The Giant Pohutukawa Tree

After leaving Te Kaha, we had spent a night at Waihau Bay before heading for Te Araroa. On the way, we followed Garth off the main road in search of Hicks Bay. 

Driving along a very narrow road and wondering how we would ever manage to turn around to get back out, we found a beautiful small bay (Onepoto Bay) with firm sand that we could drive onto—plenty of room to turn around here.

People launch their boats directly from the beach. Around that small point jutting out from the left is Hicks Bay.

After Helen had her first swim of the season and we’d had lunch, we were on our way again.

Te Araroa. A small community between a huge bluff and the sea.

And on the edge of the school grounds, a famous tree.

This tree has a name: Te Waha O Rerekohu, meaning "the mouth of Rerekohu". It is believed to be over 600 years old, although the sign says "over 350 years old".

Standing 21.2 metres tall, it had a branch span of 37 metres at its widest point when measured in 1950. It is also reputed to be the largest and oldest of it's species in New Zealand.

We didn’t stay the night in Te Araroa. Garth had other plans, and once more we were following the pink and white bus up a no-exit road—this time heading for the East Cape.

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Waiomu, Coromandel

The first beach we stayed at on the Coromandel Peninsula was at Waiomu, just north of Thames. 

They have freedom camping spots on a lot of the beaches up this side—note it is important to park in the designated area, or there are large fines ($200). When we first arrived, we read the signs about freedom camping being okay and dogs being allowed off leash at this particular time of year, but nothing about having to park in a specific area. So we picked a stunning spot and settled in. For all of ten minutes . . .

Dave went exploring down the far end near where a bus was parked and it was here he found the designated parking area. Between the blue signs. So we hitched up again and moved away from our prime real estate to a not-quite-so-nice spot. Not complaining. We could still hear the waves breaking on the beach at night and until a few more campers squeezed in alongside us, we had a fair view of the beach.

The next morning, the council man came around checking, so just as well we'd moved!

We stayed at Waiomu a couple of nights. It was lovely, even though we had a few showers. We went for a few walks along the beach—as far as we could go without clambering over too many rocks. 

We saw a couple of oyster catchers that ran off the beach up into the grass as we approached them.

There was an amazing tree in the middle of this park area—a Pohutukawa—it was huge. And it had these great clumps hanging down from its branches. Apparently they’re aerial roots and the branches of the tree can root when they bend down to touch the ground. Fascinating!

On the second day we visited the Waiomu Beach Café across the road for coffee and a snack. Fabulous place (food, coffee, staff, comfort, view)—I recommend it.

There was this interesting sign outside the shop next door.

Dave tried his hand at fishing off the rocks, but no luck. Our bus neighbours had no success with fishing either. We joined them for a glass of wine on the second evening. No sunset, but still a stunning view.

And when we turned around to look at the hills, we could see the rain coming.