Photo Friday: Pataua South in New Zealand
Want to know one of my favourite places in New Zealand? Pataua South is a secret spot on the North Island, about a two and a half hour drive north of Auckland just above Whangarei Heads.
What you can see in this photo is a sheltered lagoon then, on the other north side of the inlet, there’s a long sandy beach which is Pataua North.
This photo was taken from the garden of the tiny rustic Kiwi holiday cottage where we stayed. Kiwis call little beach shacks and holiday houses a bach and you have to stay in one when you visit New Zealand.
We sat on the deck of this little bach and watch the tide coming in and out, the odd surfer paddling across the lagoon to get to the surf and the clouds zipping by.
Several lazy days were spent doing nothing much at all apart from beach combing and a gentle walk across the little foot bridge to Pataua North.
Patua South is a top spot – if it was in the US, Australia or England Pataua would be lined with apartments and fancy houses. But here in New Zealand it’s still an unpretentious rustic beach haven.
One day I will return.
Have you got a secret holiday spot like Pataua South?
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
2 Comments
Leave A Comment
Hot Stuff
Sigh… you are making me very homesick Annabel.
We stayed in baches mostly on the river when we were growing up. Very basic but completely charming. I’m glad to hear NZ still has places like this. Your few days there sounded very special.
Hi Helen,
Oh I didn’t know you’re a Kiwi?! I love rivers too and there are so many gorgeous waterfalls all over New Zealand. It’s a very special place!