Little-Earth-Lodge

30th October 2009 After our chat with Trystan last night we decided to extend our car hire until 19th November as it is just easier to get around by car, it also gives us access to some of the smaller and more intimate hostels which are a little more off the beaten track. Unfortunately we have to return the car to Auckland, but this also gives us the opportunity to take the train to Wellington, which is something we had wanted to do, but didn’t think we’d get the chance since we’d miss too much in between. So actually this way we get the best of both worlds. ...

1st November 2009 This morning we had to pack up and leave the little slice of heaven that was Little Earth Lodge. Definately one for the recommendations. We followed the Tutukaka Coast north to Matapouri Beach. We walked along the long stretch of sand, then followed a path through the long grass at the north end of the beach, this led us to a hole in a rock where we scrabbled through and clambered along the rocks on the other side to reach Mermaid Pool. This is a deep, natural rock pool with crystal-clear water flushed out by the tide. A group of lads with a rugby ball had been ahead of us on the path and were now playing with the ball near the water, when one of them inevitably had to go in and retreive the rugby ball he reported back that the water was as ‘cold as’! ...

31st October 2009 We were woken early this morning by the sun streaming in through the French windows which lead from our room directly onto the deck. A sunshine breakfast outside followed. Since the weather was so nice we decided to follow the river walk up to Whangarei Falls, reputedley the most photographed waterfalls in NZ. Starting at AH Reed Kauri Park we walked along the treetop boardwalk among the ancient and massive Kauri trees before following the river up to the falls. The foilage alongside the river contained a lot of ferns and yukkas that we would see in gardens back home. ...