Coromandel Trip

[ABFoz]

Last month we decided to tour the Coromandel Peninsula. This tour is more of a proper holiday as I am with non-offroad-touring family members. There isn’t that much off-roading here as I am surprised at how well-maintained and develop that part of the region is.

On day 1, we started with the obligatory Cathedral Cove visit and there isn’t that much into it as the way to the actual pyroclastic hole itself has a proper asphalt walkway.

That is a highly silicic dome. I haven’t gone near it but it may be a plutonic one instead of volcanic.

WWI Memorial Forest. The forest is to the upper-right of the photo. The etched tree on the board can be seen behind.

The tree that just refuses to be anthropocised.

Since Cathedral Cove is crowded, its magnificence is somewhat reduced.

Wild goats

The islets are supposed to be of the same rock group as the area I am standing on.

Day 2 is the Port Jackson tour through the 309 road, which is not an ideal route, although it’s much shorter than using the highway. People there just don’t know how to drive on loose surfaces.

This Kauri family is located on the way to Port Jackson through the 309 road.

The entrance area is biosecurity-enforced.

Little mantis.

I prefer to park in reverse anywhere after having worked in the mines and then after coming back from the Kauri family, I found fellow Subarus parked beside the Forester. I know Subarus are abundant here in NZ but it seems that, in my experience, subconsciously, Subaruers prefer to park beside fellow Subaruers.

 

[ABFoz]

The road to Port Jackson is gravel but it is just too well maintained for such a place that is somewhat isolated.

It rained in Port Jackson. There is not much to see there but a campsite that is somewhat busy.

This lava hole is the place where we decided to visit as it’s a lava hole and I am just interested.

This is the most dispersed the Forester had been in this tour.

The way to and from port Jackson is just lined with Pohutukawas. Imagine if this is visited in December, it would be Christmas-like with all the flowers in the trees, though very hot.

He’s trying to relax. We’re many metres away from him, by the way, as required by the DoC.

 

[Ben Up North]

Beautiful shots there. Pity about all the other tourists.
This is my favourite:

I think....

 

[ABFoz]

Day 3 is just the popular but crowded Karangahake Gorge visit.

I am not sure if I can make time to do another tour this year. The holiday season is fast-approaching and I may just be locked into my meetings and in front of my computer.

 

[ABFoz]

Yup, I like how the trees follow the angle of the slope of the hills, @Ben Up North.

 

[jf1sf5]

Very nice, It remembers me of some places when I visited New Zealand 22 years ago....!

 

[Kevin]

Great pics - thanks for sharing!

 

[ratters]

Oh man I loved the Coromandel peninsula when I visited NZ for the first time this year. It really actually reminded me of home (Tasmania) and I swore that one day I'd love to come back and just spend 2 weeks relaxing in that area.
Our GPS took us over the 309 road one day during a torrential downpour, there were literally places with 10" of slushy mud and I was chuffed about putting our hire car BMW X3 through it despite the 'no gravel roads' disclaimer. Great fun! I had to take the car to a car wash because it was literally brown from top to bottom!
Driving creek railway and hot water beach were a bit of fun.

 

[ABFoz]

Always happy to share, mates.

@ratters, yes, some of my old acquaintances who came from Tasmania said that they were properly fascinated how NZ mirrors many places in Tasmania. They said it didn't give them the blues when they moved here.

BMW X3 as a hire car? According to many, hire cars are the best/fastest/most capable cars! I bet you enjoyed driving it.

 

[ratters]

I wouldn't normally hire a BMW but there was a deal on which made it cheaper than a Camry so we took it. And I will admit I treated it with the most respectful way, as hard as possible!! The traction control actually worked rather well in the mud, I was suitably impressed.

 

[temmah]

but it seems that, in my experience, subconsciously, Subaruers prefer to park beside fellow Subaruers.

I certainly do.

Great pics. Sounds like a good trip.