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Tour Details: |
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| Departs |
Auckland |
| Pick Up /Drop Off |
Yes |
| Best taken |
All Year Round |
| Duration |
2 days |
| Fitness Level |
Normal, Some walking required |
| Transport |
Included |
| Meals |
Not included |
| Accommodation |
1 night at Halcyon Heights Bed & Breakfast subject to availability cost not included |
| Group size |
Min. 1 - Max. 7 |
| You will need: |
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| Summer: |
Jandals, swimming gear, sun screen. |
| Winter: |
Windbreaker |
| Additional Activities |
Kayaking |
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| If you are after a good thrill and would love some adrenalin rush, you can kayak from Hahei beach to Cathedral Cove! |
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Optional Services
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Download your images to DVD
- Memory card backup
- Post production assistance
Check another Tour
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| HOME / TOURS / COROMANDEL |
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| The Coromandel Peninsula Experience |
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Tour Highlights: |
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- Explore the Coromandel Peninsula and coastline
- Cathedral Cove
- Hot Water Beach
- The Halcyon Heights bird sanctuary
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| DAY 1 |
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Our destination is the Coromandel Peninsula
Driving South on State Highway One, we turn east just after the Bombay Hills and head towards Thames. The countryside is beautiful with many opportunities for scenic shots.
Thames town is small and picturesque with a colourful Saturday street Market. If your tour falls on a Saturday we'll stop and check it out!
The narrow road after Thames follows the coastline at first and then climbs up the Coromandel Ranges. The scenery is breath taking with excellent photo opportunities.
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There are live oyster stalls along the way and some of the best smoked fish is found in Coromandel town. |
We stop for lunch at Coromandel town and enjoy some leisurely time browsing the numerous galleries and curio shops. |
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Photo Opportunities: |
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- The countryside
- Thames Town
- The Coromandel coastline
- Scenic Views
- Coromandel Town
- Cathedral Cove
- Hahei Beach
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| The rest of our journey for the day towards Whitianga is no less spectacular as we follow the coastline on a winding road up and down the hills.
We'll try to reach our accommodation for the night at Halcyon Heights just before darkness falls to watch the sun setting behind the hills and enjoy the sounds of the birds settling down for the night.
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Halcyon Heights has the biggest bird collection in the South Pacific set in the beautiful surroundings of the Ounuora River Valley. (Stay at the Halcyon Heights B&B is subject to availability and early booking.) |
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| DAY 2 |
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An early start to the next day is rewarding with beautiful light pouring down the hills.
After breakfast we continue our journey towards Hahei beach and Cathedral Cove. If the tide is right, we enjoy a hot pool at Hot Water Beach.
Then we walk to the spectacular limestone arch at Cathedral Cove. The 45 min. walk is exhilarating with fantastic scenery and photo opportunities.
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Watching the light change as the sun goes down at Cathedral Cove it's a magical experience. The rocks seem to shift shape and change expression as if fare welling the day. |
And so will we at some point, and embark on our trip back to Auckland. |
| MAP |
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| NOTES |
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| Depending on the season and weather and your personal preferences our itinerary may change. |
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| Video |
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Additional Info:
The name Coromandel
The Coromandel Peninsula takes its name from HMS Coromandel, which sailed into Coromandel Harbour around 1820.
Gold
The first rumours of gold in New Zealand came from the Coromandel Peninsula in the 1820s
The first big strike was near Thames in August 1867, when a speck of gold was seen in the rock face of a waterfall in Kuranui Stream.
Hot Water Beach
How?
Some volcanoes develop underground reservoirs of heated water. Over time, this water will escape to the surface cooling on the way. There are two fissures at Hot Water Beach releasing water as hot as 64ºC (147ºF) at a rate as high as 15 litres/minute.
When to go?
One hour either side of low tide, so check the tide table. |
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