Today we drove through a lovely mountain pass towards New Plymouth on the SW corner of North Island.
Later the road runs by the coast and this was our first view of the sea today, at Mokau.
These English garden flowers are regarded as weeds in New Zealand and grow wild in the verges by the roadside.
Late in the afternoon at New Plymouth we walked along the grey/black volcanic sand and paddled in the Tasman Sea.
We enjoyed dinner on the open air deck watching the sunset over the bay. Friday 6th February
We drove to Waitamo Glowworm Caves where we booked a trip. While waiting, we walked into the town and came across a logging competition. Some got through these logs in about 30 seconds.
Back at the caves we walked down into an extensive system and eventually reached a section where glowworms live on the roof of the cave. We got on a boat to glide along the underground river with thousands of glowworms sparkling above. They make an amazing sight - unfortunately photography is banned inside the cave.
www.waitomo.com
From the caves we climbed to the lookout point above the valley and enjoyed far ranging views.
Back North again, we drove into Pirongia Forest Park following the Nikau walk. It starts over a stream then across farmland.
The loop trail then leads through beautiful native forest that begins with a gravel path but continues as a track through the trees
The path reaches a wide deep stream that has to be crossed on a wire suspension bridge
Thursday 5th February
We picked up the car and drove South towards Raglan on the West Coast. On the way we visited Bridal Veil Falls and enjoyed our first walk through some native bush
The falls were spectacular dropping 150 feet off a sheer rock face,
At the top of Raglan Bay was a set of stone carvings marking the points of the compass and this is the one of the sun marking the East.
Raglan Bay is a famous surfing beach said to have the longest left hand break in the world (whatever that means). We couldn't believe we had actually reached the Tasman Sea. We had only read about it in Geography books. 
The road from Raglan to Hamilton passes through some amazing countryside. 
This is more native bush. It is interesting to see tree ferns growing in the wild
These hills by the side of the road look man made but are totally natural.
After calling in at Hamilton, we made our way to Uliveto country stay B&B where we are lodging for two nights. 
The path reaches a wide deep stream that has to be crossed on a wire suspension bridge
Thursday 5th February
We picked up the car and drove South towards Raglan on the West Coast. On the way we visited Bridal Veil Falls and enjoyed our first walk through some native bush
The falls were spectacular dropping 150 feet off a sheer rock face,
At the top of Raglan Bay was a set of stone carvings marking the points of the compass and this is the one of the sun marking the East.
Raglan Bay is a famous surfing beach said to have the longest left hand break in the world (whatever that means). We couldn't believe we had actually reached the Tasman Sea. We had only read about it in Geography books.
The road from Raglan to Hamilton passes through some amazing countryside.
This is more native bush. It is interesting to see tree ferns growing in the wild
These hills by the side of the road look man made but are totally natural.
After calling in at Hamilton, we made our way to Uliveto country stay B&B where we are lodging for two nights.
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