Sleepin Around New Zealand: First Trip and More!

[Sheddie]

Capri Car Club Summer Camp Hahei, Coromandel Peninsular.
Waitangi Weekend 6th - 8th February 2015.(Sunday)
Sunday was a brilliant sunny day, and a lot of the members were going home today. Those of us who were staying and a few who didn't have so far to go to get home decided to go for the walk to Cathedral Cove. We headed off along the track over the hills and along the cliff tops with magnificent views over the islands and bays.

Hahei Beach




After about a two hour walk we reached the stairs that took us down to the beach. What a beautiful place.

This is the cathedral that joins the two beaches.






It is amazing where trees will grow.




The aerobic team were out over Mercury Bay practicing for their display for Leadfoot at lunchtime.


After a good look around we headed for the water taxi for an easier trip back to Hahei.



There were lots of kayaks paddling their way around the coastline and investigating the many caves.

This sure was a quicker way to get back to Hahei. And a different view of the scenery.



Hahei Beach.

We got back to the camp in time to watch the air display planes circling out over us as they put on their show not far away.

We drove over to the nearby settlements of Cooks Beach and Ferry Landing for a look around and find somewhere for lunch.

Next to the Caffè was the Ferry Landing library. The cutest little library I have seen, I am sure it is smaller than the library in our house.

We found a nice shaded corner in the garden at the back of the Caffè and had pancakes with bacon, banana and maple syrup.
My mouth is watering, just thinking about it






That afternoon back at the camp we sat in the shade and relaxed, then in the evening had a pot luck dinner with the few of us that were still there, to finish off what was left over.

Monday morning we packed up and headed home. Another fantastic weekend in our Tear Drop with good friends, and lots of cars, in a fabulous location.

[ZugZug]

Wow that looks just amazing! I'm yet to visit NZ but you're definitely whetting my appetite for a trip across the water.

That cove just looks absolutely stunning

[felixx]

I am impressed with your adventures and pictures

[Sheddie]

Wow that looks just amazing! I'm yet to visit NZ but you're definitely whetting my appetite for a trip across the water.

That cove just looks absolutely stunning

That is the first time I have been there myself although we have cruised around the area years ago in the boat.
It sure is stunningly beautiful and well worth the walk to get there. There are a few other bays along the way that you can branch off to as well.

I am impressed with your adventures and pictures

Just think it won't be long and you and your family will be out enjoying it too.

[pchast]

Beautiful.

Thanks for the look Frank.

[dales133]

Havnt been to hahei for eons.
Used to camp every year as kids at cooks beach or pauanui, awsum place.
That waterfall over the road from the cooks beach campground d's got a great swimming g hole

[KCStudly]

What a paradise. Thanks again for sharing so many fabulous trips.

[Sheddie]

Beautiful.

Thanks for the look Frank.

Thanks Pete, I always appreciate your reply.

Havnt been to hahei for eons.
Used to camp every year as kids at cooks beach or pauanui, awsum place.
That waterfall over the road from the cooks beach campground d's got a great swimming g hole

We are back down that way again ANZAC Weekend. Will be having a night at Cooks Beach, so may have to look for the waterfall.

What a paradise. Thanks again for sharing so many fabulous trips.

Thanks KC, I have caught up at last, but there are another couple of trips in the planning. Stay tuned.

[dales133]

The waterfalls up a hill there's a track up there, we'll worth a look.
Probably isn't as big to an adult but good swim.
Mums been at the Mt for a week or so

[Sheddie]

So where is this waterfall. I have been looking on goodle maps but cant see any likely spot.

[dales133]

If you find the cooks beach campground...if it's still there or the same place it's more or less directly across the road.keeping in mind I was pretty young.
It's not a huge waterfall but picturesque with good views and swimming hole.ill be speaking to mum in the next day or two so I'll ask her

[Sheddie]

The camp is by the intersection where you turn in to Cooks beach. There is a hill opposite, but it looks like it has been built on now.

[dales133]

Typical!
I'd imagine there's still a cess to it..idk

[Sheddie]

ANZAC Weekend Tour, Coromandel Peninsular.
With the Classic and Sports Car Club Northland. 24th - 27th April 2015. (Day 1).
I first went to Coromandel as a youngster, for our family summer holiday, over the Christmas '65, New Year '66 holiday break. Next was a trip around there in the boat in '78, then took my Mum for a days drive around the peninsular in '97 and my wife and I had a few days there in 2002. So I have not been there a lot, BUT, in the last 14 months have been back there four times, along with our teardrop. It must be something to do with the effects a teardrop has on your life

We met up with the rest of the group at the Oakleigh service station just south of Whangarei. Nine cars and our teardrop. The weather forecast for the weekend was not looking good, but we were all keen and had been looking forward to the trip.

First stop was at Orewa for morning tea, and as promised, the tour organisers in their little grey Austin A30 arrived only 10 minutes behind us. We had a bit of rain on the way, which had now gone, leaving us with dark clouds and a cold wind. We are in the middle of autumn here so only to be expected.


We parked near the beach to have a cuppa, and everyone congregated behind the TD to use it as a wind break.


Not a nice day for the beach although the kiteboarders thought it was ideal
After a short stop we were off to do battle with the Auckland motorway (otherwise known as NZs largest car park). Once through Auckland we headed through the south east suburbs and out into the countryside to follow the coastline to Orere point.




Here we stopped for our lunch break and were joined by the tenth car for our weekend.
The day was a lot nicer by now and we found a nice sheltered spot to park.

From here we continued south along the coast of the Firth of Thames at the bottom of the Hauraki Gulf, for our overnight stop at the camp at the Miranda hot springs.

This is a vast flat area well known for its fishing and bird life. Every so often along the shingle banks were large groups of camper vans and house buses camping.
After dinner at one of the local fish eateries we headed back to the camp for a nice long soak in the hot pool.

[KCStudly]

Another great trip with ever fabulous scenery!