May 22
Day – Drive south across ferry, Omapere Point, Kaikai Beach, forrest road
Night – Trounson Kauri Park DOC campsite (power & hot showers)
We covered some serious ground today, hoping to catch up with Kyle and Silvia. After restocking our fridges, pantries, and gas tanks in Kaitaia, we pushed down highway 1. High in the mountains the road splits, with highway 1 continuing east before doubling back as highway 12. We decided to take a 100km shortcut across a ferry to the small town of Rawene. We pulled into the ferry port as the dockside vehicles began to load. If we had arrived ten minutes later, we would have waited another 1.5 hours. After picking up some local produce in Rawene, we continued on to Omapere point. The surf here was good size but on the other side of a massive harbor channel and completely inaccessible without a boat. Imagine trying to paddle under the Golden Gate Bridge. A little further south we took a gravel road to the Waimamaku River head at Kaikai beach, a spot renowned for “Hawaiian set-ups”. Unfortunately, the wind was thrashing the surf which was disorganized and closing out. Continuing on south, we entered the dark twisty roads of Waipoua Forrest reserve as night began to set. We finally reached the Trounson Kauri DOC park, a 15km detour down a gravel road. The park was well setup with hot showers and a generously sized kitchen.
Back on the road again
Loaded on the ferry - this is no Puegot Sound ferry....
Sending some aloha
Pulling into Rawene after a 15min ride
Omapere Point
We got some surfing done at Kaikai beach
Jason's wood
Caravanning South
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