Further along the beach, we passed the Hole in the Rock. Unlike the one in the Bay of Islands, this one is unaccessible to humans due to the wild surf, although there is apparently a seal colony there.
Tag Archives: northland
Wild, Wild World – Part 3
We’re only have way up Ninety Mile Beach. There are a few access points into the beach, but most people see it by 4WD. Which means that you have to know what you’re doing or your car can sink into the quicksand.
We stopped at The Bluff, a bombara where we spotted a few fishermen trying to salvage a catch out of the surf.
More accessible were the mounds of shells. Like middens in Australia, looks like the local Maoris have been using this place for a long while.
Wild, Wild World – Part 2
From 30 minutes up the beach the dunes of Ahipara were already quite a distance away.
Being a very open beach, the seas here are rough.
Very rough.
Wild, Wild World – Part 1
I’m starting a series of posts that revisit the northern most point of New Zealand. This is made of the expansive Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually only 55 miles long), accumulating in the impressive Cape Reinga.
We’ll start at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, at a town called Ahipara. This is a bit of a surfies hangout because of the good waves rolling in off the Tasman Sea.
Sunset is a good time to explore the nearby rock platform.
Mangonui – From a Great Height
We’ll finish off with a view of the hamlet and the surrounding countryside from Rangikapiti Pa. A Pa is an ancient Maori hill fort. This one in the middle of Doubtless Bay, is very strategic indeed.
Aside from fishing, Mangonui Harbour and Doubtless Bay is a great place for sailing, and there were quite a few sailing boats moored too.
That’s all from NZ for now. The next post will be from much closer to home.
Mangonui – On the Water
Near the wharf was this oddity of a house on stilts. It might have absolute waterfrontage, but one hopes that the sea levels don’t rise too much in the future.
Mangonui – Dinghies
I might not be too steady on the water (I get seasick very, very easily), but I do like to look at boats. These dinghies may be stock-standard, but whitewashed and upturned by the blue water they are absolutely picturesque.
Mangonui – Something Fishy
Given that Mangonui has thriving fishery, one would expect to find great fish and chips there. Enter the Mangonui Fish Shop, which I’m told is the best fish shop in town. Unfortunately it was rather too early for fish and chips, although the congregating seagulls have different ideas.
Mangonui – Fisherman
Mangonui itself is located on an inlet north of the Bay of Islands. Being on the coast and blessed with a harbour, it’s home to what seemed to be a sizeable fishing community. A trawler or two were moored, and a few fisher-folk were about too.
Mangonui – Township
I’m going to continue with my New Zealand wanderings with another place in Northland. Mangonui is 140km north of Whangarei, and a significantly smaller place. Its white weatherboard buildings, typical to Northland, are very cute, and unlike a lot of smaller Northland villages this one is very well-kempt and slightly gentrified for holidaying Aucklanders.
Static and Silence 