Style: June 16, 2020

44 STYLE | travel
Walk among the giants
Join Barbara and Ian of Adventure Puketi for a personalised
walk and forest experience through the majestic Puketi
Forest. This stunning subtropical forest offers ancient
kauri, native birdlife, rare plant species, large flowing rivers
and epic waterfalls. Choose from a half or full day walk
to share in this natural beauty and listen to the native
birdsong. Alternatively, head into the forest at night with a
headlamp to listen to the birdsong change and observe the
nocturnal wildlife of the forest – you might even see a kiwi,
if you’re lucky.
Cape Reinga by air
Explore the top of New Zealand with Salt Air’s Fly/Drive
tour. By plane or helicopter, take in spectacular views
of the islands and Ninety Mile Beach, then land to walk
around the Cape Reinga lighthouse, see where the two
oceans meet, and visit the giant Te Paki sand dunes for
some sand-tobogganing fun. Finally, rejoin the pilot to
return via the stunning eastern coastline, where many of
the beaches are untouched and inaccessible by road.
Where to stay
Walking distance from Russell is the Eagles Nest
(60 Tapeka Road), a luxury retreat set on 75 acres and
atop its own private ridgeline that boasts spectacular views
of the Bay of Islands. Four of the five private villas have a
heated horizon-edged lap pool and all have private jacuzzis
and a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. A private chef is
available to prepare a magnificent five-course degustation
dinner in your own villa.
Adventure Puketi will guide you through the subtropical kauri forest.
The Duke of Marlborough (35 The Strand, Russell) is
a historic beauty that has been loving restored with an
outstanding restaurant and accommodation. Choose from
classic rooms with views over Russell village to exquisite
waterfront rooms and apartments, that look out to the
bay and Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Copthorne Bay of Islands Hotel (1 Tau Henare Drive,
Waitangi) has a waterfront location nestled in 60 acres of
subtropical gardens and within the Waitangi National Trust
Reserve. The hotel offers various levels of accommodation
with each featuring its own patio or balcony to take in
views of the bay, harbour, or garden. Outside, a lagoonstyle
swimming pool and rock pools of cascading water set
the mood.
Untouched beauty in Cape Reinga.
Getting there
It’s a short 50-minute flight to Kerikeri from Auckland,
though if you have time to explore Northland, consider
a round trip from Auckland by rental vehicle. It will take
three and a half hours to drive north along the east coast
and then four and a half hours back to Auckland via the
gorgeous Hokianga Harbour, where a stop at Waipoua
Forest is a must. Home to our giant kauri tree Tane
Mahuta, ‘The God of the Forest’, estimated to be between
1250 and 2500 years old.