![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231123_110036-1038x576.jpg "Queen Charlotte Sound from Onahau Lookout")
I have already liked Picton during my first visit five years ago, mainly because of its location directly at the Queen Charlotte Sound. Therefore, I have given myself four days there this time – a very good decision, because the Queen Charlotte Sound is even more beautiful than I remembered it to be. Continue reading Still a cool Sound!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231120_110821-1038x576.jpg "Lambton Harbour from Mount Victoria")
Water in Wellington
I spent my last two days on the North Island in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. In the spirit of my stay on the North Island with its rather changeable weather, it rained for half of the time. Continue reading Water in Wellington
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231118_105152-1038x576.jpg "Castlepoint Lighthouse and Castle Rock")
Lighthouses and stone towers
All good cornerstones come in threes: After the East Cape and Te Urewera, it was now time for the Wairarapa region. The weather was changeable at best, but I was basically still able to fit in all my desired destinations. Continue reading Lighthouses and stone towers
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231115_085753-1038x576.jpg "Napier")
O Brother, Where Art Deco?
Napier was also intended basically as a stopover between two must-dos on my route. However, this time I spent two nights in town, because I also wanted to see something of the city (and the surrounding area). Continue reading O Brother, Where Art Deco?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10-20231113_111729-1038x576.jpg "Lake Waikaremoana")
Sun at Lake Waikaremoana
As already mentioned, Te Urewera was a must do on route through the North Island. Unfortunately, the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle from February 2023 are still being felt. This also meant that I could not do all my planned hikes. Still, I still had two really nice, sunny days at Lake Waikaremoana. Continue reading Sun at Lake Waikaremoana
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231111_111918-1038x576.jpg "Poverty Bay from Te Kuri Farm Walkway")
Gray Gisborne
Gisborne was only intended as an overnight stop between two milestones of my route, the East Cape and Te Urewera. Nevertheless, I managed to squeeze in a short hike. Continue reading Gray Gisborne
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/10-20231109_111900-1038x576.jpg "East Cape")
In the Far East (of New Zealand)
I have reached the first of the milestones of my New Zealand route south of Auckland (around which the rest of the route was planned): the East Cape. Continue reading In the Far East (of New Zealand)
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231106_131127-1038x576.jpg "Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane")
Water in Whakatane
It also rained a bit in Whakatane. Apparently, that is the rule here for cities that start with “Wha”. However, there was much less rain than in Whangarei or in Whangamata. So, I could really appreciate the beauty of this part of the Bay of Plenty. Continue reading Water in Whakatane
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231105_100327-1038x576.jpg "Mount Maunganui from the summit")
At the heart of Bay of Plenty
Now I am starting my exploration of the Bay of Plenty, the large bay in the north-east of the North Island of New Zealand. My first stop was in Tauranga. However, I basically only slept there. All my activities have taken place elsewhere, in the surroundings of the city. Continue reading At the heart of Bay of Plenty
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231104_084700-1038x576.jpg "Whangamata Beach")
Water in Whangamata
I really hope this is not the start of a “Water” series. Unfortunately, also in Whangamata, the water was not only the attraction, but also sometimes also a bit of a killjoy (in the form of rain, of course). Continue reading Water in Whangamata