Coromandel - Driving Creek Railway & Waiau Kauri Grove & Waterfall

We’ve already had a day up in the Coromandel region visiting the hot water beach and Cathedral Cove, however never quite made it to Coromandel town itself, to the very tip… so it beckoned another little day trip out there. This time we opted for a slightly different route and drove along the west side of the peninsular, still very windy but not quite as severe as crossing over the mountain ranges.

Pit stop cafe on the drive to Corromandel

Dotterel

White fronted tern

So to describe Coromandel Town itself… it had a very free spirit arty vibe to it, very quite with the odd art and bead shop thrown in for good measure. Our lunch pit stop on recommendation was a vegetarian backpackers house come second hand book shop. A hidden little gem and one of those places you need to be told about, otherwise you’d never find it as it is off the road up a steep drive hidden behind some fruit trees. The place just oozed rustic charm. Some people I guess would think it rather run down, but it had a cosy atmosphere, and the food was spot on, great slabs of freshly baked bread, home made fruit smoothies - all so delicious.

Next stop was the Driving Creek Railway, another rustic little stop. The Driving Creek Railway was a true labour of love built over a period of 35 years by a pottery artist Barry Brickell who wanted to bring people up to the top of his land to share its amazing scenic view. The little narrow railway winds up through the hillside and took around half an hour. Along the way there are various pottery objects set within the landscape, retaining walls studded with glass bottles, a cute picturesque brick tunnel and a double deck viaduct.

Once at the top we all got to climb up to the scenic viewing platform of the aptly named Eyefull Tower to admire the beautiful panoramic views over the Hauraki Gulf.

Right next door to the Driving Creek Railway there is a Bird Sanctuary, another little pitstop to add to our agenda.

Kererū 

Canlifornia Quail

Always ones not to miss and opportunity we decided to squeeze one last walk at Waiau Kauri Grove Waterfalls. Another spectacle at some magnificent huge Kauri trees and hidden Waiau Waterfall amongst the subtropical forrest, another stunner. 

Waiau Waterfall