The plan today is to visit Ngawha Springs 40km west of Paihai to have a soak in the "healing properties of the thermal waters". But first, it was back to Kerikeri for their Sunday Farmers Market - a much smaller affair than yesterday and nothing for breakfast (apart from a single coffee stall). A Google search of 'best breakfast in Kerikeri ' saw us at The Village Café which was more than adequate - a nice spot in an alleyway off the main drag.
After breakfast, we drove some backroads to Kaikohe and then on to the Springs.
Ngawha Springs (Māori: Ngāwhā, Ngāwhā meaning "boiling spring"), managed by the Parahirahi Ngāwhā Waiariki Trust, reputedly have therapeutic, balneological properties for those who bathe in their waters as well as being the source of the steam used at the Ngawha geothermal field's power station. The complex has 16 public pools and 8 private pools and varies in temperature from the rather cool 32 °C to the extremely hot "Favourite" and "Doctor" of 41 °C. The complex was refurbished in 2020–21, including a new building with changing rooms, a café, ticket office, shop and rooms for health practitioners. We made use of the café with a cup of tea and a muffin before our allotted time came up.
It was drizzling while we were there and being Sunday, was quite crowded, which meant we were sharing the pools with quite a few others. the pool we spent most of our time in was at a very pleasant 37 °. Apart from being crowded it was an enjoyable experience and would, no doubt be even more so (and quieter) during the week.
We drove back to Paihai via Kawakawa where we hoped for something to eat as we had skipped lunch and discovered that not much is open in small New Zealand towns on a Sunday afternoon - sounds like Mullumbimby used to be 30 years ago - bliss.
Tonight we walked two doors down to JFC, a fish restaurant, for dinner. We both had snapper which was excellent.
