Heading North

DECEMBER 10^th

Central Auckland - Warkworth - Mahurangi East

Dear Diary,

Well I’m a day into the Dare to Explore adventure - I’ve got my passport and I’m all signed up!

I caught the bus up from Central Auckland Library, it stopped just outside of Warkworth Library so I raced in to see my friend Emily the children’s librarian to say, “Hi!”. She told me that lots of kids were getting involved in Dare to Explore from Warkworth and Ahuroa Schools, even from Mahurangi College!

Map of Auckland Google Map - Where is Mahurangi East?

I walked along the Mahurangi River and saw the Jane Gifford. Emily told me that before there were roads into this area – scows like her were used to carry supplies to and from the area. If you walk alongside the river towards Lucy Moore Park you can find plaques set in the path that tell you the names of the prominent old scows. It got me thinking that might be a good ‘self’ challenge to list them all?

'Jane Gifford' - Home on the Mahurangi River

Speaking of Lucy Moore Park, don’t forget to bring a cardboard box and slide down the hill! I said goodbye to Emily and the children at Warkworth, Fleur, the children’s librarian from Mahurangi East was beeping her car horn! It was time to head towards the sea.

We arrived at Mahu East Library I talked with the kids about what they liked to do.

Lots of kids up here are into gaming – to start with I thought that was all they wanted to do!

Chilling at Mahurangi East Library

I did have a little turn on Zale's X-box then we went for a snack at Al’s Roast. I felt a bit full but I had to meet Noah at Sandspit Wharf because we were going kayaking – we were going to try and make it out to Kawau Island.

Ryder told us to be careful in case there were any megalodons around…He couldn’t have realised that I read just as much as he does and I know that they’re extinct! But I was still thinking about it when we got out off the shoreline a bit!

(Here is the Megalodon Model at Kelly Tarlton's on Tamaki Drive!)

We didn’t make it to Kawau Island, that was a shame because I really wanted to see the wallabies, weka and Governor Grey’s Mansion House. Instead we changed course and eventually ended up at Scott’s Landing.

Mansion House - Governor Grey's residence on Kawau Island

We had to paddle around Mullet Point, so we stopped for a break at the Scandrett Farm. Jayden and Kyron were there. The kids at Snells Beach School were planting native trees. Kowhai, Totara, Nikau, Puriri and Pohutukawa trees. Noah and I lent a hand. We were exhausted at the end of it.

Make time to discover the Scandrett Farm - the ultimate picnic spot!
Watch out for nesting Dotterels though!

Bhavya came to get us and we wandered across the rocks to have a fish on the point. After a couple of false starts, I finally got onto a good one. My reel screamed as a Kingfish tore off with my line!  I’m glad I discovered the fishing magazines back in the library! 

Then we carried on to Scott's. We parked up the kayaks and climbed the little island. There were lots of yachts about in the Mahurangi River. Noah pointed out the oyster farm too. They are really into their water sports up here! With so much awesome coastline it is no wonder.

Scott's Landing - a popular yesteryear getaway for Auckland's boating community.

Brady and Wynn took me for a sleep over at their place, up the back of Matakana. Next time I visit they tell me that I have to go to the Magnificient Matakana Cinema, and check out the Matakana Markets.  

Some other friends Taliea and Aleicha suggested we stop in for a gelato at Charlies on the way down Sharp Road, we did, and it just hit the spot after all of that kayaking! I’m glad I remembered to slip, slop and slap or I might’ve looked like a cooked crayfish!

Yummy gelato! Heading across to Matakana. Cool artwork kids!

There is so much to do on the Mahurangi Peninsula. As I lay in my sleeping bag writing this entry I’m thinking about how the boys are taking me to the skate park at Goodall Reserve in the morning. Then I’m off to Wellsford Library to meet Rochelle the new children’s librarian and her friends.