01/06/08: 57km, climb: 865m, Coromandel - Port Jackson
02/06/08: 17km, climb: 750m, Port Jackson - Stony Bay DOC
03/06/08: 26km, climb: 544m, Stony Bay - Waikaway Bay DOC
04/06/08: 30km, climb: 758m, Waikawau - Coromandel
05/06/08: 12km, Coromandel - Te Kouma Harbour - Auckland
In Coromandel we did our last shopping before heading to the remote northern tip of the penninsula. The road ceased to be sealed pretty much straight away which is a good thing as it is less attractive for cars and we hardly saw any. The coastal road was pretty flat and along the sea for once with beautiful old gnarly trees lining it. After lunch it went straight uphill and in the end we decided to call it a day in Port Jackson rather than Fletcher Bay as the campsite was apparently under construction and so we had it almost to ourselves.
The next day we cycled the 7km to Fletcher Bay where we sat on the beach eating bread and drinking tea. We were glad we did not spend the night there as there where more campers and it would not have suited our reclusive nature. Had we known the mission awaiting us we would not have taken our time though, we only knew the next 10km were a hiking trail. 10km is not too bad we thought and set off around noon.
After a few hundred meters we bumped into two condescending old hikers that were geared up as if they were heading for Mount Everest. With raised eyebrows they told us the path is not recommended for panniers and the easy option along the coast is not allowed for bikes. Nothing we did not know so we pushed past them, being merely encouraged by their patronising ways. After fighting our way over the muddy track (it had rained last night) having backflashes of Cambodia we did come to the intersection describing the route which immediately we wished we had not read. We spent the next few hours pushing our bikes along a steep ridge, having to both move one bike at a time at some parts of the way. We got to the summit around 4pm looking forward to a thrilling descent, but encountered a rather scary steep washed out bumpy limestone track instead. Yes, we were rather glad when we reached the campsite at Stony Bay at last. Needing some sort of revival, we jumped into the river for a wash, even though it was cold and dark before sleeping fast and sound.
Next morning we were woken by some ducks who did not part from our side all morning, accompanying us to wash our bikes in the river, to the beach and watching us having breakfast and lunch. We had our first and last swim in the sea in NZ and enjoyed the beautiful rocky beach, not getting on our bikes until after lunchtime. Being back on a four wheel drive track felt luxury and riding felt easy. That night we were the only campers at the beautiful Waikaway Beach.
In the morning we went for a walk on the beach before Bea dropped her camera in the toilet, but that's another story. From there we got back to Coromandel Town via three hills and took the ferry to Auckland the following day, where we enjoyed the advantages of a big city and were not used to the disadvantages.
Oh shit we have ran out of time...
02/06/08: 17km, climb: 750m, Port Jackson - Stony Bay DOC
03/06/08: 26km, climb: 544m, Stony Bay - Waikaway Bay DOC
04/06/08: 30km, climb: 758m, Waikawau - Coromandel
05/06/08: 12km, Coromandel - Te Kouma Harbour - Auckland
In Coromandel we did our last shopping before heading to the remote northern tip of the penninsula. The road ceased to be sealed pretty much straight away which is a good thing as it is less attractive for cars and we hardly saw any. The coastal road was pretty flat and along the sea for once with beautiful old gnarly trees lining it. After lunch it went straight uphill and in the end we decided to call it a day in Port Jackson rather than Fletcher Bay as the campsite was apparently under construction and so we had it almost to ourselves.
The next day we cycled the 7km to Fletcher Bay where we sat on the beach eating bread and drinking tea. We were glad we did not spend the night there as there where more campers and it would not have suited our reclusive nature. Had we known the mission awaiting us we would not have taken our time though, we only knew the next 10km were a hiking trail. 10km is not too bad we thought and set off around noon.
After a few hundred meters we bumped into two condescending old hikers that were geared up as if they were heading for Mount Everest. With raised eyebrows they told us the path is not recommended for panniers and the easy option along the coast is not allowed for bikes. Nothing we did not know so we pushed past them, being merely encouraged by their patronising ways. After fighting our way over the muddy track (it had rained last night) having backflashes of Cambodia we did come to the intersection describing the route which immediately we wished we had not read. We spent the next few hours pushing our bikes along a steep ridge, having to both move one bike at a time at some parts of the way. We got to the summit around 4pm looking forward to a thrilling descent, but encountered a rather scary steep washed out bumpy limestone track instead. Yes, we were rather glad when we reached the campsite at Stony Bay at last. Needing some sort of revival, we jumped into the river for a wash, even though it was cold and dark before sleeping fast and sound.
Next morning we were woken by some ducks who did not part from our side all morning, accompanying us to wash our bikes in the river, to the beach and watching us having breakfast and lunch. We had our first and last swim in the sea in NZ and enjoyed the beautiful rocky beach, not getting on our bikes until after lunchtime. Being back on a four wheel drive track felt luxury and riding felt easy. That night we were the only campers at the beautiful Waikaway Beach.
In the morning we went for a walk on the beach before Bea dropped her camera in the toilet, but that's another story. From there we got back to Coromandel Town via three hills and took the ferry to Auckland the following day, where we enjoyed the advantages of a big city and were not used to the disadvantages.
Oh shit we have ran out of time...
Port Jackson
attacking the hiking trail next morning
soft landing
pushing our bikes from sea level to 580m
eventually, the view from top
inquisitive little visitors at Stony Bay
our shower
Waikawau Beach
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