Stayed in Pauanui and went up Coromandel Coast for a day trip to Hahei.
From the end of Hahei’s Grange Road, it’s just a few steps to the viewing platform, from where a first peek is possible.This 2.5 km (one way) long broad, paved path is nothing short of a motorway through the bush. In summer, thousands of people will swarm this walk every day. At the moment, our baby hiker is one of a kind and a sight for sore eyes on this long way.Spectacular sea views open up the world of islands and small sailing vessels that cross the shallow coastal waters.Can’t be long now, can see the Hoho already.Picture perfect: The million dollar view through Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) .Lonely trees on the Cove Rock.Cliffs surrounding Cathedral Cove at Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula, are made of white massive ignimbrite, a rock produced by explosive volcanic eruptions about eight million years ago.Hoho Rock, sculpted by wind and water, probably a past arch itself, now waiting to receive his visitors and have his photo taken, every day.It’s not totally straight with us though.More and more tourists arrive between 10 and 11 am.Walking the beach one more time.Such a wonderful spot, no wonder they chose it for the Chronicles of Narnia backdrop.Walking back to the parking. When we were first here 12 years ago, it was still possible to park at the start of the walk. Now there’s paid parking up there in winter, and when summer starts 1st of Oct, only drop off is allowed and the only parking available is down at the beach from where a shuttle bus carries you up/back down for a fee. Half a million visitors a year, accumulating mostly from October to March, need a clever transport concept!
