Omana regional park to Kaiaua

Dusk was approaching as we left the Formosa Golf Course and we were feeling pretty tired it having been a long course to walk around and we also had lots of putting on and taking off of wet weather gear!

Dusk over Formosa

So we only drove as far as Omana Regional Park which is on the coast just before you get to Maraetai. Its a pretty spot overlooking Waiheke Island but with all the rain we have had the land was boggy so overnight parking was only allowed in the bus park. There was already a convoy of 4 motorhomes there - they are from New Plymouth and are all travelling together in convoy. We have all been ending up in the same places as we have travelled today!

Rest stop on way to Duder trig point

After we arrived we walked up the soggy hill to the lookout where we had expansive views over Waiheke and the inner Hauraki Gulf. After a peaceful night we thought of doing the hour long perimeter walk around the park but as it was drizzling yet again we opted to move on through Maraetai and along the lovely Maraetai Drive which hugs the very scenic coast and is known as the Pohutakawa Coast after our lovely red-flowering "Christmas Trees". It wasn't long before we reached Duder Regional Park where, as the sky had cleared, we decided to walk up to the trig point for more amazing views. The farm track was ever so wet, muddy, slippery and covered in "farm poo" but initially it was quite clear looking out over the coast. Just before we reached the trig however the rain started again and the views disappeared into the mist. Although we had rain jackets our lower halves were a trifle wet by the time we got back to the bus.

Same view without T (not the same is it?!)

We then stopped briefly in tiny Clevedon which is famous for its Sunday markets before having lunch in the bus at Kawakawa Bay and then driving on down to Orere Point which Len decided was not the fishing spot he was looking for. A little further on is Tapapakanga Regional Park which is right on the water and was asking for a rod but, like the fisherman who was just leaving, Len once again had no bites. He is pleased to have finished the unsuccessful bait that he last bought as maybe that has been the problem!

Tonight we were heading for the free parking area at Kaiaua - Rays Rest - which is a very popular stop over for motorhomers being an internationally important wetland and a "stop over" for many of Miranda's migratory birds. However we somehow stopped a little early and have joined 3 other motorhomes at the Kaiaua Boat ramp. No worries, we can always have breakfast at Rays Rest in the morning!