April 14, 2024

Thames to Hot Water Beach

We leisurely drive to Coromandel. The road follows the beautiful coastline.

While Peter has a cappuccino I enjoy a big bowl of Coromandel mussels. They are simply delicious.

Just outside of town is Driving Creek. Nestled in the heart of The Coromandel, Driving Creek is more than just a tourism operation. Driving Creek originally began as an authentic grass-roots pottery. Barry paved the way by creating a unique artisan pottery and planting over 27,000 native trees, transforming the land into a lush native forest. He build a train up the hill with a few switchbacks.

We continue our travels to the Hot Beach and this time we are arriving at the right time, shortly before low tide.

Equipped with a shovel, we join the many locals and tourists. The Hot Beach is as it says, hot. At low tide you can dig a hole at the edge of the water and you will find warm to almost boiling hot water below the surface of the sand. At times you can see the steam raising from below or you see bubbles where the water is really hot. We leave our feet buried in the sand right where it is nice and hot until a big wave comes. Peter is digging and having fun with two little kids.