Riding a Harley Davidson around the Coromandel is by far the coolest way of seeing the region. When a Harley roars through a town, everyone stops and stares. Well at least that is what happened when Baz Howie drove into the Breakers Motel, to pick me up for my Harley Tour.
From Whangamata to Hot Water Beach, people stopped to stare and wave as we cruised on by. With the wind in my hair, the loud throbbing of the engine and good old AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’ blaring out of the speakers I felt like Bonnie out of Bonnie and Clyde.
Its from their Waihi base that Howie and wife Ali run Harley-Davidson tours of New Zealand, with the only pre-requisite being the ability to climb on the back of a big bike. Along with offering chauffeured passenger tours, they also hire Harleys to licensed riders and run guided tours of the country.
The winding road from Whangamata to Hot Water Beach follows the picture perfect shoreline and offers breathtaking views along the way. I sank into the backseat of the Electraglide Ultra Classic, perched above Baz in what felt like a comfortable armchair. Before I knew it I was at Hot Water Beach watching Howie coast away and wishing I was still on the back of the Harley.
For information on prices and tours visit his website at: www.harley-tours-new-zealand.co.nz
Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach is a truly unique Kiwi experience that everyone travelling to the North Island of New Zealand should experience!
An underground river of hot water flows from the interior of the earth to the surface in the Pacific Ocean at Hot Water Beach – a long beautiful white beach located between Tairua and Whitianga. The stunning beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offshore Castle Rock, with Pohutukawa lined cliffs at either end of the beach.
Two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can been seen digging their own spa pool in the sand to lie back in and relax while the steam from their hot pool envelops them. With the ebb and flow of the tide each individually created hot pool is washed away clearing the way for the next influx of visitors.
Because we spent more time than expected on the Harley (I couldn’t get enough of it) the tide was already in when we arrived. So that is something I will be returning to experience for myself. It was pretty cool though to see all the people relaxing in the man made holes.
Moko Artspace Hot Water Beach
Moko is an art space at Hot Water Beach, which houses contemporary New Zealand and pacific Art including jewellery, designware, wall art and sculpture.
Literally across the road from Hot Water Beach, we walked over to Moko Artspace after our visit to the famous hot pools. I loved some of the jewellery pieces they had on sale. It was very unique and different and reasonably priced.
For more pictures and information on the art available at Moko Arspace please visit their website at: www.moko.co.nz
Hot Waves Café
This café has an easy-going ambience with an arty interior and lovely garden in which we listened to cool music, while we ate our fabulous food.
Ordering our healthy and very tasty meals we admired the art on the walls, which we soon realised was art pieces from Moko Artspace. Our meals were served with a huge smile and friendly service.
With regular gigs playing at the café, a selection of toys to keep toddlers amused, a few leather sofas for coffee and a chat with friends, this café has something for everyone.
Note: Hot Waves Café is not to be confused with the rather basic snacks at the Hot Water Beach café, which is best for hiring spades and buying ice-creams and beverages.
Sea Kayaking Adventures
As The Coromandel is abundant with forest and marine life, paddling yourself around the Marine Reserve is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with all the reserve has to offer. Based in Hahei, Sea Kayaking Tours offer modern sea kayaks that allowed us to explore caves, coves and blowholes that others simply can’t get to.
The day we went kayaking, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, there was no wind and I was actually building up a sweat in shorts and a shirt. Find that quite hard to believe? Well apparently that is usually the case in the Coromandel.
Rated by NZ’s leading tour companies as one of the best sea kayaking trips in the country, the “Cathedral Cove Classic” has got it all. We paddled through amazing sea caves and explored volcanic islands in the Marine Reserve.
Once we reached our destination, Cathedral Cove we set up shop on the beach and our guide, Mark turned into a barista making us cappuccinos, lattes, and hot chocolates. I half expected the sachet coffee but when I Mark whip out his Bunsen burner to heat and froth the milk I was very impressed. When my hot chocolate was served with marshmallows on the side, well…
Enjoyed by travellers for over ten years, the ‘Cathedral Cove Classic’ is now seen as one of New Zealand’s premier eco-tourism attractions.
For information on prices and other tours please visit their website at: www.seakayaktours.co.nz
The Lost Spring
The Lost Spring is a unique thermal hot water and spa experience located in Whitianga on the Coromandel. With its sculpted pools, soothing waterfalls, and smoking volcano, the Lost Spring offers more than simply a swim in hot water.
The smooth rocks, hidden gemstones, and dense foliage blend with the geothermal spring creating an ambience that cannot be experienced anywhere else. As I relaxed in one of the pools flowing with crystal clear water from a well 644 meters below the earth’s surface and enjoyed my Mojito, I was swept away to another world.
Still floating on cloud nine, I slipped into the bath robe, after what seemed like 10 minutes but was in actual fact an hour, and made my way to the bathrooms. Grand, modern bathrooms feature luxury showers, hair dryers, and straightening irons to ensure you depart the spa looking as good as you feel.
If you have the whole day to indulge, revitalize in the day spa where a variety of healing treatments are offered in an exquisite setting.
Luxury thermal swims start from $25 per hour. For more information please visit their website at: www.thelostspring.co.nz
On The Beach Backpackers
On the Beach Backpackers is a clean, comfortable home like hostel which is suited for backpackers, families or groups of travellers. With huge bay windows in the dorms and main kitchen, this beachfront hostel features stunning views over Mercury Bay.
Accommodation ranges from female and mixed dorm rooms to double and twin rooms to private self-contained units. The hostel is set in a beautiful location with white sand beaches that are safe for swimming right on your doorstep.
Stephen and Richard are the owners and operators of the hostel and offer everything you could possibly need from wireless internet to bikes, kayaks, boogie boards, and fishing rods.
For information on prices and rooms please visit their website at: www.onthebeachbackpackers.co.nz
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