The extension in the northland of New Zealand NSX2502
When we start our engines at 8:30 a.m., most of the city is still fast asleep. It’s Sunday, the sun is shining, and the streets are empty. We glide through beautiful forests, heading toward our first destination of the day: Piha Beach. One of the stunning black-sand beaches in northern New Zealand, it’s especially beloved by the surfing crowd. We enjoy a coffee and a freshly baked pudding-yeast braid. Around us, everyone seems to know each other. As always in New Zealand, people are unbelievably friendly. After a little photo shoot on the beach, we continue on to the Kaipara Coast Plant Centre. Anyone with even the slightest green thumb can’t help but get excited about the many exotic specimens available here. We, however, didn’t exactly come to buy plants. A fig tree is rather difficult to transport on a motorbike. For us, it’s more about the delicious sandwiches in this lush, green setting. The perfect lunch spot! In the afternoon, the Kauri Museum awaits us — an incredibly fascinating exhibition about the impressive kauri tree, its history, and the logging of the past centuries. Do you know why people were after kauri gum for so long? The tree’s resin? In any case, we’re all thrilled! Rumor has it we’ll soon get to see a real, living specimen ourselves. But that’s enough for today. Along a wonderfully winding road, our motorcycles dance their way to Whangarei, our destination for the night. After a hot shower and a glass of wine at the hotel bar — complete with Christmas music, would you believe it — we head out for dinner. We end the day on a terrace by the harbor, where sunshine and dark clouds create an extraordinarily mystical and beautiful atmosphere.
Today is a day of extremes. We leave Whangarei heading west on the Gumidigger Highway. The highway owes its name to the miners of the coveted, amber-like kauri resin. Shortly after Dargaville, we stop at Rick Taylor's workshop. He's an artist who transforms swamp kauri into beautiful bowls, plates, and pens. It will be the last time we see him at his lathe, as he's retiring—and he's certainly earned it. Next, we head to the 100-kilometer-long Bailyes Beach. It's too dangerous to drive on, but a beautiful photo is possible. Afterward, we drive north through the kauri forest of Waipua. Wow, these curves combined with the forest are truly impressive. The highlight of the Northland is the kauri trees. One of them is Tane Mahuta, also known as the "Lord of the Forest." They can grow up to 60 meters tall. Unfortunately, these majestic trees were felled on a large scale in the early 1900s. Hokianga Harbour is no less impressive. It stretches 30 kilometers inland, so we have to take a ferry to cross it. Afterward, we drive through the Mangamuka Gorge, which reopened to traffic earlier this year after years of closure. Our destination today is the Karikari Peninsula. What a great place to spend the night! The views from here are fantastic. Tomorrow we're off to the northernmost point of New Zealand, so stay tuned!
Our third day on the road dawns, and with it comes the promise of new adventures. We gather for breakfast at the golf resort, gazing out over a valley so beautiful it almost distracts us from the fact that the entire peninsula is without power. No electricity, no problem—this place cooks on gas! And when all else fails, instant coffee steps bravely into the spotlight. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the caffeine flowing. Fueled by questionable coffee and good spirits, we hit the road and chase the horizon north along Highway 1. Hours later, we reach Cape Reinga—the far-flung northern tip of New Zealand, about as close to the edge of the world as one can get on a motorcycle. Standing beside the lighthouse feels like stepping into a myth. The Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet below us, dancing, clashing, swirling—two giants greeting each other at the end of the earth. The ride up there is just as enchanting. The landscape shifts and changes like scenes from a storybook: rolling hills, mysterious valleys draped in clouds, and majestic birds of prey gliding overhead as if guarding our journey. At midday, Michaela gifts us a beach picnic fit for adventurers. After our stomachs—and, inevitably, those of the opportunistic seagulls—are happily filled, we saddle up again and head off toward our next highlight: the toilets. Yes, toilets. But not the boring kind. We visit the legendary restroom designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser—a riot of color, curves, and creativity. It might just be the world’s most artistic place to take a bathroom break. And beautifully enough, this masterpiece is fully functional. A true celebration of nature, art… and normal bodily needs. Before we settle in for the night, a gentle ferry ride carries us across the water, the perfect cooldown to a day packed with sights. In the evening, we gather on the terrace, raising one to three glasses of wine to the day’s adventures. And because life is short and sweet, we follow the sacred rule of the road: dessert first.
Today, for the very last time, it’s “Bags to the van!” and “Briefing by the bikes!” But first, we enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the hotel terrace. The weather is perfect—just as it has been on most days of our journey. From Russell, we set off on our final riding day back to Auckland. And even today, New Zealand treats us to fantastic roads and stunning views one more time! We kick things off along Old Russell Road, possibly one of the coolest motorcycling routes in the whole country. Then again—who can say for sure with so many epic roads to choose from? One feels more spectacular than the next. Old Russell Road is especially fun because it’s practically empty. Most vehicles leave Russell by ferry—much faster, sure, but nowhere near as enjoyable. Their loss, our joy. After a gorgeous final day on the bikes—and, not to be forgotten, a delicious ice cream—we roll into Auckland in the afternoon. We hand back our motorcycles and climb into that strange four-wheeled contraption that takes us back to the hotel. Over the past 18 days, New Zealand has surprised us again and again. The beauty of its nature and the sheer variety of its landscapes simply knock your socks off. Luckily, that’s no big deal here—going barefoot is practically a national sport. It’s hard to believe our journey is coming to an end. Along with Manuka honey, fluffy little kiwi plush toys, and jewelry carved from Kauri wood, we’re taking home one thing above all: countless vibrant memories of a country so breathtaking, it’s almost impossible to describe. And for many of us, one thing is certain: we’ll be back—at the “other end of the world.”