Today we are booked for the 10am Hole in the Rock Cruise with Island Getaway Tours. The Bay of Islands is renowned as one of the most beautiful destinations on New Zealand’s North Island, with 144 islands dotted around the shore. This tour takes in some of the most impressive viewpoints in the area setting off from the pier at Paihia, so just a short walk from our accommodation at Busby Manor. It's been raining again overnight so let's hope it keeps away today.
From the pier, we headed east across the bay towards Russell and then in a northerly direction past Tapeka Point in the direction of the outer islands. Came across several Little Blue Penguins out for their morning fish (no doubt). They were just floating along quite oblivious to us close by. The first stop was Motuarohia Island (Roberton Island) a small island about 4 kilometres northeast of Russell. The island stretches for 2 kilometres east-west, with the south coast offering two bays backed by sandy beaches. While most of the island is in private ownership, there are 19 hectares of public conservation land in the central section of the island managed by the Department of Conservation. Captain Cook's lookout (our reason for visiting the island) can be found after a 15-minute uphill walk from the western end of Twin Lagoons Bay. The panoramic view is pretty impressive - worth the effort. Cook anchored the Endeavour just offshore in 1769 in what is now known as Cook’s Bay. At the time, the island was inhabited by up to 300 Māori, who were initially hostile towards the intruders. Later on, Cook was offered the hospitality of the natives and peace was restored. The island has a long history of human settlement, as evidenced by archaeological sites including a pa site, terraces and pits dating back to the prehistoric beginnings of Polynesian settlement in Aotearoa.
Back on the boat, we hugged the shore through Te Rawhiti Inlet heading towards Cape Brett. Apparently, there is a walk out to here from Russell and you can stay in the now decommissioned Lighthouse cottage. On the way we had a shark of some sort jumping out of the water. Quite unusual behaviour we were told by the crew.
The Hole in the Rock Island found just off Cape Brett (named "Piercy Island " by Captain Cook and Motu Kōkako by its Māori-language name) has great cultural significance to the Ngāpuhi iwi, and was historically associated with a range of sacred customary activities. Motu Kōkako was said to be the landing place of the canoe Tūnui-a-rangi before it went to Ngunguru and Whangarei.
The 18 m hole at sea level was created over centuries by wind and waves making it one of the most naturally beautiful sites in New Zealand. As the sea was fairly calm today we even got the opportunity to travel through the "hole" - quite impressive.
On leaving the island we came across what looked like a weird sea creature. It turned out to be a New Zealand Fur Seal lying in the water with his flipper in the air. They are quite common in these waters and on our way towards Urupukapuka Island, we passed a sea rock which was one of their resting spots. Looked like a good spot, without too much interruption from sightseeers.
The plan was to have lunch at the Otehei Bay Cafe on Urupukapuka Island but when we got there the cafe was closed. Fortunately, we had brought some nuts for such an occasion but a cup of coffee would have been nice. There's a pretty extensive wharf on the island and the bay, facing south is well protected. No doubt a popular spot for sailers. While there it began to rain so it was back to the boat where the crew were feeding some fish off the stern. Not sure what they were but they were quite large and quite colourful.
From Otehei Bay it was back to the wharf at Paihai. Still raining
