Coromandel Magic

This morning you are picked up from your home address and transferred to join our coach and fellow travellers.  Depart Auckland and travel south towards Ngatea and Paeroa with its many great antique stores.  Paeroa is proclaimed antiques capital of NZ and of course New Zealand’s very first own natural soft drink “Lemon & Paeroa” which made Paeroa “World famous in New Zealand”.  It’s then to Waihi—New Zealand’s Heart of Gold where we will make a stop at Martha’s Mine.    Continue onto Whangamata and the township of Tairua then onto Hot Water Beach famous for the hot pools that can be dug on the beach either side of low tide.  With a rich history, Hot Water Beach was used as a radar station/look out point by the American soldiers in the 2nd World War, hence the naming of the main road being Radar Road.  Late afternoon we will arrive at our accommodation for two nights in Whitianga. Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Enjoy breakfast at a local cafe.  The town of Whitianga is the main hub of Mercury Bay with its beautiful harbour making Whitianga the home of the Mercury Bay Boating club and the main departure point for big game fishing enthusiasts and many other water activities.

This morning is at leisure before we make our way to Whitianga Wharf where we will enjoy a cruise to Cathedral Cove, Hahei Beach, local islands sea caves and blow holes.  If you are lucky, you may see dolphins, orca, and seals during the tour. Our boat is a catamaran which means a smoother ride for everyone. Return to our accommodation late afternoon then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast we will travel through to Coromandel town where we join our local guide for a tour of historic Coromandel township—a haven for talented artists & craftspeople who have moved here from around New Zealand. The town has a unique character, soul and ambience reflecting art and heritage.  Homegrown cuisine is in abundance from its raw form, to elegantly cooked at the many local restaurants. The discovery of gold in 1852 brought a boom to Coromandel Town, and the area has continued to flourish while retaining a rich stock of surviving heritage buildings. We have time to enjoy lunch (own expense) before we make our way to Driving Creek Railway. Nestled amongst regenerating native forest near Coromandel Town Driving Creek Railway is a narrow-gauge mountain trail lined with unique and colourful pottery. It’s all aboard as you enjoy a   scenic one-hour train ride up to the ‘Eyefull Tower’, where colossal views stretch out over the Hauraki Gulf and Islands.  You will be inspired by the story of one man’s lifetime passion to bring Art, Conservation and Engineering together to create Driving Creek. Your train driver will entertain you with the story of Barry Brickell and how this amazing place came to be. Hear how pottery has played an important role in creating Driving Creek and of their work to return the Driving Creek property to pre-European times as we travel over large viaducts, through tunnels and reversing points. Spy hidden gems along the way, unique pottery sculptures and artworks. This is much more than a railway journey.

Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant

Enjoy continental breakfast in our rooms before we farewell Coromandel Town.  Today we will coach to the historical town of Thames, located between the Firth of Thames and the majestic ranges of the Coromandel. Thames is proud of its heritage and is connected to the natural environment with an expansive bush wilderness as its backdrop. There are also many delightful shops here with local produce, art and friendly service. Here, we visit the local museum which tells the  regions rich history.

Step through the doors of the Thames Museum and travel back in time; discover the stories behind the development of this area, from the arrival of Polynesian voyagers in the 13th century through to the visit by James Cook in the Endeavour in 1769, the discovery of gold in 1867 and on to the mid 1900s.  We will also experience the tranquil beauty of the  Rapaura Watergardens.  A ‘Garden of Distinction”. Awarded by the Canterbury Horticulture Society, Rapaura was one of the initial 12 gardens to receive this award. Irises and Bog plants in spring, Azaleas and Rhododendrons followed by Orchids, Begonias, Hydrangeas and Water Lilies from November to April.

All interspersed with garden art.  Rapaura is an example of man in harmony with nature. Abundant native bush and ferns, birds (Tuis, Fantails, Silver Eyes and Wood Pigeons), meandering walks over bridges and streams and a bush walk to a cascading waterfall. There are seasonal displays of native and exotic flowers. We arrive in Auckland late afternoon where our team will be waiting to transfer you to your home address anywhere within the greater Auckland region.

For those outside of Auckland, we will transfer you to the domestic airport for your homeward flight.