Great Barrier – Smokehouse bay

We had a great trip down from Whangarei and caught 2 tuna enroute. After suitably being marinated, they were cooked on the barbee for dinner at Katherine’s Bay. The next morning we moved on to Port Fitzroy also on Great Barrier, but not before trying our hand for some red snapper. The fish cooperated and in short order we had boated 3 nice fish in around 175 feet of water.

Anchored up near Smokehouse Bay, Deb and Steve prepared same sauteed in Panko bread crumbs and white wine. Next morning, Deb challenged us to catch some more Kawa in the bay. In about 5 minutes, we had boated the following.

Not sure I get it – we purchased all this meat and we haven’t used any of it. Oh well. The decision was to smoke same the next day at – you guessed it – Smokehouse Bay.

Smokehouse has full facilities for the visiting yachtsmen – although a bit primitive. Bath with heated water.

Indoor plumbing and shower.

Outdoor bath and shower for the more adventuresome – looks like a cialis commercial.

Laundry facilities.

Drying facilities in operation.

All of this is courtesy of a small fresh water stream – a friendly Kiwi demonstrates the output in a style that only a Kiwi can.

Then of course there is the necessary room.

Not to mention the reason we came – the smokehouse.

Freshly smoked over Manuka wood which is like a more fragarant version of mesquite, we enjoyed a bit for lunch and Debby and Steve made a Shepard’s Pie with the rest for dinner.

The weather is going to kick up for the next 3 days (winds up to 45 knots) so we will be hiding out around Port Fitzroy and doing some island touring by rental car.

April 5, 2011