Easter in the Hauraki Gulf

Whangarei marina

Easter saw Jim & Sue back aboard for a few weeks.

The plan was to cruise up to Marsden Cove & Whangarei Town Quay marinas to see which would be most suitable for long-term berthing over the winter.

Sailing adventure...

Fay Cooper and son William joined us for a sail to overnight at Kawau Island's Stockyard Bay. Then up to Marsden Cove (catching a couple of Kahawai along the way) to be met by John, just back from a trip to the US & UK. Baked fish for dinner!

Town Quay

Next day, Easter Sunday, we departed on the last of the flood for a trip up the river to Whangarei - very pretty, and tide not a concern for us (2.2 m draft in cruising trim) within 2 hrs of high tide. We were berthed on the town side, just a few hundred metres from Pak 'n Save and other stores, so very convenient. Picturesque too.

Dinner was taken ashore at a nearby Thai restaurant, where we were surprised to be told that alcoholic drinks were 'off', due to it being Easter Sunday. Apparently a law here?!

Whangarei falls

Beauty and the Beast

Monday we explored the Whangarei market, followed by the Hatea River walk via Kauri Park to the Whangarei Falls (3.5 hrs). It was hot, so this was followed by ice-creams on the quay and, as they were so good, a repeat!

Sadly, the Coopers then had to leave, to return to real life (and jobs), so we motored back down for another night at Marsden Cove, which proved as sterile and remote as ever. Decision made: we would be berthing at Whangarei for the coming months.

Suspension of services

First, though, a tour of the Hauraki Gulf. In part, a repeat of an earlier cruise we'd enjoyed when we chartered a Farr 40 after the Americas Cup in Auckland in 2003. In fact during the Americas Cup - due to the extensive weather delays, we were actually on the finish line aboard our charter yacht as Alingi took the cup.

This time we'd start with Great Barrier Island, including another climb up Mt Hobson and a couple of nights at Smokehouse Bay to shelter from a forecast 35 kt SW'ly -  where we bumped into another ex-HK boat: Touch of Class. Then to Tryphena for 2 nights, picking up a couple more Kahawai in the Man of War Passage.

Waiheke from Stony Batter

From there we'd intended to check out the Mercury Islands, but the unsettled weather changed that plan and we diverted to Hook's Bay on Waiheke instead, for a hike up Stoney Batter.

Hook's Bay

Then into Half Moon Bay marina for 2 nights to meet up with friends who came bearing gifts: one couple a fabulous home-made curry; other friends next day with a feast of fish & chips!

Next day we headed over to Islington Bay for the night, then climbed Rangitoto in the morning before heading in to Westhaven marina to collect JC and Rhys for the return trip via Kawau (Schoolhouse Bay this time) to Marsden Cove. The catch on this passage was a Spotted Dogfish, but it looked so shark-like that we decided to release it before discovering that it apparently makes bloody good eating!

View from Rangitoto

Arriving Marsden just after low tide, we again found bottom, perhaps straying too far west of the outer approach to the dredged marina channel. Didn't take long to float off (again, you need to pick your tide to do this) and we were alongside by 1700 in time for bar opening, and to meet Rhys' family. Even Fay decided on an impromptu visit, although it took a little longer than planned, when she followed her satnav into Auckland CBD before turning north.

Shark!

John remained with us for a hungover trip up the river next day, where Fay waited to take him home. Peace at last (!) and a few days to tidy the boat, prep for another lay-up, and take care of some outstanding jobs.

Before departing, we moved to a cheaper pile mooring. Still in the more secure town basin, so we feel happy to leave her for a few weeks before our next visit...