Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove

Our next stop was Whenuakite, the starting point for exploring Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. On our way to the eastern side of Coromandels via Route 309, which once again led us through the jungle, we stopped briefly at a beautiful little waterfall. Arriving in Whenuakite, we paid more money than we would have liked for our campsite, but that's how it goes when you want to stay close to two of New Zealand's most famous attractions. At least there we got two shovels and could start digging a pool at Hot Water Beach the next morning at 7 o'clock (you can only do this at low tide, hence the inhumane time). Even though it's really a crazy tourist spot, it was a fun experience that you just have to do.

Later in the day, we drove a few kilometers further north to Cathedral Cove, which admittedly is an even bigger tourist hotspot. After a 1.5-hour hike, we found a completely crowded beach including eroded rocks, where it was hardly possible to take a few photos without posing like-minded people. But of course, it was once again breathtakingly beautiful here and the weather was at its best. And no, here it is usually 70% cloudy, even if it often doesn't seem like it in the pictures ;)