With Summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning a road trip whether it’s for a day or for a week. If you’re up in Auckland an ideal day trip is to the Coromandel.

Heading 1 and a half hours south along SH1 then 2 you’ll arrive at the small town of  Paeroa in the Waikato. Stop by the infamous L&P bottle and enjoy your first snack of the road trip, and if you are Indian that means to bring out the masala chai from the thermos and samosas for breakfast!

From Paeroa head north towards Hot Water beach, your next destination. Hot Water Beach is a naturally heated mineral water that emerges from deep beneath the golden sand. take your own spade or shovel, if you forget, you can always hire one from the local cafe or from the surf lifesavers. Not only does this beach have a natural phenomenon of mineral hot water, but take the time to explore around the beach and you might just find a few hidden caves!

Just a short 15-minute drive north from Hot Water Beach you will find yourself in the small town of Hahei where you will find access to the Cathedral Cove.

Foot access to cathedral cove is via Grange Road, where you will find limited parking, it is best to park on Pa Road and take the Shuttle service to the start of the walking track.  Be prepared to walk a lot so suitable footwear is best recommended.

The first stop along the track was at Stingray Bay where we stopped and had lunch on the rocks with the waves crashing by. It truly was the best view to have lunch in front of with clear blue water you could see little fish and crabs.

From Stingray Bay be prepared to walk a 1 and a half hour return journey to cathedral cove and back to the car park where the shuttle had dropped you off,  you must be willing to walk down uphill and up some stairs so carry water with you, but it’s all worth it!

The scenery at Cathedral cove may seem familiar if you’ve watched Narnia, That’s right, this beautiful, picturesque location was used as a location for the Narnia Franchise.

Heading back to the Car park was a mission and a half, especially with the summers, heat hitting your face cannot stress enough to make sure you have plenty of water to get you back at the top, once again the view from the top will be worth it in the end.  As they say, it’s not a road trip without ice cream, back at the car park on Grange road you can buy yourself an ice cream or ice block, be sure to have spare cash on you.

The next stop of the road trip was 1 and a half hours from Cathedral Cove was the little town on Themes. The scenic road along SH 25 is sure to impress driving seaside along the Firth Of Thames and if you’re lucky enough to have clear weather, be on the lookout as you can see Auckland’s skyscrapers on the other side of the sea.  A quick stop at Thames is plenty of time to have dinner and stretch your legs before the 2-hour drive back up to Auckland.

“Life is a grand Adventure, Go live it!”