Day 10: Track of the Dark Riders

We woke to a field humming to the sound of cicadas and little else, but then returned from walking the Waipu Cave Track (one hour there and back) to find a whole school had arrived to scramble/climb the rocks and go in to the caves!  The track was through ancient forest with many different species of trees, briefly out on to grassy hillside and then on to a track which contoured around a hill in deep 'Dark Rider' forest.  Eventually it climbed up and out on to the top of the hill with 180 degree views of rolling hills and forest, again as far as the sea and again very beautiful.

From Waipu we drove to Whangarei to do some more shopping, go to the bank and have lunch - at The Press, the cafe adjacent to the I-Site (tourist information centre) and to be recommended, especially the bacon and egg savouries and the yummy muffins (heated!) There was very good free wi-fi too.

After a wander around the harbour and a cuppa in a cafe next to the Marina, we drove north again, pausing to look at Whangarei Falls, a bit more touristy than we like but very dramatic and lovely.

From the Falls it was a drive along the Tutukaka Coast with its wonderful scenery, to Sandy Bay the second of our wild camps.  This was really just a patch of grass on top of the sand dunes with a loo!  By the time night fell there were three motorhomes parked on it.  We enjoyed hearing the breakers and watching the surfers through the door of the caravan.  I took my camera out to catch the sunset over the hills, fabulous and no sandflies!