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Published: December 21st 2008
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Main Road up Coromandel
The road was very close to the sea! Day 3 saw us moving out of Auckand heading for Coromandel. The driving seemed pretty easy (at least from the passenger seat) with empty roads and fantastic scenery. Just before Thames there was an interesting feature of a single track bridge with traffic lights on the main highway!
From Thames up the Coromandel Peninsular the guidebook said to be careful - we soon worked out why as the road wound it's way merely inches at times away from the sea (and it was on our side as we were going up!) and at times had been washed away!
Following the suggestion from the guidebook we turned off just before Coromandel Town up State Highway 309 - from the name you would think that this would be quite a nice road, but little did we know (and I hadn't checked the map legend) that this was in fact an unsealed State Highway i.e. shortly after turning up it, it degenerated into mud (dry) and rock road (albeit compacted into a nice road). The campervan had quite a time of this - but I was determined that we were going to see the Kauri Grove and the Waiu falls, so we
Bush Walk
Our first Bush Walk - we all had our eyes open for creepy crawlies! were just going to have to make it (anyway there was nowhere to turn round!). There was some concern voiced about single vehicle roll-overs and the road quality and the deposit!!
The Kauri Grove was well worth the struggle. A 10 minute walk into the bush we found some 600 year old Kauri trees (native of NZ and nearly logged out) which were 6 metres around the trunk and the first branches were 16 metres up!
Next stop back down the road was Waiu Falls - a short walk off the road down into the bush - where Michael stripped off and jumped into the swimming hole underneath. Peter was up for it until the water reached his knees, then he turned and fled! I thought about going in but there was some young Kiwi blokes hanging around and I didn't think they deserved to be frightened by me in a swimming costume!
Back in the van and down the road to the last stop - Waiu Waterworks. Peter came over all tired and ill so stayed in the van with Nurofen and me whilst Garry and Michael went into the park. After about 1/2 hr Garry
Kauri tree
This tree has a 6m diameter sent me out to see Michael - the place was awesome, with all sorts of wierd and wonderful water features - including a bicycle that pumped water all over the place, Michael just asked to be soaked again!! Later, joined by a sleepy, grumpy Peter we found the swimming hole, complete with a jumping board - you guessed it, Michael had to jump in (you wouldn't catch me doing it as it was too high!) again and again. This was a real hit!!!
Our campsite for the night was just north of Coromandel right on the beach - really sweet.
Day 4 and we were on our way to Hahei. Again awesome scenery and scary twisty roads - but we got to Hahei to find yet another campsite right on the beach. Our plot was on the bank overlooking the sea and the first view in the morning was the Pacific Ocean and white sands!! Unfortunately the Kayak guy texted to say that the weather the next day was not going to be suitable for the Kayaking - but we might be able to do Wednesday! Everyone was a bit disappointed - but OK that meant I could
Waiu Falls
Michael in the swim hole under the waterfall do the washing/drying and folding (not so different from home!)
By the afternoon of Day 5 the rain had cleared, the wind had dropped and the sun had come out (and the washing was finished) so we set off for Hot Water Beach. I really didn't believe that you could dig a hole in the sand and get hot water - but you can. It was absolutely fantastic - especially after going out in Pacific Rollers and getting really cold, then jumping back into hot water! To quote the guy in the Surf Shop where we hired the spade - SWEET!
Day 6 we got up really early and did all the campervan things to do with fresh water, grey water (not too bad) and black water (pretty gross! although there is a strict code of toilet usage!) before heading for the beach and the kayaks. Kayaking was brilliant - really hard work as we were in double kayaks with the children trying hard but not making a big impression on the waves! At one point Peter fell asleep in the front of his kayak - the first time the guide had ever seen that happen!
Cathedral
Waiu Falls
Peter - not so sure then Brave Sir Peter turned and fled! Cove - where we went to - was the site of some of the scenes from Prince Caspian (if you've seen it it's where the train went to?). We went off for a wander and true to form the boys wanted to go to the loo - after a lot of stairs we gave up and told them to wee in the bushes!!!!
I went swimming even though it was really cold then the guide made us Hot Chocolate on the beach - very civilised! We made it back OK - much easier with the wind behind you!
The campervan came in useful after this as I could boil eggs, make coffee and get us all showered before setting off!!!
Next stop is supposed to be Tauranga according to the itinerary but we've decided to stop at Wahei Beach instead (about 45min North of Tauranga but still on the Bay of Plenty).
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