After landing in Auckland, we stayed for two days and then took some detours to get to Wellington. We camped all the way north on the Coromandel Peninsula, Stopped at Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach, explored Hobbtion in Matamata and stayed two relaxing nights in Kawhia.
Sadly we didn’t see much of Auckland besides Mount Eden and the City Center. But we’ll be back!
The most northern part of Coromandel is stunningly beautiful and quiet. We camped in fantail bay, which is a small and pretty camping ground, right at the water. But next time, I am going to stay in Port Jackson right at the beach.
Somewhere on our way to the Cathedral Cove and the Hot water Beach we found a little waterfall along the road and went for a swim. Cathedral Cove is worth visiting, but regarding the Hot Water Beach (sorry, no pictures here), I prefer the one in Kawhia, below.
We stop also made a quick stop in Hobbiton to see Bilbo & Co. It is cool to see the movie set, but sadly you get a little rushed through, it is overpriced and privately owned. But hey, at least there is a free beer in the Green Dragon Inn.
Kawhia is a wonderfull place to relax. A small little town with a supermarket closing a 4 pm, a bay that you can almost walk through and big and empty black sand beach with hot springs in the sand.
