On the morning of February 19th, I got up for my final day on the North Island of New Zealand.  Today, I was visiting Coromandel region, an area that should never be missed when visiting the North Island, no one can be disappointed with a visit to this area.  This drive is at least one full day and would certainly be more enjoyable if spread over a couple days as there is so much to see and do in this area.

Having only the one day I was able to take my time to stop and smell the roses.  I broke up the drive by strategically stopping at various sites along the way.  First, I stopped at Owharoa Falls which sounded like thunder when you get up close.  After all the rain from the night before more that usual water was coming over the falls which was impressive, however, I would prefer to see it as a cascade waterfall. 

My next stop was at Island View Reserve.  This was a nice beach with a great view.  I didn’t stay very long and while on my path to my next stop, I had to stop for a photo op … I could not get over how green the grass was after the rain, absolutely stunning. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I stopped at Tairua Ocean Beach Reserve to eat the lunch I prepared the day before.  What a great place

to stop and have a lunch!  To sit by the car and hear the waves hitting the shoreline was such a treat. 

                                       

​

​

​

                                           Continuing on my way, I drove up a steep hill.  Being a curious individual, I took a little                                           drive up a side road to the top of Pumpkin Hill.  Well, I have to say, what an absolutely                                             stunning view from here.  On this same side road there was a different road that                                                       branched off to the left [when you are driving in on this side road] and this takes you to                                           the beach.  I parked the car in the small parking lot where there was only one other car                                             and walked to the beach that was a couple minutes walk.  Walking up the beach, I came                                           across a sign pointing to a grave site.  This site was called “The Sailors Grave”  and has                                             been here from the 1800’s.  What was nice was a local family had been tending to this                                               site for 2-3 generations.

​

​

​

The next stop was a unique Hot Water Beach.  I loved this area and stayed here for over an hour.  The uniqueness is that in a specific part of the beach you dig down in the sand and the water will be warm.  The further down you dig the hotter the water will be.  Some people were digging a hole to put their feet in and others dug deep enough that they can sit in it.  This was neat to see … talk about the best kind of spa … and it is free!  LOL