On the Great Kiwi Roadie!

After arriving back to New Zealand on September 18^th we have spent the last couple of weeks zooming across the North Island. Our adventure so far has lead us all the way to Cape Reinga and as far South as New Plymouth and Ohukune. We are currently taking a week off to relax at the beach before venturing to the Hawkes Bay!

Although we have been to a crazy amount of places within our tiki touring the following ‘photolouge’ captures some of our best moments!

Tot siens,

John and Kara



Trying out a bit of bee keeping while visiting 
Kara’s relatives, Whangarei Heads,  Whangarei 

Taking a small roadside break

After a short stop in Dargaville (New Zealand’s Kumera capital) Kara enjoyed a Bubble O Bill!

Exploring the massive sand dunes at the top of 90 mile beach, Te Paki, Northland!

Hill trek at Kai Iwi Lakes

Which way should we go?

Cape Reinga! The most northern point¹ of New Zealand

1. Actually not the most northern point (that is more to the east) but they don’t have a cool lighthouse there.

Dinner JohnRoss style! Sizzlers double cheese sausages and a $5.99 Chilean red!

After a very long drive on unsealed road, we reached the Waipoua Forest in which 
stands Tane Mahuta, New Zealands Kauri giant!

Enjoying a round of golf in an unusual length course

Visiting the boiling mud pools at smelly Kuirau Park, Rotorua

Lake Rotokakahi (green lake) with Lake Tikitapu (blue lake – not in sight) in the Whakarewarewa forest before heading to Mamuka blueberry orchard for ice cream

During a trek through the giant redwoods in Rotorua we encountered a large sulfur pool

Enjoying a local delicacy (the whitebait fritter) at Mokau

After spending the day exploring New Plymouth we watched a beautiful sunset over the North Taranaki bight on the award winning coastal walkway.

The Forgotten World Highway (route 42) held a few gems, including the Republic of Whangamomona, a town that declared itself a republic after border disputes with its neighboring districts. Its previous presidents included Billy Gumboot the goat (after eating all opposition votes), Tai Potou the poodle and Murtle the Turtle Kennard (who is actually a person)

Arriving at Mount Ruapehu, one of New Zealand’s many active volcanoes (and popular ski destination). Unfortunately we parked next to a railway line that night so John could see a train go past… seems more than one went past at ungodly hours of the morning!

Visiting New Zealand’s carrot capital – Ohukune!