Leg 191, Tauranga, New Zealand via Norfolk Island and New Caladonia to Lenakel, Tanna, Vanuatu
DAY03_01.PLN (11.4 KB)
Soggy Sunday. I had a good run on the trails ahead of the rain when the ground was still (re)frozen, then it was time for a long afternoon and evening flying. Rest of New Zealand first, then a couple autopilot breaks to explore New Caledonia in the evening.
02-28 Tauranga NZTG 12:51 PM
02-28 Matakana Island NZMZ 12:55 PM Drone cam assisted landing
02-28 Matamata NZMA 1:07 PM Hobbiton 37°51’30.1"S 175°40’49.7"E
02-28 Hamilton NZHN 1:24 PM
02-28 Raglan NZRA 1:33 PM
02-28 Limestone Downs NZLD 1:44 PM
02-28 Auckland Intl NZAA 1:58 PM
02-28 Reeve NZKE 2:11 PM
02-28 Coromandel NZCX 2:23 PM
02-28 Matarangi NZAG 2:28 PM
02-28 Great Barrier NZGB 2:44 PM
02-28 Okiwi Station NZOX 2:49 PM
02-28 Motu Kaikoura Island Aerodrome NZKD 2:54 PM
02-28 Springhill NZSL 3:11 PM
02-28 Ruawai Aerodrome NZRW 3:26 PM
02-28 Dargaville NZDA 3:32 PM
02-28 Whangarei NZWR 3:42 PM Cape Brett Lighthouse 35°10’31"S, 174°19’57"E
02-28 Kerikeri NZKK 4:14 PM
02-28 Kaitaia NZKT 4:29 PM 452nm next
02-28 Norfolk Island Intl YSNF 7:10 PM 388nm next
02-28 Moue NWWE 9:28 PM
02-28 Plaine des Lacs NWWS 9:44 PM
02-28 Magenta NWWM Noumea Capital 9:59 PM
02-28 Dumbea NWDU 10:04 PM
02-28 Yate-Barrage NWYA 10:14 PM
02-28 Canala NWWX 10:33 PM
02-28 Poe NWWB 10:48 PM
02-28 Mueo NWWQ 10:59 PM
02-28 Touho NWWU 11:14 PM
02-28 Koumac NWWK 11:36 PM
02-28 Poum Malabou NWWP 11:47 PM 295nm next
03-01 Lenakel NVVK 1:38 AM
Flight time 12:47 31 stops
Early departure from Tauranga
A little exposure boost needed while approaching Matakane island
Flying over Tauranga harbour at dawn
Approaching Matamata
Matamata Airport
Sunrise over Waharoa
Hobbiton, located between Hamilton and Tauranga, now a tourist attraction
The Green Dragon Inn on “The water”
The water and Bog Shot Row on the right
Tawatahi river flowing out into the Tasman Sea
Te Akau
Limestone Downs Airport
Pretty views from the runway
Waikato River
Auckland International Airport
Auckland, based around 2 large harbours between the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean
Auckland Sky Tower (the tall black tower above) and Mount Roskill
Waiheke Island Aerodrome, follow the light
Coromandel Pensinsula
Great Barrier Island
Landing at Great Barrier Aerodrome, approach over Kaitoke Beach
Motu Kaikoura Island Aerodrome
Pakiri Beach and Regional Park on the right side
Over Whangaripo
Atiu Creek Regional Park
Dargaville along the Wairoa River
Near Omana
Whangaruru North
Cape Brett
Cape Brett Lighthouse, possibly the smallest landmark in the game, can you spot it in the shot above?
Here it is
Kaitaia Airport
Cape Reinga, the northern tip of New Zealand
Climbing to 7,500ft cruising altitude while waving New Zealand goodbye
2.5 hours later, Norfolk Island (Australian) with the tiny Napean Island in front
Some funny guy added “The World`s End Cafe” on Napean Island on Google maps. The island is just a piece of rock with some grass on top. It has 15 reviews, popular spot.
My visit was slightly marred by the shark bite received whilst swimming to the island. The staff were extra helpful when I crawled in pale as a ghost from the blood loss. Thankfully, the cook is O- and thus a universal donor so a blood transfusion was soon organised using one of the booths as a makeshift ER. After an hour I perked up enough to order a cup of tea and a piece of the lemon slice. The tea was lovely, but the slice was a bit dry, otherwise I would have given them 5 stars. (Local Guide)
Emily Bay on Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island International Airport
Pretty place, Lone Pine at Emily Bay and Norfolk Island National Park
Although, Slaughter Bay, Bloody Bridge, Cemetary bay, maybe not so pretty
Another 2 hours of water later, Isle of Pines, New Caledonia (French Territory)
Turning to the airport over the Coral Sea
Moué - Île des Pins Airport
Views of Natural Pool with a carving on Plage de Kuto in between
Flying over the Coral Sea towards the main island, Grand Terre
Lovely water masking, so randomly located though
Bay Boulari
Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia on the south west side of Grand Terre
Lovely beaches of course
Tjibaou Culturul Center, where Knack came from!
A peak inside Musée de Nouvelle Calédonie
Aérodrome de Nakutakoin, approach over Dumbéa River
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Canala Bay, East/North side of Grand Terre
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Aérodrome de Poé, South/West side of Grand Terre along Plateau de Poé
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Unfortunately water masks are missing here, Plateau de Poé
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https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Bflnm3eiv3Y
Col de Ga Wivaek https://i.imgur.com/byT5cNC.png Malabou Airport, last stop in New Caledonia Some Netflix later (Money Heist) Tanna Island, Vanuatu Last stop for today, Tagabe Airport at Lenakel Tanna island is home to an active volcano, Mount Yasur and the lovely Blue Cave Here’s Mount Yasur in the opening of Survivor Vanuatu, 2007 The actual survivor camp was on Efate island, will visit tomorrow.
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https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/huJ8L_cawkA