THE COROMANDEL, BAY OF PLENTY & EASTLAND > Continued from p.33
KAUAERANGA KAURI TRAIL (PINNACLES WALK) 3
TRACK OVERVIEW
Because this track is largely all downhill as it heads to the coast, getting there is easier than returning - but it is worth making the effort. After about 10 minutes walking, look for a sign that points to Gemstone Bay; there you’ll find a popular snorkel trail with information panels on buoys that tell you more about what you’re seeing in the water. If snorkelling isn’t on your agenda, keep walking for a further 20 minutes to a sign pointing to Stingray Bay; follow that direction to enjoy the clear waters and stingrays or keep on walking directly to Cathedral Cove, said by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in The Coromandel. Gaze at the view through the famous rock archway Te Hoho Rock, one of the most photographed outlooks in New Zealand. Be sure to wear sensible shoes, and if it’s summer take sunscreen, drinking water and your swimsuit.
WHITIANGA Holiday mode starts now. Kick back and enjoy the café culture in Whitianga town centre, then book a boat excursion to Mercury Bay or hire an e-bike, take it on the 10-minute ferry between Whitianga and Ferry landing, and zip up the coast to Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove. No bike? No worries. Enjoy the walk to secluded Cooks Beach, just 40 minutes each way. Later, stroll along the esplanade at Buffalo Beach and venture to The Lost Spring, where all-natural hot lagoons are fed from water sources 667m below the ground. If you have family in tow, children love the petting zoo at Whiti Farm Park and Mill Creek Bird and Animal Encounters is just 10 minutes out of Whitianga with a huge range of exotic and native birds.
Beautiful sweeping views, fascinating history and extraordinary native forest.
Where is it? In the Kauaeranga Valley, 13km east of Thames.
Terrain Bush tracks, rock steps, swing bridges, ladders.
Good to know The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre is an excellent place to find information on track conditions, watch an audio visual display and visit the built-to-scale model of a kauri dam.
No dogs
1-2 days Good fitness level required Challenging walk
Sunset at the Pinnacles © Destination Coromandel
TRACK OVERVIEW From the 1870s to the 1920s, this peaceful forest echoed with the sound of intense milling, as regal kauri giants were felled for the growing nation. Today visitors can follow the old packhorse tracks that took supplies to the loggers. Walking through bush canopy and regenerating forest, hikers will see giant stumps, remnants from impressive kauri dams and tramlines, while the views from the towering Pinnacles (759m) are the highlight of the trail. You will need to put in some serious effort but the reward will be stunning views across The Coromandel and out to the east coast. Choose between walking there and back on the Webb Creek Track (6-8hr return) or take the Billy Goat Track (8-10hr) and make a loop. This ruggedly spectacular walk is one of the country’s most popular overnight adventures.
G E O -T H E R M A L P O O L S , D AY S P A & D I N I N G
Escape to The Lost Spring
Escape to The Lost Spring
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