Northlands
In order to get a true feel for the North Island we thought we should motor up to the northern reaches of Paihia and the Bay of Islands up on the northern peninsula. On our way there, we stopped in Auckland to spend a few days exploring NZ's largest city and to ring in the New Year.
We hit a couple major sights, with a trip up to the top of the Sky Needle and a visit to see the wildlife at the Auckland Zoo, but perhaps most memorable was a large American goods store we happened upon at an Auckland mall. The kids were so pleased to see some old friends!
While at the zoo, we were able to visit the Bug Lab, a temporary exhibit presented by TePapa. This blockbuster science exhibition features massive 3-D bug models within different interactive chambers. It was a highly immersive experience that succeeded in making you feel as small as a bug and quite easy prey to some of the larger looming ones.
Goat Island Discovery Center was awesome! This gem was located about halfway between Auckland and our destination in Pahia. We spent a full day here exploring the centre, learning about the native sea life and then snorkeling in the reserve. It was also at this point in the trip that the kids decided to put on a Kiwi costume for all public appearances.
From the Discovery Centre, you can walk right down to the beach, rent snorkel gear and see many of the creatures you learned about and/or held. The water was still a bit turbid from an earlier storm, however we were able to see quite a wide variety of fish, including a few large snapper.
Our next stop was in the beach town of Paihia. It serves as a bit of gateway to the summer bustling of boaters in the Bay of Islands. This area is aptly named as the aquamarine water was populated by countless islands and people moving about over the water by all means possible.
We agreed to let the kids get a birds-eye view with an afternoon parasail. Kids will try anything! It is not until you are out on the water and the kids are all geared up and wide-eyed that they inform you that a parent needs to go along to serve as ballast. Well played Carrie.
On the way back south we made a few side trips to waterfalls, tramps, and beaches. While in Raglan, our chance to surf the world-renowned break was washed out by a tropical storm. Luckily this didn't discourage the Kiwi from making an appearance and allowed us some inside time to watch both the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies. It was a lot of rain.
Embarrassing Kiwi Car Escort!
Paybacks are a Stitch!
