January 30, 2013
As long as we were on the west coast, we decided to head south and see two more “must do’s”: Hokianga Harbor and below that, the Kauri Coast with its giant kauri trees.
We would drive about an hour south and catch the ferry that crosses Hokianga Harbor, a large natural harbor and waterway that extends nearly 20 miles inland from the west coast. The 15 minute crossing would take us to the town of Rawene before heading another hour or so beyond that to the Waipoua Forest.
We had been advised by the proprietor of our motel that our chosen route was “just farmland” with “nothing to see,” and that we should travel a route we’d already done. We didn’t listen and were so glad as the drive was pretty spectacular, winding through beautiful green hills strewn with wildflowers. Below, some pictures from our “ugly” drive. –Cyndi
