Kerikeri to Matauri Bay

We stayed 2 further nights at the Kerikeri RSA where, especially on the 2nd night it looked as though there was a motorhome convention being held there with about 10, mostly biggish buses or motorhomes, being parked up. We have to wonder if the RSA members will get a bit annoyed with all the motorhomes taking up parking spaces but I guess most of the visitors spend some money over the bar and in the restaurant so that is extra turnover for the club. Maybe they will eventually need to restrict the number of NZMCA vans parking there.
On Monday we intended to drive out to the Kerikeri Inlet but one of our neighbours said there wasn't much to see out there and suggested that we go to Opito Bay instead which is what we did. It's a beautiful little bay round towards the north-eastern tip of the Kerikeri Inlet and it looked as though there would be good fishing around the rocks which were accessible at low tide so we set ourselves up there for a couple of hours - plenty of nibbles and very relaxing but no dinner!

The hunter gatherer's woman at the fishing spot!

Tuesday morning was washing day for us at the Kerikeri Laundrette which is by far the busiest laundrette we have seen on our travels. They have a contract with one of the residential care homes and lots of locals and visitors use it as well with them being open 365 days of the year. The owner was very friendly and chatty and was happy for us to charge up our tablet there and I was happy to give her some advice for her sore shoulder and foot!
Then we were on the road again, heading north out towards the coast, towards Matauri Bay our first detour being up the gravel road signed Kauri Cliffs as we were interested to have a peek at the exclusive, very expensive Golf Club there. However all we could find was a locked gate with a security intercom unit beside. We couldn't even get a glimpse of the course and knew we would probably be turned down if we used the intercom to ask for a viewing so it was turn around time!

As close as we got!

Matauri Bay is yet another lovely spot with a camping ground right on the waters edge but of course no freedom camping allowed. We walked to the end of the camp ground and up the big hill where there is a memorial to the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior by the French, the ship itself now lying out from the coast here, just beyond the Cavalli Islands. There are good views to be had along the coast and out over the islands although it was a little hazy when we were there.

The view to Matauri Bay from the memorial hill

Coming out of Matauri Bay we intended to continue on to Te Ngaere Bay which is only a few km down the road but the navigator (me!!) missed the right turn and after wondering why it was taking so long to get there as well as thinking that some of the scenery looked familiar we ended up way back at State Highway 10 from whence we had come!! Oh dear!, but it was a nice drive!