On our first day in the Bay of Islands we decided to take a tour out to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach. The tour included stops at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom and the Gumdiggers Park.
Inside the gallery at the Kauri Kingdom there was a staircase to the second floor carved inside a giant Kauri log.
The gallery had some amazing pieces of carved art from Kauri wood.
We toured the Gumdiggers Park after visiting the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. A partially uncovered, over 100,000 year old giant Kauri tree was felled by a cataclysmic event along with much of the Kauri forest.
Restored 1800's Gumdiggers camp at the Park. The Gumdiggers dug for the Kauri resin that was carved into jewelry and used for linoleum and varnish.
Squid carved into a Kauri log at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom.
Karen by carved Kauri logs at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom.
The logs at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom are recovered from bogs and swamps.
Bill at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom.
Karen with some Kauri carvings.
Inside the gallery at the Kauri Kingdom there was a staircase to the second floor carved inside a giant Kauri log.
Bill inside the staircase.
The gallery had some amazing pieces of carved art from Kauri wood.
More carvings.
We toured the Gumdiggers Park after visiting the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. A partially uncovered, over 100,000 year old giant Kauri tree was felled by a cataclysmic event along with much of the Kauri forest.
Restored 1800's Gumdiggers camp at the Park. The Gumdiggers dug for the Kauri resin that was carved into jewelry and used for linoleum and varnish.
Gumdigger equipment at the restored camp.
Duck in Gumdiggers Park.
Bill and Karen on a huge Kauri bench outside the Gumdiggers Park.
Gumdigger boots hanging on a fence outside the Park.
Bill looking out to Cape Reinga.
The Cape Reinga Lighthouse was located at the tip of the cape.
Bill and Karen at Cape Reinga.
Tasman Sea meeting the Pacific Ocean at Cape Reinga.
Karen and Bill at the bottom after taking the dune ride.
Another stop along 90 Mile Beach with a nice view.
Karen on 90 Mile Beach.
Bill and Karen on the 90 Mile Beach.
Mangonui was a very picturesque little village.
Karen with the dock and bay in the background.
Local fisherman casting from the dock. Nice hat!
Gulls lined up on the rail along the road to Mangonui.
Watch out for penguins!!
After Gumdiggers Park we went to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand.
Bill looking out to Cape Reinga.
The Cape Reinga Lighthouse was located at the tip of the cape.
Bill and Karen at Cape Reinga.
Tasman Sea meeting the Pacific Ocean at Cape Reinga.
The bus drove along a section of 90 Mile Beach and stopped at this huge sand dune for dune riding.
The climb up the dune to take the ride down on a boogey board was a long tough climb.
Karen and Bill at the bottom after taking the dune ride.
Another stop along 90 Mile Beach with a nice view.
Karen on 90 Mile Beach.
Bill and Karen on the 90 Mile Beach.
On the way back to Paihai we stopped at the town of Mangonui. This reproduction of a Maori vessel was in the bay.
Mangonui was a very picturesque little village.
Mangonui is also famous for the Mangonui Fish Shop but we decided to pass on the fish.
Karen with the dock and bay in the background.
Local fisherman casting from the dock. Nice hat!
Gulls lined up on the rail along the road to Mangonui.
Watch out for penguins!!
Back at Cook's Lookout the moon was shining over the Bay of Islands