Outrigger Motel Paihia

North to Cape Reinga: Puketi Kauri Forest

by darthmilmo

I have heard good things about the trip up north to Cape Reinga. It is one of those places that can be spectacular on clear day, but utterly dull on cloudy days. Therefore, I was a bit worried about the weather. As luck had it the day I went up north was filled with clear blue skies with a few powdery clouds that added character to the sky. Today started early as we left Paihia and stopped at Puketi Kauri Forest to hug a Kauri tree. The 10 minute walk allows you to see this amazing tree up front. Check out my local custom tips for more on the Kauri tree.

Million Dollar Drive

by iandsmith

It was like, we've done Pekapeka Bay, it's overcast, might as well go for a drive.
Thus is was that we discovered Million Dollar Drive. What a name; I loved it and I loved the drive. It takes you above Tauranga and Matauri bays and in between gives you ocean and land scenery that makes you want to keep on driving forever.
Sadly, in the VT format it doesn't quite do them justice but, if you blow them up you'll get some idea of how good it was.
If you're looking for it on a map, it's the road that loops east of Kaeo and when you see some of the views you'll find it hard to disagree with the title given to road.
There are signs indicating a tourist drive so just follow those and you'll end up where we did.

A booming place with nowhere to go

by iandsmith

"Rough guide"

Paihia, pronounced py-he-a is unashamedly here for the tourists, which is where VT comes in.
The winding narrow road off highway 1leads to a town labelled the jewel of the Bay of Islands.
It’s a place that certainly has some things going for it. The Bay of Islands itself is a pleasant enough place, more particularly enjoyable if you like the water which, no matter where you stay, is apt to be close by whichever of the myriad of accommodation houses you may be staying at.
Whether you want to chill out or have a good time with the family there’s sure to be something at or around Paihia.
Though it's ideally situated there's not a great deal of suitable land for buildings, and I include some that have already been built on!. So, what you see today will probably be close to what you see next time with expansion taking place at other locations nearby.