Canadian Aussie: Journey to Russell, Bay of Islands

After Dave's caving adventure we looked island and started to make our way north and west. It was rainy off and on but much warmer as we were approaching the subtropical area of New Zealand. Our plan was to eventually stay in Russell on the Bay of Islands and just relax and get out of the camper for a few days.

Flax plant by the roadside. These long leaves are still used for weaving baskets and hats. The leaf can be stripped to reveal fibre used to make clothing.

Gum was their 3rd largest export next to gold and lumber.

Baylys Beach. At low tide it is a 110 km drivable beach. We did not drive it as our Britz van company forbids this but we did see the ATV's and 4 wheel drives exploring it.

The huge kauri trees that were bled for their sap (gum) in days gone by.
There was an area set aside in The Waipoua forest so everyone could walk through these giants.

Wild roosters begging at the side of the road.

This is our last view of The Tasman Sea at Opononi
at the mouth of Hokianga Harbour. These sand tunes are
used for sand boarding but no one was boarding that day.

From Opononi we travelled right through to Russell on the East coast. It was only approximately 70 (105 km) miles from coast to coast in that area.
This is the view from our campsite here in Russell. The weather has been very good.

Dave is "watering the duck!"

quail out for a cruise in our park

The pizza oven. Never know what is going to show up!

There are 3 different "beggars" tonight. The ducks, weka hen and of course the gull.

Sunset from our site.

"ARE YOU GOING TO INVITE ME IN OR NOT?"

Pictures taken when we walked about this little village of 800 people.

We walked to this lookout just a ways from our site. This is the historic
Flagpole that was erected when the Maori peoples signed the treaty with the British to make
New Zealand a British Colony. It was not a peaceful mission as not all the tribes agreed but eventually all concerned were at peace with the decision.