27 July: Covid19 and the slump in the tourist industry meant cheap deals on campervans so Lyn and I booked one through Maui campervans. Picked it up in Auckland on July 27 and set off for the Coromandel Peninsula which neither of us were familiar with. We had been to Waihi with the kids 31 years ago and visited Hahei for a day at that time but apart from that - ignorance.
On the road we headed down SH 1 turning off at Pokeno for the Coromandel. Our van is a Mercedes with plenty of grunt, enough room for us two, a bathroom and loo and cooking amenities. The front seats swivel around to make for extra lounge seating. Our bed we make up each night hassle free. It drives easily, a bit wallowy but once one is used to it its sweet.
First stop Ngatea because Matt had told us about a good second hand bookshop there. Duly patronised and bought books. On then south east through the Karangahake Gorge to Waihi which we ignored and kept on to Athenree Motor Camp. For two reasons: 1, We had stayed there 31 years ago with our three kids and
enjoyed it and 2, it now has hot pools and we felt like a soak. We had joined the Top 10 Holiday Park group so fees are discounted and the camps themselves are kept to a good standard. This one was great; clean, efficiently run, friendly hosts, good location.
28 July: Only stayed one night and next day it was north to Coromandel town via Whangamata, Tairua, a detour to Hot Water Beach (just to have a look), Whitianga (a walk and some groceries) and onward to Coromandel. The roads up here are hilly, narrow, winding, rough and slow going. We soldiered on but it was slow going and took a lot longer than we had expected. Lyn was a bit green at times.
The weather wasnt great - grey, cloudy, showery - but the scenery at times was magnificent. Views out over the ocean to lovely beaches and small islands. back in summer.
Our camp at Coromandel was the Shelly Beach Holiday Park about 5 minutes out of the town. The camps location was right on the water front looking across the Firth of Thames to Auckland. Beautiful. Not a sandy beach, more
Minor panic when I hooked up the van to the camp power. No power in the van. Nothing I did fixed it so I rang the Maui hotline and explained the problem. He made a few suggestions which I mentally but went back to have another look. Sure enough - hidden away under the lid of the camp power pole was small switch. Turned on and hey presto! Ding bat, but in my defence Ive never had to turn a switch on in any other camp site; usually just plug in. The camp manager lit the woodburner for us in the lounge. We ate our tea in there. Very cosy.
29 July: We had booked a trip to the top of the Peninsula with Coromandel Coastal Tours. They drive you to Stony Bay at the top of the eastern side, drop you off and pick you up on the western side at Fletcher Bay after you have walked the 10ks across the top around the coast. Gavin, our driver and guide, told us lots about local history and places we passed though. We stopped at Kennedy Bay where I distinguished myself by placing
my camera on the bumper of the van, forgetting it was there and remembering 2 ks down the road. Stop!! Back we went to the beach but no sign of my precious Sony A6000. However - a couple had arrived at the beach just before we returned and eventually a woman walked up to us and asked, are you looking for something? Out of her pocket she produced it. Shed seen it on the access road to the beach as theyd driven in. No damage, just a few marks. Whoo hoo!!
And so on through Waikawau Bay, Little Bay (beautiful), Big Bay, Port Charles, a stop at Tangiaro for coffee at this in the middle of nowhere used for weddings and other functions to Stony Bay.
What a walk! Fabulous views out to the Pacific and the many islands that crop up off the coast here. Some of the route was pretty steep for two old codgers, as in really bloody steep for 20 minutes at a time but we battled on. Indomitable to the end.
