Maitai Bay

The next day at Tokerau Beach was once again windy so there was to be no drone fishing today. We explored the length of the beach, but there did not seem to be any sheltered spots so we decided to head to the tip of the peninsula to Maitai Bay. This was also a DOC Camp, and to get there we had to pick our way through a pot holed, corrugated and dusty gravel road.

The gravel road did not continue for too long though, and then we reached the camp, which was another rustic place with the most basic of facilities. We shared the camp with livestock this time, so we had to be careful where we camped.

Again, we set up our vans in a U shape, with our entertaining area in the middle. Dinner hour and afters tonight was one of music and laughs, with a few splashes of Baileys added into the mix.

Maitai Bay would have to be one of the prettiest that I have ever seen. The sand is very white and fine, and the sea was so clear it was almost like looking through a glass of water. Tina, Bruce and I just had to have a swim, our first for the season, and it did not disappoint.

Even though it was sheltered here, there was to be no fishing, as there was a rahui in place to protect the fishery. There were plenty of birds here though and we were treated to some wonderful murmurations (aerial ballet) as they prepared to roost for the night.

There was a large group of Maori folk at the camp also. They were a friendly bunch, and one told Tina that this land used to belong to his grandfather. His grandfather would always allow campers to holiday on the farm, but then the Government took the land, without compensation, to “preserve” it. They passed it over to DOC. This man showed Tina where the family waka was. He also said that his great uncle owned land over the other side, but the government didn’t take that, so his relatives still had that land.

The next day was windy, so the bay wasn’t as sheltered as yesterday, and we did not feel the need to have a swim. We decided to carry on our travels. Tina and John do not have much longer before they have to head back, and we will have to carry on our travels alone.

We decided to head for the other coast.