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Andrew at Papamoa

March 2009 - Up North

I'm just back from my holiday up north, so I'll give you a run down on all the places I went to, most of them in the Naturist-Friendly Venues book.

Te Ari Point

Looking south toward Pakiri BeachSunday - 15th: Left Auckland and drove north to Te Arai Point. Not many people there in the car park for a Sunday. So I walked to the top of the headland in the nude. Fantastic views of Pakiri Beach to the south and north along Te Arai Beach, nice day too. So from there I decided to go for a walk along Te Arai Beach, but I put my clothes on to cross back over the car park, a few more people had arrived. But with no one on Te Arai beach I walked half way up to Mangawhai and back in the nude, only two women passed me, when I stopped to have something to eat.

With some time still remaining in the day I jumped back in the car and drove to Uretiti Beach. Got there about 4 pm, most people had gone by then and had most of the beach to myself. Great views all round from Whangarei heads to Mangawhai heads.

At 5.30 p.m drove to Waipu and had takeaways in the park at the crossroads. Peter was still in Australia but John and Gay were there looking after the place, I think I've got their names right, they travel in their bus to all the usual spots around New Zealand. I slept in the spare room for the night, really nice hosts, they told me about certain places up north.

Monday - 16th: I drove to Whangarei and then out to Ocean Beach. The day there was overcast but warm. There were about 6 surfers in the water, so I climbed up to the point to the south end of little Ocean Beach, that overlooks Ocean Beach and Hen and Chicken Islands. Then I climbed back down, walked along past the surfers to the first pass. Walked up and over this but as soon as I was on the other side off came the clothes and I walked nude to the next pass, around the rocks, tide was out, and believe it or not I walked right to the end of Ocean Beach and back, about an hour and a half walk for the whole lot. No one on the beach the whole time so no issues there. The longest walk I've done so far in the nude, fantastic. Then drove back to Whangarei and stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park.

Tuesday - 17th: This day I drove to Opua and got the car ferry to Russell and went over to Long Beach. Look for the track to Waitata Bay at the northern end of Long Beach, just above the water tanks. On the walk around to Waitata Bay there are two identical signs saying - No camping - No dogs - No fires and the last line says - Waitata Bay is a naturist beach. Brilliant, at last some recognition. Great little private beach and friendly local nudists there and I'd recommend it highly to anyone. Fantastic day not a cloud in the sky.

Tapeka Point

Then I drove over the hill to Tapeka Point Beach, and if you walk to the south end of the beach, and climb around the rocks, there is a private little beach there, can't find a name for it. Great views over to Waitangi, went nude there and had the beach to myself. That night stayed at Orango Bay Holiday Park.

Wednesday - 18th: I went back to Waitata Bay, and this time I walked nude as soon as I hit the track to the beach, nice little bush walk, no point in keeping your clothes on - for what? Another great day, not a cloud in the sky, and met other overseas nudists, the water is warm and a bit like swimming in Lake Taupo. Not keen on going nude on Long Beach as there are plenty of textiles there. Stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park with fantastic views over to Paihia.

Thursday - 19th: This day I drove to Kerikeri and to the stone house and lunch at the cafe across the road. Then headed off to Matauri Bay. A little overcast this day but warm. If you go to the end of the car park there's a track to the beach. On the beach you have the public camping ground to the north and the Maori camping ground to the south. I was the only one there: pays to go off season and during the week I guess. So I went nude and went for a swim, water is nice and warm. Some young tourists arrived but didn't really care at all about my presence and they had a swim too.

So off to Wainui Bay, no one at all in the camping ground and no one on the beach, so had all the place to myself and walked nude from the camping ground right to the end of the beach. Great little bay for children, water is flat and warm. So on the road to Tauranga Bay. Didn't think too much of this beach, as there were plenty of camper vans along the camping ground that overlooks the beach, so if you want to go nude here you really have to go to the western end of the beach and walk around the rocks, through the hole in the rock to a private little beach [Butterfly Bay - Ed], so I went nude there and once again had the beach to myself. Then continued my journey to Doubtless Bay, hot day and not a cloud in the sky. Traveled to Whatuwhiwhi and stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park.

The south end of Matai Bay

Friday - 20th: Didn't have to travel far on this day, as I went to Matai Bay. There is a new toilet block there in the camping grounds. Went first to the northern bay and no one there, no problem walking the length of this one in the nude. Then headed over the pass and sat on the little peninsula overlooking the southern beach of Matai Bay. There were textiles on the beach below me, so it wasn't until half way around the southern bay that the clothes were off again and walked to the northern end of the southern Matai Bay. A nice walk and no one ahead but it really didn't matter if I came across people here because you are in the middle of nowhere and most are tourists anyway.

The south end of Karikari Beach

So it was down the road to Karikari Beach, which is not that far away. No one in the car park, so off came the clothes and I headed of down the beach to the little headland that separates Karikari Beach and Puheke Beach. When you get there, there is another little sort of private beach in between. I then walked around the DoC track to a car park, which I didn't know was there, and there was a camper van in the car park, but the young couple didn't seem to mind a nude guy walking through the car park. So I sat on the edge of the return track and had something to eat and drink. I then headed back to my car, and got reluctantly dressed, nobody yet in the car park. The round nude walk was just over 3 hours, and again had the whole beach to myself. That night stayed again at Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park.

East from Cape Reianga

Saturday - 21st: On this day I headed right to the top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Got to the new car park about 11 am. There is also new toilet block and entrance way to the lighthouse, with a new walkway leading to the lighthouse. So after checking out the lighthouse, I headed off on the walking track out to Marie Van Diemen headland. There were a few people on the track and on the beach below, but after that the people dried up and off came the clothes. The beach is so flat and water was warm. When I got to the headland the only way is up and over along the DoC track which is signposted with bright orange triangles on the post. Its a good hike up and over but fantastic views looking back and when you get over to the other side you have great views looking towards Ninety Mile Beach. In total contrast to the big, flat beach, on the other side is a small, shelving beach. I had lunch on this beach, but I didn't go all the way up to the beacon at the end, which is right at the end of the line. Then headed back and still had the whole place to myself. When I got to the car park track the clothes went back on. So, just under three hours to do that walk, but absolutely amazing sights all around. If you're fit you must try this walk: just do it.

So it was off to Spirits Bay. The metal road is a bit rutty in places so patience is the virtue here. There was a good number of people camping in the grounds, but only really had enough time to take a few shots. I could have gone nude on the beach, as it was deserted, but my time had run out and I had to be at Ninety Mile Beach Top 10 Holiday Park to check in for the night. So going nude at Spirits Bay will have to wait for another day.

The Manamuka rest spot

Sunday - 22nd: Woke up to a great day - if I was staying another day I would have walked up Ninety Mile Beach in the nude, but I was heading back to Whangarei. Coming down State Highway 1, between Kaitaia and Umawera, there is a picnic area in the Mangamuka's, on the right hand side heading south. There are three tracks down to the stream - take the first one to the right and you can park by the stream. Had the whole place to myself and went for a skinny dip, the water is clear and clean but cool. This part of the stream is about 6 feet deep, so good for everyone to swim in. The day was warm and this helped.

When I got to Whangarei it was still a great day so I headed for Smugglers Bay. The car park was full, but when I walked over to the beach there was only one lot of textiles on the beach, at the northern end; so I went down to the southern end and stayed nude for the afternoon. The water was great: a nice little out of the way beach. Later on some people did show up, but after seeing me, seemed to take my appearance in their stride. On a week day on another occasion I would like to walk nude around that track which goes around a smaller hill: that would be a challenge. Time is getting on, so it’s off to stay with my cousin at Silverdale for the night.

Monday - 23rd: I spent most this day with my cousin seeing the sights around the Rodney district, but did manage to go to Omaha Beach. I didn't think it was a great beach to go nude as there were new houses right the way along the beach, so if you want to be private, forget about it. And a few people were walking along the beach also; not on my books I'm afraid. Nice beach but there are houses being built left right and centre there.

Tuesday - 24th: This was a cracker of a day, so I went out to Pakari Beach by myself. The car park was full, but not many on the beach. Those that were there, were at the southern end of the beach. So I crossed the little stream and walked nude along the northern end where there was only one young couple visible, with the rest of the beach deserted. Walked halfway up the beach towards Te Arai Point, had some lunch, and walked back. So it was time to head home to Tauranga.

So that is about it. All the other places in between: Henderson Bay - Rarawa - Tapotupotu Bay - Ngawha Springs - Whangamumu - Urupukapuka Island - Mangawhai Heads; will have to wait until next time.

(Article & pictures) Andrew Pointon