Northland: Whangarei Waterfall

Not far from Auckland, on a stunning scenic drive lies Northland. A place kind of untouched compared to the bustle of the big city, and a beautiful way to get back in touch with nature.

Whangarei (Pronounced with a 'F' for the 'Wh' - Fangarei) is a great township with a huge harbour, rolling hillsides and great beaches nearby.

When we were there, we saw the sign for the local waterfall and quickly decided to drop in on our way further north. Little did we know what a treat we were in for.

Less than 100m from the roadside, was a smallish river, with a bridge to cross over the causeway, and as we walked to it the sound increased dramatically, then we saw the actual waterfall and were astounded that it was 'just' there.

No walk for 1km, no hillsides to climb, it was within easy reach from the carparking facilities.

We crossed the bridge, went around the other side, down the gully and to the bottom of the falls. Stopped in the water spray, and then climbed back out of the gully.

So close to nature, so easily, and such raw power, a real spectacle that we all enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Well, I thought Craters of the Moon was astounding - and it is! but Wai-O-Tapu - WooooooW!

Instead of walking in the belly of a mountain, you are walking through tracks in the forest, around the edges of thermal pools and waterfalls, which have been there for thousands of years.

The tracks are unobtrusive in many places, more a few guide rails to help you along the journey, and the walk is not overly difficult, and well worth going the full length of the tracks.

The most astounding part here was the colours! Each pool was different depending on the minerals in the area, from yellows to rich oranges to a green so unreal I kept on saying "this looks like it's Photoshopped, I can't believe it's here in real life!"

This is more expensive than the craters, but so very worth it! If you arrive in the morning you can also see the geyser in action, which is another fantastic experience.

 

 

Driving in Auckland

We've been here getting close to a year now... and I'm finding myself driving like the locals.

At first I found the right-hand turning rule confusing... but have almost gotten used to that now.

I've had a friend here describe it as having manners for the other person, but I simply found it odd.

We both want to turn into the same street, from opposite directions. The person who is the in the lane closest has to give way to the person in the further lane... In this case, blue car gives way to red car.

So the person who 'can' turn easily, waits for the person who can't turn in as easily... however, if a car is traveling straight through the intersection behind the blue car, then the blue car can go and doesn't have to give way.



No I haven't had an accident... yet, but my brain has taken a long while to switch over.

The other thing I find most odd?
Freeway Driving in Auckland.

On the Freeways around Auckland, the speed is 100km/hour. Most times I am on the freeway, (which are generally 2 lanes) the people in the right lane are going 100, the speed they are allowed to go... and people in the left lane go anywhere from 70km-90km/hour... and sometimes slower.

The road is the same both lanes, the speed is the same, and yet there is a 30km discrepancy... today I found myself doing it as well... left lane, slow down by 20km... I think I may have been here too long ;)