Tairua

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

Pauanui Beach

While I stayed in Tairua, I decided to drive the twenty or so kilometres to Pauanui and take a walk along the sand dunes above the shoreline.

Coromandel Beaches

Forget the region’s famous Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach choking with tourists. Just close your eyes and point your finger blindly at the coastline along the Coromandel Peninsula and you’re bound to land on a perfect beach.

Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach, not far north of Tairua on the Coromandel Coast, was where people took a spade to dig in the sand. Once they had a deep enough hole filled with thermal water, they sat and soaked up the warmth.

Winding Coromandel Turns

As I journeyed north from Waihi, there were stretches of road where the twists and turns seemed to never end. Beyond Tairua, the sharp corners were duplicated.