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Monday, 4 April, Hot Sand and Volcano Climbing.
The plan for today was to experience a bit of North Island's natural volcanism so to start we follow the signs some 15km south from Whitianga to Hahei and Hot Water Beach. For two hours either side of low tide it is possible to experience hot natural springs that bubble up, or just below the surface of the beach sand. As luck would have it, low tide was at 9.45am so when we arrived at around 8.15am it was the perfect time. Whilst some like to dig holes and make their own spa bath we just walked along the beach and experienced the hot water on our feet. Much better than sand in the bathers, which admittedly, the other folks seemed to enjoy.
Coffee was at "Hotties" the appropriately named café at Hot Water Beach. Just up the coast is another well-known natural wonder at Cathedral Cave. A 45-minute cliff top walk from the car park at Hahei takes you on to the beach and a natural arch that the waves have sculpted from soft volcanic pumice. We took photos from the cliff top but did not walk through the cave.
Our hotel tonight is at Mt Maunganui which is the sister town to Tauranga, on the opposite shore of the inlet at Waipu Bay. We drive from the Coromandel Peninsula south to the Bay of Plenty along coastal winding roads that offer spectacular sea views. Lunch is at Katkati whose claim to fame, aside from growing prodigious amounts of kiwi fruit, are a set of murals along the main street depicting local scenes and identities, sometimes with a humorous twist. Ready made for the tourist with a camera.
Tauranga is the biggest city in the Bay of Islands region. We drive along the raised motorway, across the inlet, and find our motel. Tony is forgiven, the 2 bedroom apartment is spacious and has a spa. As we have some time in the afternoon, Tony and Kathy drive to Mauao, otherwise known as the Mount, to climb up this 200m high lump of rock. It sits at the entrance to Tauranga harbour at the end of Omanu Beach which TripAdvisor nominates as the "Best Beach in NZ." The view from the top is as good as promised.
The plan for today was to experience a bit of North Island's natural volcanism so to start we follow the signs some 15km south from Whitianga to Hahei and Hot Water Beach. For two hours either side of low tide it is possible to experience hot natural springs that bubble up, or just below the surface of the beach sand. As luck would have it, low tide was at 9.45am so when we arrived at around 8.15am it was the perfect time. Whilst some like to dig holes and make their own spa bath we just walked along the beach and experienced the hot water on our feet. Much better than sand in the bathers, which admittedly, the other folks seemed to enjoy.
Coffee was at "Hotties" the appropriately named café at Hot Water Beach. Just up the coast is another well-known natural wonder at Cathedral Cave. A 45-minute cliff top walk from the car park at Hahei takes you on to the beach and a natural arch that the waves have sculpted from soft volcanic pumice. We took photos from the cliff top but did not walk through the cave.
Our hotel tonight is at Mt Maunganui which is the sister town to Tauranga, on the opposite shore of the inlet at Waipu Bay. We drive from the Coromandel Peninsula south to the Bay of Plenty along coastal winding roads that offer spectacular sea views. Lunch is at Katkati whose claim to fame, aside from growing prodigious amounts of kiwi fruit, are a set of murals along the main street depicting local scenes and identities, sometimes with a humorous twist. Ready made for the tourist with a camera.
Tauranga is the biggest city in the Bay of Islands region. We drive along the raised motorway, across the inlet, and find our motel. Tony is forgiven, the 2 bedroom apartment is spacious and has a spa. As we have some time in the afternoon, Tony and Kathy drive to Mauao, otherwise known as the Mount, to climb up this 200m high lump of rock. It sits at the entrance to Tauranga harbour at the end of Omanu Beach which TripAdvisor nominates as the "Best Beach in NZ." The view from the top is as good as promised.
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