Muse Concert

Tonight we got the chance to see one of our favourite bands, Muse. The gig was fantastic, with spectacular use of lighting and carbon dioxide, and got the whole crowd rocking!

Family Photo

Today is Mum & Dad's last day so we took them for lunch at Long Bay before a family photo in the garden at home before they left.

Wenderholm & Shakespear Regional Parks

We then headed to Wenderholm Regional Park for a picnic lunch and the photo in the picture frame!






The 134 hectare park is home to many native birds, some of which were nesting in the sand dunes, and pohutukawas (New Zealand's Christmas tree).






Then closer to home we called in to Shakespear Regional Park at the end of the Whangaparaoa peninsula.






We walked up to the lookout point to get views over the Hauraki Gulf.

Parry Kauri Park

Today I headed north to show Mum & Dad the native kauri trees so that they could get some idea of the size of these amazing trees.






The park has many native trees and ferns with a great boardwalk throughout the bush.

Muriwari Regional Park

Now back in Auckland, today we headed out west to Muriwai Regional Park.







Muriwai is home to the Takapu Refuge - a gannet colony. It was the end of nesting with most of the nests now empty and eggs hatched.



There were several crazy fishermen braving the wild waves on the rocks - a couple were washed in when we were there but fortunately got themselves out without the aid of the surf live savers.

Driving Creek Railway

Just north of Coromandel Town is Driving Creek Railway an amazing narrow gauge railway running through the bush. The trains and track have been built by a potter originally to bring the clay down from the hillside, but has subsequently developed into a major tourist attraction for the area.



The track is a major feat of engineering climbing up the steep hillside. This photo shows the double switchback where the train has to zig zag up the hill due to the gradient.





There is also a major reversing point which takes the train out high over the bush with sheer drops down - not good for those with vertigo.




The end of the journey is the "Eye-full Tower" which has been built to give panoramic views over the bush and out to the Hauraki Gulf.




At the peak times they take 500 people a day up and down the hillside, but with views like this it is not surprising it is so popular.

The Drive from Whitianga to Coromandel Town

Today we headed across the north eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula between Whitianga over to Coromandel Town. We stopped off at various points on route including Matarangi, which is a developing areas mainly consisting of holiday homes. Although a stunning beach, it meant the area didn't have much character.


The drive also involved a steady winding climb with a viewpoint at the top of the hill. This offered fabulous views over the Firth of Thames to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.



















We stopped off for a picnic lunch at Whangapoua overlooking Wainuiototo Bay.




The beach was deserted and stunning, we will have to come here again soon, as just past the headland to the north is New Chums beach, supposedly New Zealand's best beach and only accessible by foot by walking over the headland.





The drive back to the main road took us past many native ferns and mangrove swamps.

Whitianga

Our base for our short stay in the Coromandel was a nice apartment in Whitianga overlooking the marina. This is the view from our balcony.





Whitianga is a popular holiday destination for kiwis and has a thriving community. There is also a nice beach forming part of Mercury Bay.

Hahei & Cooks Beach

From Rotorua we headed north up to the Coromandel Peninsula with Whitianga our base for the next couple of nights. On route we stopped of at Hahei beach for lunch, walking up to the Cathedral Cove lookout. The cove is not actually visible unless you walk over the headland, or go by boat, but this view gives an idea of the beautiful coastline.


We then headed to Cooks Beach and up to the lookout point with a plaque commemorating James Cook's landing in NZ. The views were down to Cooks Beach in one direction...






...and across to Whitianga in the other direction.

Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest

On the road to Lake Tarewara is the impressive redwoods forest which offers plenty of walking routes.








Hopefully this photo of Mum & Dad gives an example of how tall these trees are.







The forest is also home to many of NZ's native plants and ferns.

Lake Tarawera

Just to the east of Rotorua is Lake Tarawera offering views over to the Mt Tarawera volcano.














The following photo details the volcanic eruption back in 1886 which caused massive destruction to the area, burying a nearby village and destroying the famous pink and white terraces. The landscape left behind though is spectacular.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Today we headed to Rainbow Springs Nature Park just outside of Rotorua. The springs are famous for its trout and they act as a breeding ground, providing specific pools for the young trout to develop before release into the local lakes.




The springs also have a wildlife area with a variety of native and introduced animals including the emu.





There is also a reptile house with tuataras, and a kiwi house where it is difficult to get pictures of the kiwi due to the pitch black surroundings!

Visiting Anna & Tim

On the way back up to Rotorua we took the opportunity to call in to see our friends Anna & Tim who have recently moved from Auckland down to Taupo having bought a 10 acre section and are now building their new home.



From close up the house is huge, and a reminder back to those meccano sets... From the boundary however, the house looks a lot smaller giving a good idea about the size of their section. It will be good to go back soon to see how much further they have got on.

Huka Falls & Lake Taupo

From the thermal area we continued south down to Taupo, stopping off at Huka Falls on the way.






We then had a picnic lunch by the lake with the Tongariro National Park in the distance consisting of the three volcanoes Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu.

Orakei Korako

Heading south from Rotorua is Orakei Korako thermal area which can only be reached by a short ferry crossing across Lake Ohakuri.





This thermal area is slightly less commercial than many of the others around Rotorua, so as a result is much quieter without the hordes of Japanese tourists. There are several geysers around the park, one of which we saw erupt as we walked around the track.





The rainbow terrace is one of the best examples of thermal creativity.





Along with the Golden Fleece Fault Scarp.

Rotorua Museum of Art & History

After a brief trip to Rotorua lake, we headed to the old Bath House which now houses the town's museum. The original building was a spa retreat and many of the old fixtures form part of the museum detailing many of the therapies once used including the electric bath!




The view from the top of the Bath House is across the Government Gardens, which now mainly consist of bowling greens and croquet lawns.

Ohinemutu

Ohinemutu is a Maori village on the side of Lake Rotorua. Here there is the typical Maori marae - Tametekapua Meeting House - with the wooden carvings.







Whilst towards the lake is the historic Maori St Faith's Anglican church.

Tirau

Our trip down to Rotorua took us through the rather strange township of Tirau. This town is famous for its corrugated iron... The information centre and cafe next door are in the shape of a dog and sheep, with numerous other examples of corrugated iron art around the town.