Walks

Return to Cape Reinga

Day 33 After a few days rest and relaxation in Kerikeri, it was time to head North to Cape Reinga to finish the first 20 kms of Te Araroa walk. When I started from Cape Reinga, I had to skip…

Auckland Airport

Day 32 Feet are sore and have blisters on both feet now. I applied some Compeed to the left foot, to see if that helps. I suspect it will not. Another hot day. At the half way point was the…

Over the Hill to Drury

Day 31 Did not get a great sleep. Seems like the folks in Mercer like to drive their loud and throaty cars all night. Fortunately I was exhausted from the previous day, so when I finally did fall asleep I…

No Mercy getting to Mercer

Day 30 Today was brutal. I have declared this the hardest day on trail so far. I was warned it would be a hard day, so I was a little prepared. Unfortunately the hardest bits were at the end and…

To Huntly Golf Course

Day 29 The day would start with a climb up to the viewpoint on Hakarimata walkway. I knew the climb would be tough, but it was a little tougher than I expected. One of the WWOFers did the walk the…

Returning to the Trail

Day 28 Janet and David fed me breakfast and drove me to my starting point. I could start anywhere, but planned to start about 8 kms outside of Hamilton, meaning I would walk first towards Hamilton, through the city center,…

To Auckland

Day 26 and 27 It would take 2 more days to walk to Auckland city. The first day to Stillwater and the second day along the costal path and the north shore beaches. The forecast for heavy rain never eventuated,…

Kayak Trip and Orewa

Day 25 Wet start to the day and a wet finish. And everything in between was great. The plan to push on yesterday worked well, making it easy to catch the 12 noon outgoing tide for the Kayak trip. As…

Dome Forest

Day 23 and 24 Time to leave the beach and head up and into the forest, including the Dome Forest. We knew from others before us, that the trail would be muddy and slow. So mentally prepared for two long…

Day at the Beach

Day 22 Very late start today, due to the tides. The 6 kms from the start and 500 meters from the end of the walk is tide dependent. In hindsight, the first tide crossing was completely fine. The trail notes…

Resting in Mangawhai

Days 20 and 21 My last rest day was at Paihia, 9 days ago. Before the trip started, I planned to take a rest day every 5 days, so I am a little overdue at 9 days. Typically a rest…

Waipu Cove

Day 19 Day started with a water taxi ride across the water to Marsden Point. Blair was our Captain for the short journey. Everyone wanted to be in the first boat, but the second boat left only 15 minutes after…

Whangārei Heads

Day 18 Camped at the southern end of Ocean Beach for a reason, as today would be a big day. Not distance, but in terms of going up and going down. My fancy GPS watch reported that the day involved…

Ocean Beach

Day 17 So nice to spend time at the Nike Bay Eco-Lodge and enjoy the hospitality of James. Our little group is well armed with information for crossing the river. We set off in high spirits for the exciting day…

Nikau Bay (Ngunguru)

Day 16 Started the day with crossing the footbridge between Ngunguru North and South. This bridge claims to be the longest footbridge in the Southern hemisphere. Originally built to allow kids on the South bank to attend the school on…