Jet lag didn’t seem to affect our travel. We seemed to be so excited to be there that adrenalin was powering us. A couple of day to gather the supplies we needed an we were off to the Coromandel peninsula.
It is on the western end of the Bay of Plenty. The peninsula is steep and hilly, covered by temperate rainforest and is relatively isolated, undeveloped and sparsely inhabited.
Plenty to do in your travels up there.
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway takes in the remote northern part of the Coromandel, the last frontier. The road up to the trailhead becomes a gravel ribbon along the rocky shoreline with dramatic views of the Haraki Gulf. You can hike or mountain bike the route through pristine native bush and around several headlands along sheer cliffs. Bring a camera. You won’t want to miss this.
The best photography if you have clear weather is The Pinnacles walk. This is an overnight walk taking you up to the peak of the peninsula where you will have great sunrise and sunsets.
The Hauraki Rail Trail also runs through the area and is a very scenic bike ride of up to 136 km.
Cathedral Cove is another place we went as we explored the Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve. Several walking tracks give you access to this as well as Gemstone Bay. From its beautiful beach you can view pinnacle rocks and look off into the areas islands. The water is crystal clear and wonderful for swimming or kayaking.
Another special place if you want to get away from it all is New Chum Beach which is voted as one of the world’s top beaches. It is a stunning stretch of golden sand fringed by Pohutukawa and native forest only accessible by foot or boat. Truly a place that is good for your soul.