From Auckland to Cooper's Beach

Today's destination - Cooper's Beach and Ben and Daphne's holiday hide-a-way.

It is quite a drive and we will be traveling best part of the day.
We pass through Warkworth, Wellsford, Dargaville. In Dargaville we stop for some refreshments and take a  moment to stretch our legs.

At Jo's Home Cookery we order coffee, tea and some cake. I have a sort of carrot cake only no carrot buy kumera. Mum is into her donuts - with jam and cream.
Seeing the order took longer than we envisaged we asked for 'Coffees to Go'.
Time to hit the road again

We wizz through Omapere and at Rawene we take the  ferry to cross over to the other side..
Ben purchases a smoked fish before we set off. (Can't get any fresher as that we were told)

Another fun experience - the ferry.

When we reach Te Manahuta we stop and take a small break.

This is native Kauri Tree country.
The largest Kauri Tree is believed to be in the Waipoua Forest.

I cannot stress enough how wonderful this adventure all is. What a beautiful country.

We bought some Hot Chips at a mobile take away trailer.
Our usual accompaniment of mayonaise wasn't missed. How different our chips to the kiwi ones.
There was more choice to snack and Ben took a cheese toasted sandwich.

Onward to Kaitaia where we purchased some necessary shopping for our stay.
I was surprised to see such a huge supermarket here.

Before long we arrived at our destination -  Cooper's Beach.
Ben en Daphne's home away from home.

Awesome - this is beautiful.