Travel
-
@NTA I reckon start hunting now for a holiday home or two and just take day trips. It’s all about chilling at that time of year so look for somewhere close to an east coast beach. Might be a big ask but you might get lucky.
A campground cabin/unit would be ideal if you really want the summer vibe IMO. Share a few brews with the neighbours, scrounge some fresh catch etcYeah, we stayed in Mangonui which was pretty handy to go north and south and to Kaitaia for a culture shock.
-
We had plans to do a sleeper train trip to Amsterdam and Vienna but gave up as everything was booked up for months. Settled on a train holiday to East Yorkshire and Carlisle with buses where needed.
Actually really relaxing and convenient with modern tech and travel apps. And the scenery is stunning.
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
Touristy shit I guess.
I like to get out in nature, but also being summer we'd hit the beach and look at anything Northland specifically offers that other places don't.
The diving and deepsea fishing is great.
4wd as well.
https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/offroading/new-zealand/northland
Seeing the Ta$man hit the Pacific off Cape Reinga can be spectacular
Also parasailing https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g1747761-Activities-c61-t212-Northland_Region_North_Island.html
If you are sick of mammals
(I guess it isn't north at all but I always had a soft spot for Great Barrier Island)Nature and conservation
Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island was New Zealand's first Nature Reserve. It is one of the last remnants of primeval New Zealand, and as such is an invaluable refuge for rare and endangered plants, birds and animals.
-
This article I saw today
Stuff Travel Go-To Guide: Northland & Bay of Islands
Stuff Travel's guide of must dos, hidden gems, where to eat and where to stay in Northland & Bay of Islands.
-
-
@Machpants I reckon that list is pretty arbitrary. I wouldn't stay in Opua as there is nothing around, but I like not having to drive once I setlle in.
Two of my great Uncles names are recorded on the Kohukohu Gates of Remembrance. One of them is allegedly responsible for causing the fire that burned half the town down in the 1890's, but again I don't think as a town it has much to recommend.
@NTA 4-5 days you're really not going to see much. There's are scores of beautiful bays and beaches all up the east Coast, many with camping grounds but they are likely all already booked out - and do you really want to fly across the Ta$man to go to a beach?
Personally I think Paihia is a dump despite it's popularity. I'd be inclined to base myself in Doubtless Bay. Do a day trip to Cape Reinga (and Spirits Bay), go out on a boat from either Mangonui or Whangaroa. Spend one day driving up the East Coast and another back to Auckland by cutting through to Kohukohu - get the ferry to Rawene, check out the Hokianga and say g'day to Tanemahuta. If it's your sort of thing the Kauri Museum at Matakohe...
-
There are some great little galleries and workshops too https://nzjane.com/northland-art-galleries-workshops-and-exhibitions-worth-a-visit/
-
@nostrildamus oh! and the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei
Hundertwasser Art Centre
Hundertwasser Art Centre welcomes you to experience art and architecture in harmony with nature and individual creativity. Discover the life and the legacy of visionary, painter, ecologist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
-
@nostrildamus oh! and the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei
Hundertwasser Art Centre
Hundertwasser Art Centre welcomes you to experience art and architecture in harmony with nature and individual creativity. Discover the life and the legacy of visionary, painter, ecologist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Yeah that's awesome
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
and if his art/architecture makes you want to poo piss or puke there is always this stop in Kawakawa
Hundertwasser Toilets
Modern art meets modern convenience in possibly the world's most architecturally important public bathroom.
-
Several random responses, some Northland advice, before I get on to my return to school"what I did on my holidays" essay...
It occurred to me whilst waiting at BNE airport to fly to Sydney: why don't airports have observation desks?
Yeah they have halls front terminals and you can see 2 seconds of plane taking of or landing ... but can't watch them fly in or off.
I always enjoyed trips to Christchurch Airport as they had an observation deck on the roof.
Back in the day I recall Auckland did too.
Airports I go to now don't.
Just occurred to me as we elected to grab coffee and breakfast at a pop up Coffee Club on the pedestrian concourse outside the terminal when we left for Sydney as it was outside the aircon.
If you add on the ability to watch plants fly in and out I wonder if airports are missing a trick in not seeing up cafes and thing on the roof ...
-
Northland ...
Avoid Kaitaia. Last time I was back it was a complete shit hole. Beyond sithole in fact.
Admittedly it was 4 years ago, but crikey it had gone backwards. Avoid avoid avoid.
If you do get there though try the Tutu if it is still going. Big four wheel bus thing that goes up over the dunes and around the reef at Ahipara. You'll see where the Milky Bar Kid ad was shot.
Ahipara good spot for a swim if right time of year.
As someone said the drive up 90 Mile Beach is worth it. But don't use your car! Salt water doesn't do it much good. Take the trip from the BOI.
But definitely get up to Reinga. Fucking magical place. I got a real amazing buzz last time I was there.
Manzoni & Coopers Bach/Taipa is good. Again, the Motor Inn at Taipa had faded a bit last time I was there. Carrington on the Karikari Peninsula mY be worth a look?
If you're choosing a cruise between Mangonui and Whangaroa I'd choose Whangaroa. Seriously underrated scenic location.
But do the F&C at the Mangonui fish shop.
Take Mahuta a nk brained. As whoever mentioned, if you're heading from the North, head over the Mangamukas (take your Travacalm) but go through Kohukohu, ferry to Rawene, the Waippoua Forest.
Oh yeah, and there's stuff in the BoI too.
All I've got.
-
-
Sydney...
Had some thought that I'd try and link up with Sydney Ferners while here ... but of course that didn't happen ... unless we do absolutely nothing tomorrow...
Anyway...
... some Sydney highlights ...
Saturday: Arrived late morning. How the fuck do you spend $300 on lunch? Fuck you Barangaroo. Nice afternoon though.
Pissed watching ABs.
Sunday: hungunder. Walking tour of The Rocks. Very recommended.
Beer at nice beer place in Rocks.
Weather spectacularly awesome.
Dinner at Bavarian pub just down the road.
Monday: Morning walk through Barangaroo to SHB by self.
Shopping at David Jones. Spent far too much money. Bought new blazer for self. Went halves with Ms Boo Jr for small scrap of black fabric to wear under her recently purchased blazer. Blazer cost less than 20% of said rag. Mortgage renegotiated to cover cost.
Evening: night time dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Fucking awesome. Glass walled boat. Nice food. Again: Recommended.
Tuesday: Madame Tussauds. Way better than I expected. Really enjoyable.
Then on to Sea Life Aquarium. Was not bad. Lots of peeps. Decent value for money as took a while. Mrs Boo over it toward end as too many peeps, and too long on feets.
Lunch at pub next door. Hit spot.
Evening... highlight of trip.
Moulin Rouge.
Booked after we booked trip to Sydders.
Was a case of "we're going to Sydney, what's on?".
What a whole lot Iof of fun!
Have vague recollection of the movie that I was not too fussed about.
This show has updated the music. Sampled all the songs. Made lots jokes.
Any Sydney Ferners who have not seen it do yourselves a favour and go.
Massive fun: little more angsty after the intermission but the finale(s) make up for it.
Wednesday: Taronga Zoo. Ferry over. Thought we'd be back just after lunch (I.e., 1pm return ferry), but barely made the 4:10pm. Again recommended.
Tomorrow (Thursday): nothing planned. Buying cheap tacky souvenirs for work peeps. Weather meant to be crap. So nothing too much planned except maybe lunch down Barangaroo.
On the subject of weather... been awesome. Forecast has been shit. Managed to avoid most of it though. Mrs Boo convinced today would be a write off after storms and thunder all night. But cleared up with perfect timing for cruise and zoo.
Storms tonight not yet happened but radar shows bearing down.
Otherwise weather has been awesome.
Sydney CBD shit though. Melbourne and Brisbane much nicer CBDs to move around.
Summary: Sydney definitely worth vist and will be back ro explore more.
-
But do the F&C at the Mangonui fish shop.
It's an ok fish and chip shop but it's more Aussie style than NZ. It wasn't until we got down to Hastings and went to a local fish and chip shop that my Palestinian and Aussie mate's realised the difference.
I just recall having the best f&c I had for over 10years when I stopped there with Mum ... but that's not surprising when you think about it.
-
Sydney...
Had some thought that I'd try and link up with Sydney Ferners while here ... but of course that didn't happen ... unless we do absolutely nothing tomorrow...
Anyway...
... some Sydney highlights ...
Saturday: Arrived late morning. How the fuck do you spend $300 on lunch? Fuck you Barangaroo. Nice afternoon though.
Pissed watching ABs.
Sunday: hungunder. Walking tour of The Rocks. Very recommended.
Beer at nice beer place in Rocks.
Weather spectacularly awesome.
Dinner at Bavarian pub just down the road.
Monday: Morning walk through Barangaroo to SHB by self.
Shopping at David Jones. Spent far too much money. Bought new blazer for self. Went halves with Ms Boo Jr for small scrap of black fabric to wear under her recently purchased blazer. Blazer cost less than 20% of said rag. Mortgage renegotiated to cover cost.
Evening: night time dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Fucking awesome. Glass walled boat. Nice food. Again: Recommended.
Tuesday: Madame Tussauds. Way better than I expected. Really enjoyable.
Then on to Sea Life Aquarium. Was not bad. Lots of peeps. Decent value for money as took a while. Mrs Boo over it toward end as too many peeps, and too long on feets.
Lunch at pub next door. Hit spot.
Evening... highlight of trip.
Moulin Rouge.
Booked after we booked trip to Sydders.
Was a case of "we're going to Sydney, what's on?".
What a whole lot Iof of fun!
Have vague recollection of the movie that I was not too fussed about.
This show has updated the music. Sampled all the songs. Made lots jokes.
Any Sydney Ferners who have not seen it do yourselves a favour and go.
Massive fun: little more angsty after the intermission but the finale(s) make up for it.
Wednesday: Taronga Zoo. Ferry over. Thought we'd be back just after lunch (I.e., 1pm return ferry), but barely made the 4:10pm. Again recommended.
Tomorrow (Thursday): nothing planned. Buying cheap tacky souvenirs for work peeps. Weather meant to be crap. So nothing too much planned except maybe lunch down Barangaroo.
On the subject of weather... been awesome. Forecast has been shit. Managed to avoid most of it though. Mrs Boo convinced today would be a write off after storms and thunder all night. But cleared up with perfect timing for cruise and zoo.
Storms tonight not yet happened but radar shows bearing down.
Otherwise weather has been awesome.
Sydney CBD shit though. Melbourne and Brisbane much nicer CBDs to move around.
Summary: Sydney definitely worth vist and will be back ro explore more.
Mate, we're not synching on anything today.
I thought that Moulin Rouge was pretty average - I had seen Mary Poppins a few weeks before which was much better. Moulin Rouge just felt like worse versions of pop songs to me.
Assume you're staying in Barangaroo by your frequenting of the restaurants and attractions around there? As a suggestion, rather than eat there again you could walk down to Chinatown via Darling Harbour and eat some good marginally less expensive food. It's a pleasant walk with the (relatively) newly developed conference centre and Darling Square. Let me know if you want any restaurant suggestions down that end.
Yeah, Sydney has no proper central city focus as it's just one long street in kind of four separate areas.
-
@Nepia
Yeah just next to Barangaroo: The York. Only a couple of blocks up the hill. Very average and not value for money, but adequate.First time in Sydney really. So just getting the lay of the land.
If you gave me a choice of Mary Poppins and Moulin Rouge I'd have probably picked Poppins.
Mrs Boo picked Moulin Rouge.
So perhaps case of exceeding expectations, but really enjoyed it.
Also first show I can recall going to since South Pacific in the early 90s at the Mercury...
Forgot to mention we made it to Paddy's Market on Sunday a.m. Bought a knock off tee shirt. But was expecting Victoria Market so was disappointed.
-
-
@Nepia
Yeah just next to Barangaroo: The York. Only a couple of blocks up the hill. Very average and not value for money, but adequate.First time in Sydney really. So just getting the lay of the land.
If you gave me a choice of Mary Poppins and Moulin Rouge I'd have probably picked Poppins.
Mrs Boo picked Moulin Rouge.
So perhaps case of exceeding expectations, but really enjoyed it.
Also first show I can recall going to since South Pacific in the early 90s at the Mercury...
Forgot to mention we made it to Paddy's Market on Sunday a.m. Bought a knock off tee shirt. But was expecting Victoria Market so was disappointed.
Yeah, Paddy’s is average, especially compared with Victoria Market. I live just up the tram line from it.
I saw Book of Mormon, Hamilton (twice), Mary Poppins, then Moulin Rouge so it was pushing shit up hill compared to those.
Bummer about The York, but good intel so I can warn people.
Did you go to the Sea Museum? Or outvoted? They have a sub you can wander through.
