BEACHES

We didn't come to New Zealand for a 'beach' holiday BUT we have inevitably seen, and enjoyed time on, many fabulous beaches. Here are a few of the best so far.

WHANGAMATA
(pronounce 'wh' as 'f').
On the eastern Coromandel, a crescent of white sand that curves from the harbour to the mouth of the Otahu river. The town's population increases ten-fold during the summer.

The town's another 'Wild West' lookalike.

And the beach goes on for ever.

WAIOMU

Just 2 minutes up the road from Nick and Lin's. The western Coromandel coast road north from Thames has one beautiful bay after another, all deserted bar a few locals and passersby who've stopped to take in the scene.

The cafe opens at 7a.m. for breakfast.

If the sand gets too hot you can sit in the shade.

There are rigorous checks to ensure that people don't exceed the quota.

SURFING BEACHES

1. WAIHI BEACH

South of Whangamata, on the eastern Coromandel, 12kms. out of town. A long thin strip of golden sand stretching 8kms.

A thatched bach, the only one we've seen so far.

Sue, Nick and Kris compare findings while beach-combing.

A Norse Pine. We like them as they look so pre-historic, but they spread so quickly they are generally viewed by Kiwis as a pest.

Just to prove it is a surfing beach.

2. RAGLAN BEACH

48km. west of Hamilton, Raglan is New Zealand's main surfing destination as it has some of the best left-handed surfing breaks in the world.

We drove the 5km out of town to Ngaruni Beach, a rock-free beach recommended for less-experienced surfers. Whatever the guide books say, it was going to take a miracle to get us into the water here.

Where have the Beach Boys gone?

3. MOUNT MAUNGANUI BEACH

At the western end of the Bay of Plenty, around Tauranga Harbour. Luckily, we'd been warned that the drive to the beach, through a huge industrial estate at Tauranga, might make us consider turning round and giving it a miss. So we soldiered on and were so pleased we had.

The extinct volcanic cone of Mount Maunganui is clearly visible from the beach. It was once an island but is now connected to the mainland by a narrow neck of sand dune (a tombolo).

Steve wandered off to look at the anglers on the rocks....

.....while Sue found a little cove to paddle in. Bliss!!