My car is almost done, and I can’t stand seeing Auckland’s surroundings anymore, so I headed north. I’m trying to write down my experiences until Cape Reigna on the east shore.
Table of Contents
Mangawhei Heads
Starting in Avondale, I intended to drive towards the north by heading east. Albany was my previous destination before I drove along country roads to Mangawhei Heads. The New Zealand adventure I’ve been looking forward to starts just after Albany. You’ll drive through expansive hilly landscapes, dense woods, and breathtaking coastlines like in the movies.
Now you will notice another car on the streets every hour, therefore it happened, that I drove on my used street lane, which is sadly the wrong one… It’s common sense to stop for a picture, if the weather would have been nicer I would have stopped too. After spending the whole day driving only 150 km, I searched for accommodation and planned tomorrow’s route. You should search for the next “major” villages, as my phone’s GPS is malfunctioning, forcing me to rely on maps and signs for navigation. Due to the weather, I couldn’t take many pictures and ended up resting in Mangawhei Heads.
Piahia
Although the distance between Mangawhei Heads and Paihia is not too far, I drove all day. If you’re traveling along the “Bay of Islands,” the distance will increase. I took advantage of the good morning weather and went on a coastal hike to “Smuggler’s Bay.” Although I got wet, the beach view was breathtaking... A bay encompassed by verdant hills, azure ocean, and ivory sand.
A quick glance at the sky warned me to hurry, as bad weather approaches. Nature enthusiasts will find pleasure at the Bay of Islands. If you have the time and don’t need to worry about finding a place to sleep, you can truly appreciate this scenery. Both lack of time and unfavorable weather are hindering me. Hence, I drove straight to Piahia and stayed overnight during a rainy evening.
Cape Reigna
The road leading to the highest point in the north of New Zealand is solitary, yet stunning. You drive on a hilly landscape covered with green grass. You’ll find plenty of picturesque locations like “Rainbow Falls” in Kerikeri/Waipapa. If you take the detour to “Piapia Bay” before Orotere while on State Highway 10, you’ll be treated to stunning surroundings. It’s reasonable that they named this 40 km road “Tourist Drive”. I finally had a chance to take a lot of pictures this time because the weather wasn’t terrible.
Completing this idyllic drive is just the beginning, as there are more highlights to discover. As Cape Reigna draws near, the landscape undergoes increasing changes. The green grass remains, though the cliffs will become more sheer. Following that, you'll drive on ancient red volcanic stone and suddenly, an opportunity arises to turn left, revealing colossal sand dunes on the horizon. If you take the primary route, you will reach a designated parking area and the streets cease to exist. You have arrived at Cape Reigna. A mesmerizing view is in store for you once you conquer the last hill. As far as the eye could see, there were only steep cliffs, rugged coasts, and the vast expanse of the ocean, with a solitary lighthouse standing tall.
Unfortunately, this lighthouse is currently undergoing maintenance, so the scene is marred by barriers and the presence of orange construction machines. Nonetheless, this scene is one in a million and there’re a plenty of trekking routes to choose from. But for no reason, these are all shut down. As usual, there are more pictures to view in the gallery. (I visited the Zoo before my departure, sadly the Kiwi exhibit wasn’t suited for pictures)
