Thames to Rotorua via Cathedral Cove

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We woke early and set off from Thames across the mountains to the East Coast. We hiked up a mountain at Tairua - the views were fanatastic!! Then we travelled north to Cathedral Cave, we didnt realise that it was a 45minute walk each way to the Cave!! We had to jog some of the way so as we didn't waste too much time. It was hard going, up hill and down dale, and those stairs!!! But we made it and the view was beautiful. We then travelled to the hot springs beach. This is amazing!! You hire a spade and dig a hole in the sand and the water is not just hot but boiling (bubbling and boiling) it is fascinating. We even burnt our knees and toes! We had lunch here and then hurried away to continue our trip down the east coast. We travelled to Mount Maunganuai ( fabulous beach and harbour) and then on to Rotorua via Te Puke. We arrived at Rotorua at 6pm and booked in to a lovely motel the Birchwood and then went out for a Thai dinner in town. What a busy day driving. We travelled 250kms today!!

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Photos

Tairua
Fabulous views

Tairua
Hey Alex, do you like this shot - pretty good eh!!

Cathedral Cove
This is amazing

Cathedral Cove
You walk through the arch

Cathedral Cove
View on the other side

Walking track
Very very steep in parts and quite a long way!!

Hot springs beach
Dig Steve, dig!!

Ow - it really is hot!!
This is amazing and very very hot in parts

Digging
You have to quickly dig before the tide comes in

Mt Maunganui Tauranga
A beautiful area

Mt Maunganui Tauranga
We travelled through this area on our way to Rotorua

Rotorua
We booked in to our Hotel and had dinner at the Thai in Town