Miranda Cycle Trail

We left Coromandel town and drove back over the mountains.  We stopped at this viewpoint...

... to get views like this.

Further down the coast we stopped at the Colenso Cafe, a lovely garden and orchard setting.

We left the bus at Kopu (near Thames) and took the car around to Miranda, then cycled back.  This bridge is one of the places the trail loops back to the road to cross creeks.

Most of the trail was like this - flat with Coromandel's mountains on the horizon.

That's me...

... and that dot is Malcolm going on ahead to pick up the bus...

 ...while I waited at this cafe.  I found the trail very long on a hot day!

Then we drove up the western side of the Firth of Thames to ray's rest.  The area suffered a huge storm a week ago and all the shells from the beach were swept inland.  It looked like snow, quite dazzling in the sun.

Coromandel Town and the 309 Road

We went into Coromandel township in the morning - always a quirky part of the peninsula.  Nothing opened until 10.00 - laid back!  After coffee we all went to Waiau Waterworks on the 309 Road, known as the quirkiest theme park in NZ.  We also checked out the Waiau falls and a Kauri Grove featuring the Siamese Kauri (a double one).  Later it was drinks under our awning and dinner at a cafe in town :-)

At the Waiau Waterworks

At the falls.

The kauri grove...

..with the Siamese Kauri - a double one.

Driving Creek

Today we drove over the wild mountains to Coromandel Town. Our bus was the only vehicle at the NZMCA park :-) Jo and Allister were close behind us and came for coffee - we had the awning and chairs out. Then we went to Driving Creek Railway, which has extended slightly since we were there years ago - it now has a viewing platform with amazing views. The place itself is still funky. We also looked around a predator-proof animal sanctuary at Driving Creek before finding a really nice cafe for lunch nearby. In the afternoon I went with Jo and Allister for a swim in the afternoon at Wyuna Bay while Malcolm chilled out at the bus.  Nice pub meal for dinner.

Our camping spot at Coromandel.  2 mins walk to town centre and 2 mins the other way to Jo and Allister's motel.

At Driving Creek Railway there are many clay and pottery creations.  It was originally a pottery and the owner/potter, Barry Bricknell, made the original part of the railway to get up the hillsides for clay.

Now the train ride is a tourist attraction...

...with bridges, tunnels...

..and all kinds of quirky creatures tucked into the bush.

This is near the top - and where the railway used to stop when we last visited.

Now there is the 'Eyefull tower' with great views.

Hmm, who are these guys?

A clay Kauri tree.

Afternoon swimming spot.

New Chums Beach

Did a road trip out to Opito early this morning, one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. Then we went to Whangapoua and walked over to New Chums Beach. Another swim for me.

Otama Beach looking out to Great Mercury Island

Opito Bay

Whangapoua Beach, walking to New Chums which is the next bay around.  The track goes through bush and over the headland...

...finally comes out through a grove of nikau and really old pohutukawa to New Chums beach.  This was bought by the people of NZ through crowdfunding.

That's me having a swim at New Chums.

Then we found this cool funky cafe - of which there are many on the Coromandel.

Cathedral Cove

We are exploring the Coromandel Peninsula.  This is our spot at the NZMCA park at Whitianga.

We drove around to Hahei and walked along the beach and track to Cathedral Cove (about 2 and 1/2 hours return).

Heading over to Cathedral Cove.

The famous arch at Cathedral Cove.

That's me having a swim - the water was lovely, really clear and refreshing.

Looking back on the cove from the track.

That's Cathedral Cove on the left middle from the track.

Next we drove around to Cooks Beach stopping at Mercury estate Winery for (not wine!!) coffee and cake.