As I write this, I am sitting in front of a log fire watching (on TV) the Sydney Swans play Adelaide at a very wet Sydney Cricket Ground, after another full and fun day on the road. Life is good.

More Street Art in Whangarei

Since yesterday’s street art hunting was on foot, this morning on our way out of town we drove to see some works that are further afield. Several of these were in Te Kamo, a northern suburb of Whangārei which commissioned murals as part of a town beautification project. Getting decent photos can be challenging, as you are sometimes battling parked cars, heavy shadows and narrow alleyways. We are enjoying this sunny weather, but a few clouds would certainly help our photos.

Whangarei Quarry Gardens

An old stone quarry has been turned into a beautiful sub-tropical garden, overflowing with camelias, orchids, bromeliads, and magnolias, as well as a plethora of native plants. Of course, we had to photograph the sculptures we spotted there was well.

Whangarei Falls

The Hātea River drops over 26 metres over basalt at Whangarei Falls. The falls are impressive, and the walk to and from the falls and along the river through Kauri Forest is lush and green and a balm to the soul.

Kawakawa

Kawakawa’s claim to fame is the striking toilet block, designed by the town’s famous resident, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and completed in 1999. The decorative toilet block is the only project designed by Hundertwasser in the Southern Hemisphere and the last project completed within the artist’s lifetime. The title of this post – The straight line leads to the downfall of humanity – is one of Hundertwasser’s famous sayings.

Russell

Now we are in the historic town of Russell, in the Bay of Islands, for the next couple of nights. Russell was the country’s first seaport, its first European settlement and New Zealand’s first capital. We haven’t seen much of Russell itself yet, but this is where we are staying. I think we can take this.

To read more of our adventures in Northland, New Zealand, click here.