Stephen

Stephen

Dome Forest

Day 23 and 24 (471 – 513 kms) 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…

Day at the Beach

Day 22 (450 – 471 KMS) 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…

Resting in Mangawhai

Days 20 and 21  (422 – 450 KMS) 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…

Waipu Cove

Day 19 (392 – 422 KMS) 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…

Whangārei Heads

Day 18 (378 – 392 KMS) 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…

Ocean Beach

Day 17 (349 – 378 KMS) 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…

Nikau Bay (Ngunguru)

Day 16 (322 – 349 KMS) 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…

Whananki

Day 15 (306 – 322 KMS) Up early when the birds woke up. Everyone else was sleeping. Took 2 eggs from the box and tried (unsuccessfully) to fry one, then (successfully) poached the second. It was worth trying, but needs…

Camp 306

Day 14 (280 – 306 kms) Left earlier with hopes to take it more slowly. It is not in my nature to walk slowly, and nature is hard to change. But after two weeks on trail, I feel I am…

Life on The Farm

Day 13 (262 – 280 kms) Ruth, Elliot and I had discussed “The Farm” many times, and we had created our own stories about this place. There were rumours on the trail that it was a hippie joint, or maybe…

Sheryl’s Place

Day 12 After the kayak trip, we had a short walk to Sheryl’s place, my first trail angel. It was an eye-opening experience for me and not what I was expecting. Sheryl lives on Maori land. Her home is a…

Kayaking

Day 12 (251 – 262 KMS) There are a couple of options when leaving Paihia. Either take a small passenger ferry to Russell and walk the roads or board a sea kayak and paddle with the incoming tide to Waikare. I…

Kerikeri and Paihia

Day 9 to 11 (197 – 251 KMS) The walk to Kerikeri was very pleasant, but maybe a little harder than anticipated. Or maybe it was harder because the previous day was a big day. The last 5 km stretch into…

Puketi Forest

Day 8 (177 – 197 KMS) Huge and very rewarding day. I got to walk the river gorge, something I have wanted to do since hearing about the Te Araroa Trail. It did not rain overnight. In the morning I walked…

Raetea Forest

Days 6 and 7 (115 – 177 KMS) The weather warning ended at 7am, and it was time to get on the trail. But first a coffee on the way through town. As I started I was not sure where I…