Month: January 2013

January 29, 2013

After Shipwreck Bay, we went to check out the local winery, Okahu Estate.  I wasn’t expecting much of this winery on the remote, windswept west coast, but I was pleasantly surprised.  We had ten tastings in all, including vintages of syrah, chardonnay, pinotage, chamborcin (which Okahu pioneered in Northland), a port, a dessert wine, and the limited-supply sherry.

All the wine was good, except the sherry.  Please don’t try the sherry.  OK, if you have to try it, please don’t buy it all.  Legacy will be back late in the fall ‘13 season, and there had better be some sherry left!  If you ignore this warning and buy all the sherry, keep in mind that New Zealand is not that big a place.  We have a boat and a car and we will find you. –Cyndi

January 29, 2013

Ninety Mile Beach ends at the seaside village of Ahipara, but the beach itself continues on with a new name: Shipwreck Bay.  This bay is formed by the coastline sweeping out to the west for a time before heading southeast again.  This puts the beach at a perfect angle to make the sort of waves that attract surfers from all over and give the little town its surf vibe.

It was calm at the time of our visit so we didn’t see any surf action, but we did see plenty of cars parked on the beach, with people fishing, walking, and taking their dogs for a run.  This seems like the sort of place where people really enjoy the lifestyle. –Cyndi

January 29, 2013

The south entrance to Ninety Mile Beach is close to the town of Kaitaia and is the easiest one to get to.  This part of the beach is also famous for its clams.  You just dig your hands in the wet sand and voila, clams!  For this reason, this part of the beach attracts the most people, but the beach is so big it just never feels crowded.

I will say even though it’s the most-used entrance, it also has the softest sand.  There was no way we would have attempted to drive over that, and in the time we were there we saw two people get stuck.  Of course if you do get stuck, someone will come along shortly and tow you out.  Many Kiwis come prepared for just this sort of thing. –Cyndi

January 29, 2013

There is not much that’s special about Kaitaia; it’s a town without much character or charm.  It’s not that it’s ugly; it’s just totally nondescript, existing more to function than please the eye.  It does have one thing going for it, though: its proximity to prime sightseeing areas.  Thus, there are motels galore.

One rule of thumb in New Zealand: If you are going to a popular tourist spot, do not leave valuables in the car—drop your luggage off at your hotel first.  We stayed at the Loredo Motel, which I would recommend.  It’s not fancy, but it’s comfortable and nice.

The only picture I found worth taking in Kaitaia was of the Chinese restaurant down the street.  At least there was one thing of interest here, and the food was pretty good. –Cyndi

January 29, 2013

Our final stop on our way down the Aupouri Peninsula was Houhora Heads.  This is where the end of an east-side cape nearly meets the peninsula, creating a narrow channel into the natural harbor off Houhora.

While this isn’t a life-changing kind of a sight, it is pretty and worth stopping to take a look. –Cyndi