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.