While on the east coast of the Northland Peninsula we chose 2 cool hikes on the same day. One was a 4 mile loop hike to Smugglers Bay and the other was a bucket list hike for many up a mountain called Mount Manaia. In New Zealand the “wh” is pronounced like an “F”. Our favorite town name so far is “Whakapapa.” Try to pronounce that one when not in public.
A view of McLeod Bay from atop Manaia. Gorgeous.
Another view from the summit. The town of Parua Bay is a cool spot to sit on the beach or find a nice cafe for lunch. Cafes in New Zealand are the most common type of restaurant. They are a cross between a greasy spoon diner and upscale cafe back home. Most are very good.
We did get a sneak peak of the summit views about half way up. Many tracks for tramping (trails for hiking) are created with an amazing amount of well built staircases in the woods. Not usually our favorite, but when in Rome they say. This walk had over 1000 steps according to google. We did not count them ourselves.
A view of the pointy summit as we approached.
This sign at the summit was interesting as are most signs describing the spiritual meaning of the place to the Maori. We heeded all warnings and were two of only 5 people out on the viewing platform. The other 3 were from New Mexico back home, they were on Winter break from school we presumed. Nice folks.
Next on the daily agenda was a loop hike to Smuggler’s Bay. I figured Laurie was up to something like sneaking a picture of me ready to get going.
First stop was an old WWII gun battery. Designed to look like a farmers barn to trick the would-be invaders. As it had signage on it we were not fooled. Pretty cool history though.
Glad they never had a chance to test it out.
This is the view from inside. Imagine being on watch duty peering through this window looking for the Japanese invaders?
A stiles is a way to get over a fence. Usually a fence to contain the livestock in a farmers field but not always. This is a fairly simple version of one that seems to be common in New Zealand.
New Zealand has some of the most fascinating trees we have seen. Somehow, as in the States, conservation efforts helped save some of the oldest specimens.
Any time a path leads into a cool forested area with a warning sign that significant falls exist ahead is a good indication we are going to have fun.
Here is one of those precarious spots along the trail out to the point, or as locals call them the “head”.
The track out to Busby’s Head. Fabulous walk it was. We did take care to stay in the center of the track as a fall to one side or the other would have been problematic to say the least.
A view of the beach at Smuggler’s Bay from the Busby Head.
We arrived near the beach and decided to go off track and walk the rocky beach to the cove around the corner. Usually we would stay on a track but we did not figure anyone would mind us walking on the rocks by the shore at low tide.
Come on Laurie! Looks like a nice beach for a swim!
The water was not bath tub hot, but certainly nice enough for a quick dip. Crystal clear and refreshing.
No post from New Zealand would be complete without some photos of livestock. Many were taking their siesta but one cow gone rogue decided to stop on the track hoping for a scratch. We did indeed give him a scratch and he licked our hands with his very course tongue.
We end this post with a picture of the nicely landscaped driveway to our little Air-BNB and the owners horses clothed in thin blankets. Most horses have blankets all day. We presume it is due to the intense sun rays as it certainly was not a bit chilly here.