Day 2 Paihia- Opua- Russell

Today is beautiful so we decide to take a coastal hike from Paihia to Opua. This trail was partly on the beach and the rest through forests paths along the hills overlooking the Bay of Islands. We stopped in Opua a beautiful small village with a large marina..  we had a couple of Flat Whites then boarded a ferry for a 5 minute ride to Okiato. Here we begin the second segment of our walk to Russell once known as "the hell hole of the Pacific", The Hike was through thick forests and across Mangrove swamps with many steep climbs and declines. We stop in Russell at the Duke of Marlborough, the first licensed pub in NZ, for a well deserved refreshment.We then board another ferry for the 20 minute ride back to Paihia to complete the circuit..  a total of 18 km walking. A great Day !!