Paihia, Bay of Islands, North Island

Well we left Auckland around 11.30 am, and we had a drive of around three hours following State Highway 1 - Twin Coast Discovery Highway - stopping for 30 mins at La Nonna Italian bakery in Kaiwaka for lunch. Fresh baked bread, pastries, pies and snacks, it seemed to be popular with locals and tourists alike. There were many scenery changes from Swiss alpine, to Italian mountain area, to Scottish highlands to rolling farmlands, it was an amazing drive.
We stopped at a view point at Brynderwyn Hill part way down which gave a great view over Bream Bay and the headland beyond.
Once we arrived at Paihia and got settled into our apartment we took a wander around the Bay to the main area of the town. We found where we take the tour tomorrow and where we can park for the day. We did some food shopping, I got a new bag, (as the zip broke on Clare's) first NZ souvenir and had a meal at Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack - lovely ribs, onion rings, wedges and coleslaw with a doggy bag to give us lunch for tomorrow.Read more