8th March

We drove onwards and upwards, heading further North and stopping in Kawakawa, to see the toilets.

There was a fantastic butchers, over the road from the mosaicked designer toilets too, that sold all sorts of meat surprises, pork wrapped with sausage meat into a pretty parcel, bbq marinaded steaks - you name it.

New Zealand most famous toilets!
Found in Kawakawa, designed by Hundertwasser.

From Hunterwasser we drove to Waitangi, to visit the Treaty House. On the way we had spectacular views of the Bay of Islands. The sun was out if full force - it was so hot we had to sit in the shade!

Waitangi Maui centre and treaty grounds

A big, fat Tui bird - the first we'd actually seen
They make really odd noises! CLICK HERE

Whilst walking around the Treaty House grounds we managed to get a picture of the infamous Tui bird and tried to record his beautiful bird calls. He sounded like he was sitting in every tree and was singing two different songs - something to do with having two voice boxes that he can project I believe. ( enough of the geeky stuff though).

Omapere, with huge sand dunes in the distance (left of shot)

We were having to cover a lot of ground as our flights were booked for leaving Auckland and heading back down to Christchurch so we ran out of time to visit the Northerly peninsular. 

Instead of driving for an extra two days, we cut across the top of the island and headed for the small towns of Opononi and Omapere. They are both located on an estuary that leads to Hokianga Harbour. Opononi has a claim to fame of a dolphin that was murdered on its beaches and Omapere looks across the harbour to mountainous sand dunes.

We found a camp site - which was very shabby and completely overpriced - suffice to say even if they had a refit on the toilet block I wouldn't stay there again!

So despite needing showers and having washing to do, we went without, particularly given the drought in the area and the threat of only three days of drinking water left. We would have a "Pommy" wash instead, recyle our socks and sip much white wine, before watching the sun set behind the dunes.

Wander down the beach after food