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Kaiaua and Shorebird Coast information
The 10km Pūkorokoro-Miranda to Kaiaua leg of the Hauraki Rail Trail takes in all the beauty of the serene coastline that’s home to hundreds of migratory seabirds.
Hauraki It’s a destination not a toilet stop – that’s Plains Ward the wisdom of locals promoting their patch by the sea. Chair Gill Leonard. Hauraki Plains Ward Chair Gill Leonard announced that work would begin at the Pūkorokoro-Miranda end of the trail in people have also questioned the safety of October 2020, and it was expected the allowing trail users to share the road with trail would be ready to ride by March 2021, vehicles when crossing the County Bridge,” with the exception of a small section at the she said. Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve that is off To keep it safe for riders, the Council is limits for trail builders until April, due to painting wide shoulder lines and other the resident bittern population. markings on the bridge, as well as installing Councillor Leonard says the council cycle safety signs 50 metres before and received lots of feedback from residents. after the bridge, as a precaution. “We heard there was a preference for the The Council got $80,000 towards a car trail to stick to the seaward side of the parking and freedom camping area at road north of the County Bridge so we’ve Kaiaua from the latest round of the MBIE adjusted our plans to reflect that. Some Tourism Infrastructure Fund, that helps local councils meet public infrastructure needs where visitor growth is placing
Continued from previous page hot springs? Happily mother nature has pressure on existing facilities. The project provided them just for you … also has the support of the NZ Motor The Miranda Hot Springs has a large Caravan Association which is contributing 47m by 17m natural thermal hot pool, $10,000. surrounded by well-kept grounds ideal Kaiaua is a renowned fishing town with a relaxed, country vibe. for picnics and barbecues. The children’s pool is maintained at a cooler temperature while the adult-only sauna pool sits at There’s a great deal to see and do in this around 40°C-41°C. In “The Miranda Hot Springs has a large 47m by 17m natural thermal hot pool.” area so staying a night at the Bay View Hotel might be a good option. The Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre is educational, warm and inspiring. Bird lovers won’t want to rush the sight of thousands of migratory shorebirds feeding and nesting along the Firth coast backed by the Coromandel range on your cycle toward Kopu. addition, there’s four private spa pools. Shorebirds are here on the coast all year round, the highest numbers are present from January to March. The Shorebird Center is open 9-5 but you can go and see the birds whenever the tide is in, though best to try and get there 2hrs either side of high tide if you can time your trip. As for the other major attraction of this stretch of coast, what could be more perfect for cyclists than natural The tide on this stretch of coast is similar to the Thames high tide, so check the Metservice website for tide times.
Did you know?
A male kuaka/godwit is the talk of the global ornithological community after setting what appears to be a new world record for a non-stop migration marathon from Alaska to the Firth of Thames.
During its migration the adult godwit, fitted with a transmitter last November, was tracked across the
Pacific Ocean, and covered more than 12,000kms in 9.3 days, touching speeds close to 100km/h.
The bird is named 4BBRW – after the bands on its legs – and was tracked by satellites. Its estimated flight time was 224 hours.
It left Alaska 18 September and arrived in the Firth of Thames around 9.30pm on 27 September – nine straight days airborne. 10 l Hauraki Rail Trail
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5THE NEW BEST REASONS TO VISIT THE SHOREBIRD COAST ZEALAND CYCLE TRAI
Ray’s Rest. If you’re a campervan owner or renter, this spot along the shorebird coast provides front row seats to an internationally significant landform. Over thousands of years, tides from the north have slowly deposited sand, gravel and cockle shells to form New Zealand’s only chenier plain. To soothe those tired muscles after your cycle, soak up the mineral thermal waters at the Miranda Hot Springs. The $5 real fruit yoghurt icecreams at the ice cream stalls on SH 25 Waitakaruru.
Pick your own blueberries, grab a real fruit icecream and a coffee at Blueberry Country in Ngatea which is open December to February when their berries are ready for harvest. 229 Central Road South, Ngatea. Kaiaua’s pirate-themed playground has had the addition of a new wooden pirate treasure trunk so let your hearties find this and more fun at the seafront park.
l Motels with spa baths, self-contained units, backpacker units, family units and sites to suit most budgets l Centrally located to Auckland, Coromandel and Waikato regions, a great base for day trips
l Communal kitchens, WiFi, Sky TV & lounge, hot mineral pool, dump stations, large range of free recreational activities on site l Direct entrance onto the Hauraki Rail Trail RESERVATIONS
Ph: 07 867 3205 595 Front Miranda Rd, RD6, Thames
Email: stay@mirandaholidaypark.co.nz www.mirandaholidaypark.co.nz
THAME MESTHAME MESTHAMES
Pahau StPollen St Mackay StCochrane StDavy StTo Coromandel PennisulaBrown S t 25 Hospital Thames School of Mines Brown StQueen St Mary St Edward St Shopping / Cafés Sealey St FranklinStLambert StSandes St The Terrace Hill St Richmond St Hape Rd Queen St Pollen St Rolleston StWilloughby StMackay St Grey St
Thames Coastal Cycle / Walkway - Wharf to Kuranui Bay (3km return)
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Information Centre Heritage Site Bike Hire / Bike Servicing Café/ Restaurant Toilets The Wharf
Car Park Accommodation Campervans Camping Start / Finish Fenton St Jellicoe Cres
25 Parawai RdHeale StBanks St
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B
Rail Trail to / from Kaiaua (A) Paeroa (B)
To K o pu / A uckl and Brunton Cres
To Kauaeranga Valley
Thames i-SITE 200 Mary Street, New Zealand. Phone: 07 868 7284 Photo / TCDC thames.info@thecoromandel.com 12 l Hauraki Rail Trail For information on Places to Dine, Accommodation and Things to See & Do in Thames visit...
