The Coromandel

We got a bit of late start on our way to the Coromandel Peninsula. It was going to be a 3+ hour drive as we had to traverse Auckland City and the traffic was going to be tough. To make things just a little longer, Terri will sometimes incorporate a new spot in our travels. She decided that we should visit Thames on the way up the peninsula. As close as it seemed on google maps, the jaunt added close to an hour to our travel time. This happens often: we are driving along, Terri checks google maps and I hear, “ah oh- that can’t be right.” However, I am used to it, after all, it’s an adventure! After getting Through Auckland and visiting Thames we needed a good break.

We stopped for a hike at the Waiomu Kauri Grove, a 3+ mile hike through fern grottos and forest areas.

We made it to Coromandel town and decided to “freedom camp.”

Freedom camping sites are sites that are often in great locations and are totally free. They are almost everywhere in NZ and easily found. There are usually 2-6 camping spots, (parking spaces), per area but they have no power hook-ups, wi-fi or toilets so you must have a certified “self-contained” vehicle. Britzy qualifies.

The spot we found was in a basic public parking lot but since it was already late and we were heading out early the next morning, we decided to try out freedom camping. I had dumped and filled the appropriate tanks that morning and was confident we would make it through the nite.

After we parked, we walked through town and were about to turn back when I spotted a pub and convinced Terri, ( which was not difficult), that we should stop and enjoy a beverage. It was a very “locals” place with almost everyone, (8 men), all sitting and watching horse & dog racing. It was a lively spot as many were betting on the races and discussing the races, (wins, losses and stupid bets), with great energy. As one of the men approached a place-betting machine I asked about the “odds” as the display was different from what I’ve seen in the past. This immediately started what turned into a long conversation with “Willow.”

Before long, Willow had introduced us, (en masse), to the rest of the local as his “new American friends.” He insisted on buying the beer – despite my objections – not talking politics of either country, (except to query about Gavin Newsome !?!), and on answering any question we had. It was a great time in a local pub chatting with local construction guys that were interested in CA politics, who would have thought?

We woke early the next morning to go to Hahei Beach, our next stop-over. But first we needed to stop and hike to one of the top 10 beaches in the world, New Chums Beach. You cannot drive to New Chums Beach, there are no roads. It’s hike or boat in and that helps to keep it unspoiled.