Monday 22 February 2021

Taiharuru

I heard a beach mentioned, thought oh yeah, I know where that is.  But when I came to think about it, I couldn't remember what it looked like.  I have a clear recollection of attending a Christmas party at a workmate's house there, around 15 years ago, can remember the house and everyone at the party clearly but not what the beach looks like.   Maybe I didn't go to the beach?

The day was warm and clear and the more I thought about it, the more I felt like going for a drive on a road that meanders along a narrow peninsula not far from Whangarei, past beaches and through very pleasant countryside, to Taiharuru.

Still waters of an inlet on the left

Waves crashing onto rocks on the right

I found the house where I had once partied and remembered catching a glimpse of the beach as I turned into my host's street. This time I got out of the car and had a good look around.  And consulted my map.  For years I've had an excellent map of Northland.  It's now been unfolded and refolded so many times it is in pieces.  I use Google Maps a lot, wonderful for finding my way to somewhere unfamiliar but you have to know where you are headed, right?  I had entered Taiharuru into my phone Maps but the street sign told me I was at Mc Gregor's Bay.  I now know it is also known at Taiharuru Bay.  Luckily, I'd stopped at the tourist information centre as I headed out of town and replaced my old map.  I was delighted to find a newer version of the same map.  Nothing can replace a paper map in my book for giving you the bigger picture, for seeing the lay of the land, the geography.

Looking left from the carpark

Looking right.  The little boy was obviously familiar with the beach at high tide.  He stopped and waited for a wave to recede before scampering around past the rocks.

My paper map told me I would come to Taiharuru Heads if I followed the road to the end and sure enough a few kms along the road, only about 50km from home, there it was.  Well worth the drive.




On my way back home I turned up one of the very few side roads, Mc Rae Road.  It was signposted as if it were a public road but only a little way along there was a farm gate.  It was open but made me think perhaps I'd come to private land.   I ventured a little further until I came to another gate.  The map shows the road runs down to the water on the inlet side.  I must find out if it's a public road and, if so, make another visit.

View from the second gate up Mc Rae Road

16 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your trip to the lovely beaches. Beautiful scenery there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a lovely area, Rosie. My family and I will be going there for a weekend in a month or so.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Yes, it is, Adrian. Imagine the photos you would take here!

      Delete
  3. Such fun to wander about like this and relive some old memories in the process. The area is very beautiful indeed, and I would want to return often. If I lived close to you, I would beg to come along. I'd bring lunch too, with wine and cheeses. And I'd look at birds!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The sad thing is, David, there is not a lot of birdlife. Many voluntary organisations are working hard to eliminate the predators but I'm not sure they are winning.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, my goodness, it's all so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I thought too, mimi. I had a lovely day meandering along the peninsula.

      Delete
  6. It certainly was worth the drive, Pauline...and thanks for taking me along with you to such a stunningly beautiful, and what looks like, peaceful area.

    Take good care. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It did me good to be there, Lee. Hardly a car on the road and the only people I saw all day were the young man and the little boy.

      Delete
  7. Beautiful views - and I agree about paper maps. On road trips with my brother, he uses the GPS on his phone (he's the driver), but I still use a printed road atlas for the basic planning - and collect updated printed tourist maps along the way where ever I can find them as well (tourist centers, hotels etc)... :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a pretty beach to visit. I love those quiet little out-of-the-way places. I, too, use Google Maps a lot - once I've sorted out where I'm going on my atlas!
    Find out about that road - we've been on two public roads that had gates, and another road that was full of cattlestops LOL

    ReplyDelete
  9. I never knew that place was there, thanks for the tip, I'll check it out next time I'm down that way, looks good now that people have gone home from holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hope you're safe and sound over your way, Pauline.....News is coming through this morning about the quakes...take very good care. Thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Proper maps is where it’s at, my husband never used anything else. I sat next to him, map on lap, finger on route, and heigh presto, we have arrived where we meant to be.

    Lovely to go for a ramble-in-car along such a beautiful route as the one you took. Happy Days.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your "silence" is not golden, Pauline. I'm concerned....I do so hope all is well with you and your loved ones.

    ReplyDelete

I love to know who's visiting. Leave me a sign!