Our last summer in the beautiful Coromandel

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Saying farewell to this beautiful piece of NZ was hard. We know we're going to miss the deserted, white sandy beaches that stretch for miles, the cool, clear, refreshing water & the beautiful days that make up a NZ summer. We tried to make the most of it, basing ourselves in Linda & Bruce's Pauanui bach, spending New Year's with friends in Whangamata, then traveling up to camp at the remote Waikawau Bay (no phone coverage - yippee), back down through Coromandel town & touring NZ’s best potter, Barry Bricknell’s railway. Then back to Pauanui for rest & relaxation - via Whitianga. Here are the pics.

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Photos

Pauanui beach
Our favourite beach in the world. Where we go to chill out & get away from it all.

Mt Pauanui form Pauanui beach
A fun climb if you're feeling energetic. Best to follow up with a dip in the sea.

Looking out at Pauanui beach
Bruce, Linda & Brendon checking out the view

Waikawau Bay
WHat's a bit of rain when you're camping? Tie a tarpaulin between 2 cars, squeeze 11 of us into a space not much bigger than a bath tub, break out the wine, tequila, bacardi, baileys, light up a couple of cigars & you're sweet!

Waikawau Bay - Sunny days
Ahh, this is the life!
Chilling out in a proper kiwi summer.
L to R: Facing us; Isla, Emma, Rosemarie & Brendon, Backs to us; Rachael Josephson, Adrian, Scott, Kelly & Rachael Brand (standing).

Waikawau Bay - bush walk
Emma, Rosie, Rach B, Rach J & CLaire decided to go on a bush walk to see the views around Waikawau. It was beautiful

Waikawau Bay - View from the top!
Look at that! We made it!

Driving Creek Railway - Coromandel Town
We went on this great railway tour - built by a potter, Barry Brickall, on his Coromandel property in order to transport pine wood & clay to his kiln. Now huge & a great attraction. All money goes bakc into further development of the railway & into planting Kauri trees. He's currently planted 17,000 trees on his property - which goes into a national trust when he dies, which means the trees can never be cut down & will be there for all to enjoy.