Bay of Islands

We spend two nights in the sub-tropical Bay of Islands. The weather is excellent (by our standards anyway, though the locals say it's a little cold!). This corner of New Zealand's North Island is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea.

Activities on offer here are cruises and fast boat rides to the Hole in the Rock, day trips to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, and many others. We originally plan a sunset cruise of the islands, but unfortunately this is cancelled so we spend our time lazing on the beach and pottering round the villages of Paihia and Russell. Russell is a short ferry trip away, and there we see New Zealand's oldest wooden church.

Accommodation

Sea Spray Motor Lodge - this apartment style accommodation is a ten-minute walk from Paihia, but directly opposite the beach. The rooms are somewhat rundown, but clean and fairly spacious.