NZ TRAVEL TIPS
The Coromandel Region
The Coromandel has an extensive and spectacular coastline. On the West Coast, there’s a never-ending parade of beaches, coves and harbours lined with pohutukawa trees (a summer red-flowering native known as New Zealand's Christmas tree).
The many sandy beaches provide safe swimming and surfing, big-game fishing and bush walks are popular activities.
The Coromandel’s history is evident in mining relics, logging dams and ancient Maori pa (village) sites. The charming colonial architecture and historic buildings preserved in several towns around the region.
The Coromandel, with its inspirational natural beauty and peaceful environment, has long been a haven for artists and craftspeople and is a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders.
|
download google rental car gadget
To learn more about our FREE
car hire gadget please click on the link.
car rental iPhone app
 
To learn more about our FREE car hire iPhone app click here. Or download the app directly from the iTunes store now.
The Southern Scenic Route, which curves around the southern coast of the South Island
from Dunedin through the Catlins to Invercargill, then on up SH95 to Te Anau, provides
a range of dramatic scenery. From rocky islets, sparkling waterfalls, high headlands,
thunderous surf, quaint fishing villages, and dense native forests to snowcapped
mountains and mirrored lakes the landscape provides eye candy for all tastes. We
spend three days travelling this scenic route and complete several short walks along
the way. We visit spectacular Purakaunui Falls, dine on Bluff oysters, touch Jurassic
tuatara, and rescue cast sheep on our farm stay at Mt Prospect station. Bob also
learns to free dive and prepare paua ready for the BBQ, stalks deer with a local
hunter at night, and discovers that thanks to a bit of kiwi ingenuity, anyone can
enjoy a day’s hiking on a Great Walk, no matter how fit they are!
day three: riverton to te anau
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
In the morning I awake early and take a brisk walk up the main street to admire
Riverton’s wealth of heritage buildings. When I return, Bob’s nursing a strong cup
of coffee but he perks up when he sees me. “We got back at 3 am…45 kilos...shot
in the heart..” he gabbles excitedly as we load our gear into the boot. He’s still
raving about the hunt as we drive past Colac Bay.
“It was unbelievable, he gutted the deer then wore it like a backpack to cart it
out!” he says. “Oh well they’re hardy these southern men,” I reply, pointing out
Cosy Nook, a tiny fishing village with a handful of cribs (holiday homes). Bob
waves to some fishermen on a boat heading out into a high sea from the sheltered,
rocky bay. We continue on to McCracken’s Rest with its picture-postcard views of
Te Wae Wae Bay and Solander Island, then we leave the coast and drive inland through
Tuatapere to Clifden. Here we stop to admire its historic suspension bridge and
then drive on, under the watchful gaze of the Takitimu Mountain Range, to Lake Manapouri,
which is surrounded by the snowcapped Hunter Mountains, Turret Range, and Cathedral
and Jackson Peaks.
Bob clicks off a few rounds with his camera and then we continue on to Te Anau for
a late lunch of gourmet venison pies from ‘Miles better Pies’, eaten seated upon
a picnic table on the lakeshore. “There’s the Kepler Mountains,” I point out as
Bob greedily wolfs down a second pie, “and that’s Mt Luxmoore, the highest point
on the Kepler Track.”
“Looks pretty tough,” says Bob, chewing thoughtfully and carefully avoiding eye
contact, clearly having decided that his aim of experiencing a Great Walk in NZ
may not become a reality...
Please click the link to download the full
Dunedin to Te Anau scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals new zealand...
the kiwi way
To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
purchase nzdh online
If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online
please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
view today's best deals for dunedin to te anau rental cars
With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best dunedin to te anau rental car deal.
|