Coromandel

Only three nights left, then back to Copenhagen! Since Maori art and culture has become so much a part of our New Zealand experience, we decide to amend our original itinerary and spend only two nights on Coromandel and the last day/night in Auckland so that we would have time to see the museum. 

Set out from Rotorua to Whitianga. Seemed straightforward but we get embroiled in Tautanga – get us out of here! Find SH-2 towards Auckland – which is the direction for Coromandel along the Pacific Coastal Highway. We have booked a motel unit as part of a campgrounds – got an end-of-season discount. Turns out to be absolutely perfect. Just right across the road from the beach, outside of the center of town (which is small – but larger than some of the other holiday places on Coromandel so a good size for us). There are several casual eating places and pubs by the marina. Beautiful setting – can understand why this is a favorite vacation spot for Aucklanders. Later walk over to the beach to gaze at the stars – Southern Cross. Can’t get enough of it.

Evening scene across from our motel (well, not directly across)

Next day: Cathedral Cave is the main attraction here, along with the hot mud tubs. However, since we know we don’t have much time to spend on Coromandel, we drive north along the coast instead and stop at a place by Black Jack. Basalt formations, beautiful spot. Drive over to Black Jack Rd. where there is a great picnic spot and Café La La (rare in these parts).

Later in the day we take the 4-minute ferry ride for NZD 6 per person from Whitianga marina to Ferry Landing. From there, it is a 40-minute walk to Cooks Beach. Surprised at the number of homes along the way, as well as motels and inns. Real vacation spot in the high season, but hardly anyone there on a weekday in March. We have the beach to ourselves.

Note: although Coromandel is described in the tourist brochures as a "hippie", arts and crafts place, we didn’t see much evidence of that: one potter's studio and signs to one art studio everywhere. In fact, when we asked about it at the I-Site they were kind of bewildered. But that didn't matter at all. Coromandel is worthy of a lot more time. The coastline is very special due to the erosion – the attraction to Cathedral Cave is understandable. For next time: sail or kayak or paddle along at least some of the coast.