Tairua

Tairua was not far from Cathedral Cove or Hot Water Beach, but far enough away so I wouldn’t be swamped by tourists.

The twi peaks of Tairu in the distance

It was a small coastal town with not one of the usual fast food places, and if you took a ferry across from the Esplanade, you’d arrive at yet another of the Coronandel Coast’s perfect beaches.

This poor bird, had to wait until the tui finished before it could have its sand bath

The highlight for me, was spotting a tui (main photo); not that I’m an avid bird watcher. I was merely hunting for wildlife that could be tucked into corners of a manuscript, a quarter of which was set in New Zealand.