Coromandel Peninsula

On our final full day in New Zealand, we headed up to the Coromandel Peninsula. We would have loved to have more time to explore the Coromandel Peninsula (it will be added to our next trip to New Zealand if we are lucky enough to visit again). On the way, we stopped at Karangahake an abandoned gold mine know for scenic walking trails, its beautiful river gorge, numerous suspension bridges, and long train. Visiting the site at the same time where several elementary kid’s school groups. It was interesting to see the old equipment, resting by the sides of the trail with signposts helping us understand the original gold mining process. As we followed along the Tram line, we were able to enter the long tunnel used by the mine, we were grateful for our phone flashlights.

Further up the coast, we went to the Karenga regional park visiting the visitor center and following the local conservation officers’ recommendations of her favourite trail. Again, the foot washing process to save the Kauri trees was in place. We enjoyed a beautiful hike through a forest before steep ascent up 700 stairs for a fantastic vista view of tabletop mountain and the giant ancient Cooksum Kauri tree (11meters diameter and 900 years old). Another beautiful tree that triggered a family discussion about our sadness (and anger) about the poisoning of our huge backyard poplar tree. Again I felt gratitude to Alastair for his driving skills through windy, hilly road, he misses lots of beautiful scenery as he has to concentrate on the road.