOTE]

The forest is called PUKETI Forest, BIG Kauri trees. If passing call at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom LTd www.ancientkauri.co.nz inside items made from Kauri trees dug from swampland. The staircase to the top floor is very interesting, check it out.

[Jenny & Mark]

I took a trip up to Cape Reinga with a friend the Summer before I left New Zealand. Had a fantastic time. We took the long way and drove up the Kauri Coast, saw Tane Mahuta (god of the forest - NZ's largest Kauri tree) and the Three Sisters (also large Kauri Trees). We took the ferry from Rawene across the Hokianga harbour and saw the most amazing sunset!
Cape Reinga is very windy, but the view is just amazing.. well worth the trip.

On the trip back to Whangarei we visited the Wairere Boulders, near Horeke.
http://www.wairereboulders.co.nz/ They are quite unique and it gives you an opportunity to get out of the car and go for a really enjoyable walk/hike through a massive boulder valley and Nikau Palms. Definately one of the highlights of our trip!

http://www.wairereboulders.co.nz/images/pamphlet_a4.jpg

Jenny