Day 7 Orewa to Warkworth, NZ

It is a beautiful spring day as we get ready to leave Orewa.  The key word is spring as it is in the very low sixties and windy.  The wind does die down as you head inland.

The first part of the drive is along the Hibiscus Coast which looks over the Hauraki Gulf.  The Hauraki Gulf runs into the Pacific Ocean.  It is quite a stunning drive but one only Kathy got to enjoy.  The roads are very narrow with no shoulders so site seeing and driving is out of the question.  However we did find a couple of places to stop and smell the roses.



A good looking fella on the beach





Hatfields Beach with unnamed island




Bluff overlooking Hatfields Beach



Across the road from the beach



Waiting for the tide

We pulled into a small town called Waiwere just before lunch as there is a Thermal Pool here.  However we discovered it was spring break here and the place was filled with kids.  Loud and noisy kids.  So we headed across the street to Woody’s Bar and Grill and had lunch.  I ordered a hamburger and was a little surprised at the toppings.  It included a meat patty, lettuce, tomato, fried egg, cheese, bacon, pineapple and beetroot.  I had it without the beetroot and pineapple.



Woody's Bar and Grill, Waiwere, NZ

After lunch we continued north but now the route turned inland and the terrain changed rapidly.  We were now driving through very green rolling hills, some of which had sheep on them.  It really is quite beautiful.

Waiwere to Warkworth

Along Hwy 17 outside Puhoi

Waiwere to Warkworth

We made one last stop before picking a campground and that was at the Honey Centre.  They had every kind of flavored honey you could imagine and it was made on site.  Needless to say they got some of our money and there goes the diet.

We decided to stop in Sandspit which is a very small town if it is a town.  Not sure.  It is just a few miles east of Warkworth and has a nice campground right on the water. 



Kawua Bay



Beach in Sandspit with tide out.



We have decided to stay here for two nights as they are a couple of things we want to see in the area.  It is going to be a great trip.