After leaving Paihia around 8.30am we stopped a couple miles south for a breakfast coffee stop to enjoy the last views out over the Bay of Islands.

As breakfast stops go, this was one of the best views we’ve seen helped by the early morning sunshine and clear skies.

With over 200miles to travel today, we drove the first quarter of the journey, before stopping at the Whangārei Waterfall.

The falls are a picturesque 80ft high waterfall that cascades over basalt cliffs. 

There was a gravel walkway through the native bush, that led down to the falls and alongside the river. Despite the rain we made our way down the path and got some great photos of the waterfalls from various spots.

It truly was a beautiful scene and so surprising to find so close to the centre of Whangarei.

After taking in the waterfall scenery, we walked down the edge of Hatea River amongst the bush land brimming with ferns and kamahi (southern palm tree).

As the rain got harder we cut short our walk and returned to the dry of the car, in the knowledge we still had a further 3hr drive down to Hamilton, our stop tonight.

We then drove on to Waipu, where we stopped for an early Sunday lunch. As it turns out this part of New Zealand has a strong Scottish community, as a result of migration of over 500 highlanders who sailed over in the 1850’s via Nova Scotia in Canada.

When we headed to Waipu Cove Beach, we found even more Scottish references with a large murial celebrating both the Scottish migration as well as the earlier arrival of Māoris to the area in the 13th century.

An interesting story about two very different, but now integrated groups that make up the population of Waipu.

Like many a visit to Scotland’s beaches in November (we were in fact in St Andrews this time last year), the wind was blowing hard and we struggled to walk along the beach for more than a few hundred feet before the sand storm forced us to turn back.

Our final 90min drive took us down to Hamilton and our B&B stay in a stunning hillside location.

With a few hours of daylight still left, we decided to visit Hamilton and take a walk around the picturesque lake in the centre of the city.

Following our walk we made our way to The Bank Brasserie on Victoria Street for some homespun food. Michelle went for lamb, whilst Andy Mexican enchiladas. We then returned to our fabulous B&B for a glass of vino on our balcony.

Tomorrow we have a cooked breakfast to look forward to, before we drive the 90mins on to Rotorua where we will be indulging in some hot mud pools and getting to know all about the Māori culture and geothermal activity.