Lookfar's sailing trip up the Tapuwae River January 2014

View up the Tapuwae river from Lookfar.

[Creator unknown] :Plan of Motukaraka Hokianga surveyed for Capt. McDonnel[l] [ms map]. [184-?]

Reference Number: MapColl-832.11a/[184-?]/Acc.1780

Shows survey of land of Motukaraka Island, Hokianga Harbour, adjoined by the Motu Karaka and the Waimanga Creeks. Map shows position of old Maori pa site as well as mangrove trees and high water mark.

This image reveals the same Island viewed from the south. The Pa is located at the one o'clock position in the photo, identifiable by the dark patch of large trees amidst the mangroves. The Tapuwae river reaches off to the left in the distance.

View from a headland, Tapuwae River, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand

A view from our home shows the headland from where I took the above photo of Motukaraka Island, the mangrove fringe is actually the Island which is separated by a navigable channel leading into the Tapuwae River.

Lookfar brings me safely home. The Tapuwae, Motukaraka and the pa can be seen in the background of this image. Photo by Julie Holton.

An exceptionally fair wind and tide combination prompted me to make a spontaneous trip in Lookfar up the river opposite our home across the Hokianga Harbour. The incoming tide carried us as far up river as it was possible to sail. The trip took me a total distance of 15 KM. there and back. This was among the most enjoyable of my trips to date. During the course of the day the 10-12 knot breeze steadily changed to a point where I was on the same tack coming home as I was when I left in the morning!