...along the west coast heading north

Finally, I continue, quick breakfast, another pot of coffee for the road, and at 07:30 I leave the campsite...First, I drive along the east coast heading north, it's cloudy and raining on and off. Then I switch over to the west coast, my destination is Waipoua Kauri Forest. The weather improves, the sun is shining as I take a coffee and muffin break at the camp. After the obligatory shoe wash, I hike along a jungle track, passing by huge trees, tall and adorned with creepers and moss. Then I reach Te Matua Ngahere, the 'Father of the Forest', 30m tall with a massive trunk circumference, and later on Tane Mahuta, the 'God of the Forest', 50m tall and estimated to be 2000 years old. These Kauri trees used to grow everywhere on the island before colonization, today only a few have survived the deforestation of the last 150 years. It's impressive how large these trees can grow and how dense the untouched forest used to be. When I imagine what the settlers encountered when they landed here in 1850...

Continuing through green hills (which were once all jungle instead of pastures), I see a small valley opening up towards the sea. I park at the end of the gravel road and hike to the coast...deserted, the ocean roars mightily, and I simply enjoy the vastness of nature.

In the next town, I barely catch the ferry that runs hourly and cross to the other side of the fjord. Through beautiful winding roads, I make it to Ahipara today and drive onto the beach in Wrecked Bay. By the way, the bay already had that name, it has nothing to do with my car.

Tomorrow, I will continue driving to the northern tip of the island...