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The Land of the Long White Cloud! Coromandel Peninsula Some of New Zealand's most beautiful scenery and much of its early history lie in the north. We drove straight down Hwy 1 from Auckland and then turned east toward Thames and the Coromandel Peninsula, our first destination. The mountain backbone of the peninsula is made up of rugged volcanic peaks and steep gorges shrouded in forest. The beautiful landscape was enhanced by the remoteness of the area. Unfortunately much of the scenery at the higher altitudes was concealed by the misty rain that clung to the hill tops. |
Views from high up on the hills were cloaked in mist from the rain and low lying clouds. |
Dozens of excellent beaches fringe the Peninsula and driving around the Firth of Thames Bay, we encountered several marvelous beaches, all but deserted as a result of the rain. |
Kauri Forest |
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A few remnants of kauri forest managed to survive heavy logging in the early nineteen century followed by the devastation caused by thousands of miners who flooded into the area after the gold strikes were made. We took a stroll along the boardwalk that ran through a 1200 year old stand of kauri trees. Surf and Turf! Past the town of Coromandel we headed to the east coast of the peninsula, where there are numerous beautiful unspoiled beaches and some famous ones too, like the Hot Water Beach. |
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A sweeping sandy surf beach fronts the expansive Whangapoua Harbour. |
Opito was also gorgeous beach and we would have loved to spend some time if the weather had been better. |
Cathedral Cove is famous for its huge limestone archway that connects two beautiful beaches. |
PHOTOS COROMANDEL to TAURANGA |
next..... |
ROTORUA>>>> |