New Zealand Road Trip Part 1 - Coromandel Peninsula

New Zealand Road Trip Part 1 - Coromandel Peninsula

Day 1, 29/12/2017
We booked accommodation for the night we landed in ibis Budget Auckland Airport Hotel.

In the morning after short night’s sleep I went to Jucy car rental to pick up our car.

After we got our car we went for some quick shopping to Countdown supermarket located next to the ibis hotel.

After shopping we were finally ready to hit the road and drive to Coromandel Peninsula.

On Our way to Coromandel Peninsula we stopped in Kawakawa Bay where we had a small snack.

We decided to spend the night in Kaiaua Boat Club which offers a free campsite.

Day 2, 30/12/2017
On our second day in New Zealand we continued to drive to Coromandel Peninsula.

We reached Thames town which is the biggest town in Coromandel Peninsula at about 11 am. We went to i-SITE Visitor Information Centre where we booked the Glass bottom boat cruise in Whitianga and accommodation in Tongariro National Park. Then we did some shopping in Pak’n Save Supermarket and hit the road again.

We stopped for a small snack in Waiomu Beach. Waiomu Beach is a really beautiful place for picnic. After a small break in gorgeous Waiomu Beach we continued on our road trip in Coromandel peninsula.

Next stop was Manaia Road Saddle and Lookout.

Next town which we reached was Coromandel town. We were running out of time because at 4PM we had booked the glass bottom cruise leaving from Whitianga wharf so we didn’t stop in Coromandel town.

On our way to Whitianga we stopped at Whangapoua road scenic lookout. The views from Whangapoua road scenic lookout were stunning.

We had a few small stops to enjoy some nice views before we reached Whitianga at about half past three.

We left our car in a car park next to The Espy Cafe which was very nearby to Whitianga wharf where the Glass bottom boat was docked.

Cruise started at 4PM sharp. Boat trip lasted two hours and we visited Shakespeare Cliff, Cooks Beach Blowhole, Cathedral Cove and at the end we had a short snorkelling break.

First stop on our cruise was Shakespeare Cliff which was named by Captain James Cook and its name is inspired by Shakespeare cliff which is near Dover.

2nd stop was the Cooks Beach Blowhole. It has no roof on it which is what makes it a blowhole as opposed to a cave.

3rd stop was Te Hoho Rock which is nearby to famous Cathedral Cove.

Smiling Sphinx rock is another rock which is very close to Cathedral Cove.

At the end of the cruise we had a small break for snorkelling. We saw some fishes mainly snapper fish.

After glass bottom boat tour we had to search for a place to stay for the night. We found a place for our tent in Tairua Beach House Backpackers which has a nice view of Mount Paku.

Day 3, 31/12/2017
After we woke up and packed our tent in Tairua Beach House Backpackers we drove back to Cathedral Cove which is only about half an hour drive from Tairua.

We came to Cathedral Cove Lookout car park at about 8:10 in the morning.

We took some videos from Cathedral Cove Viewing Deck and then we went for a Cathedral Cove Walk.

There are options to go north or south from Cathedral Cove Viewing Deck. Cathedral Cove is north direction and it takes about 45 minutes to get to Cathedral Cove. South direction is to Hahei Beach and it should take about 25 minutes to get there.

We took some videos of Smiling sphinx rock, cathedral cove and Te Hoho Rock and then we continued our track to another viewpoint which is located on the cliff behind Te Hoho Rock.

Views from the viewing deck were spectacular. I made a small timelapse from the viewing point behind Te Hoho Rock.

On your way to Cathedral Cove you pass Gemstone Bay in about 15 minutes and Stingray Bay in about 20 minutes. Both of Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay are nice spots for snorkelling.

After Cathedral Cove we went to Hot Water Beach. It is only about a 15 minute drive from Cathedral Cove to Hot Water Beach.

Hot Water Beach was named among the top 10 beaches in the world by the Lonely Planet Travel Guide.

There is geothermal activity 2km beneath the surface of hot water beach which results in water with a temperature up to 64 C bubbling just under the surface of the sand at low tide. At low tide you can bring your own spade or shovel and dig your own personal spa pool in the sand.

Hot Water Beach is also known for its dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves, holes and submerged rocks.

At the end of our Coromandel trip we went to Mount Paku in Tairua. Mount Paku summit offers awesome 360 degrees panoramic views. Mount Paku Scenic views of Tairua, Pauanui, the Tairua River, Shoe Island, Slipper Island and the Aldermen Islands are stunning.

After Mount Paku we hit the road and drove about 4 and half hours to Tongariro National Park.

Only few days after we left Coromandel some sections of roads which I showed you were severely damaged or washed away altogether by sea surges.

Cameras used:
Panasonic Lumix LX15
GoPro Hero5 Black

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