land Road Trip: Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

After finishing work, I hit the road from Auckland heading north—here’s the lowdown on my wild & whimsical journey! 📍 Stop 1: Whangārei Falls 💦 Small but scenic (manages to be a waterfall in NZ’s flat north!). 📍 Stop 2: Whangārei Town Basin 🎨 Quirky art museum + the famous Hundertwasser toilets (yes, really—Instagram gold!). 📍 Stop 3: Cape Reinga 🌊 New Zealand’s northern tip! Lighthouse + signpost + endless Pacific views. Stared at the horizon and pondered: "What’s beyond?" 📍 Stop 4: Giant Sand Dunes 🏄 $15 sandboard rental = epic wipeouts & laughter! 📍 Stop 5: Ninety Mile Beach 🚙 4WD heaven (dig for pipi clams at the southern end—skip private land traps!). 🌊 No car? Surf or beachcomb instead! 📍 Stop 6: Kaikohe Hot Springs $34 for 2hrs of empty, steamy bliss. 💡 Pro Tips: • Cape Reinga’s "end of the world" vibe = soul-stirring. • More hidden gems? Go explore! #NZRoadTrip #WHVAdventures #HiddenNZ #CapeReingaMagic