Across the country we go. It’s a little over an hour to drive virtually coast to coast. Of course Alice takes us on the scenic route on different roads and streets that we would never have taken. So we first get the farmland tour – then the scenery starts to change as we head up and over the mountains to get to the other coast. It’s a beautiful drive once again on the twisty little roads that define this country.
We set our sights on the visitor center in Opononi, figuring it is a good place to stop for additional information – and a bathroom break. It’s a cute, quaint little town here, very laid back. Between hotels and motels, there’s not a lot else here besides a couple of cafes and restaurants. We find the tourist information place easily enough. There’s a cute little cafe there that smells heavenly, but we’ve already had our lunch, so we resist the enticing aromas and just chat with Liz, the local information expert. She tells us about an overlook just up the road in Omapere, and how to get to the Waipoua Forest to see Tane Mahuta, the largest known Kauri tree standing today. I’m stoked, because I really wanted to see the tree, but didn’t think we’d make it this far.
Liz gives us a great map (which is totally necessary because Alice doesn’t know any of these town names – trying to find places has been impossible) and we make the Southward turn on our loop drive heading back toward Whangerei.
The lookout is fantastic – thank you Liz! And thank you Liz for telling us to walk all the way out to the point, and not to stop right after the parking lot like most folks do. The scenery is well worth a couple minutes walk.
As you can see, it is a gorgeous day over here on the Kauri coast, we’ve left most of the overcast clouds behind. The view from Omapere is spectacular, looking across the Hokianga Harbor to the huge sand dunes at North Head where you can go extreme sand boarding (maybe some other time!).
Beautiful.
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