Monday, 23 February 2015

Coromandel peninsula

For our last few days in New Zealand, we decided to visit the Coromandel peninsula at the top right of North Island. We are staying at Tairiua, the blue dot below 


On the way from Rotorua, we stopped at Thames for a break. Thames is a 19th century town, reminiscent of a set for a western film. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't good, so photos are a bit grey. 


Most buildings in the town are made of wood


We were surprised to find this church open. It had a attendant who was probably the minister, he had spent 3 years at Ridley Hall, a theological college in Cambridge. 


Towards the river, there was a very small gauge railway


Thames has a bandstand and a croquet club 


There were several herons about in the park as the tide was completely in 

En route we spotted some sheep out for a ride


We continued on to our B&B In Tairua and after settling in, went out for a walk. The sandy estuary here is not particularly interesting, especially on a cloudy day.  The hill was a volcano.


There is a small marina




We found a number of obliging birds, heron, pied stilt and sacred kingfisher





We walked through to the Pacific beach and along most of its length. When the weather cleared a little, we could see old volcanos offshore. 





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