With the forecast of another stunning blue sky day in the North, Brien O'Brien called me and suggested we fly somewhere for lunch - what a great idea! I have never flown into Whananaki so I suggested we go there. There is a pretty good store there so something nice for lunch beckoned. I had not flown on the coast North of Whangarei Heads so I was keen to have a look, and it was stunning! We took off from Kaipara Flats airfield around 10 am in Brien's Fly Synthesis Texan ZK-TXN2 and as we climbed out there were several much faster RNZAF Texans in the area but they climbed higher than us. We also heard the Dargaville Aero Club's Texan doing circuits and Harley was out flying on the West Coast in his Texan so there were Texans galore!
Flying North over Mangawhai with Whangarei Heads on the nose and the Hen and Chicken Islands to the right.
A closer look at the Hen and Chickens.
Ngunguru where Stuart Mitchell's Avid Amphibian ZK-NGU used to fly.
The coast between Ngunguru and Tutukaka is spectacular (actually the whole coast is spectacular!).
A lovely place to park up. The tree behind with red flowers and no leaves is a flame tree. We walked into the village and then across the longest foot bridge in the Southern Hemisphere before enjoying a nice lunch at the local beach store (delicious fish and chips).
After lunch we flew further North. That is Whangaruru down there with Cape Brett in the distance.
Approaching Cape Brett. The island is Motukokako with the famous Hole in the Rock.
Looking back at Cape Brett as we rounded it. Click to enlarge to see the lighthouse (right of centre).
Then we skirted around the edge of the Bay of Islands, that is Urupukapuka Island down there.
And we flew back down the coast. A long shot of the Poor Knights Islands in the distance.
Back past Whananaki.
Past Tutukaka off to the right with Ngunguru in the medium distance.
Coming up to the Whangarei Heads from the North with the Hen and Chickens (right) and the Mokohinau Islands (left) with Little Barrier in the distance.
Quite a contrast to the beautiful seascapes we had been flying over - Marsden Point.
Then it was straight back to Kaipara Flats for coffee and cake! A great day - thanks very much Brien.
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