TA Day 11, Paihia to Waikare – 13 km + 3 km
The trail is on water as I kayak up the beautiful Waikare Estuary.
TA Day 10, Kerikeri to Paihia – 24 km
It’s “easy tramping” all day to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and finally Pahia.
TA audio narrative: the start
The start of the Te Araroa is a trial of sand, wind, rain and mud, but it’s worth it.
TA Day 9 – zero day, Kaeo
I take my first “zero day” near Kaeo and eat mussels, oysters and take a huge nap.
TA Day 8, Puketi Forest to Kerikeri – 27 km
It’s a long walk mostly on easy forest track and farm fields to Rainbow Falls and Kerikeri.
TA Day 7, Apple Dam to Puketi Forest camp – 36 km
A long walk through the Puketi forest takes me past manuka honey bees and a kauri forest.
TA Day 6, Umaumokaroo to Apple Dam – 26 km
The mud continues until the bush abruptly ends at rolling hills headed toward more bush.
TA Day 5, Takahue Saddle Road to below Umaumakaroo – 16 km
Tuis, bell birds, roots and mud – the deepest I’ve seen in my entire life – in the Raetea Forest.
TA Day 4, Utea Park to Ahipara, 32 km
On the final day walking the Ninety Mile Beach, the wind changes and brings blow carts my way.
TA Day 3, Maunganui Bluff to Utea Park – 30 km
Awakened by wild horses, the Blissful Hiker heads back onto the long, lonely Ninety Mile Beach.
