South Island driving route
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What do you want to see on the Coromandel Peninsula? Don't be expecting heaps of options for restaurants/cafes outside of Whitianga and Whangamata.
If the ferry (Ferry Landing) is operating you can easily get from Hahei to Whitianga but the drive is more of a hassle. Not far to HWB and I am sure Cathedral Cove will be very quiet. Yes, I would recommend visiting those places.
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@Bovidae said in South Island driving route:
What do you want to see on the Coromandel Peninsula? Don't be expecting heaps of options for restaurants/cafes outside of Whitianga and Whangamata.
If the ferry (Ferry Landing) is operating you can easily get from Hahei to Whitianga but the drive is more of a hassle. Not far to HWB and I am sure Cathedral Cove will be very quiet. Yes, I would recommend visiting those places.
Hmm, better check that. We don't need loads of options for food, but a couple of cafes and a takeaway thai/Chinese / pizza/ chippie are always welcome
Otherwise we'll ust be cruising, not trying to do everything. Kids are still homeschooling so limited time in the day
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
@Bovidae said in South Island driving route:
What do you want to see on the Coromandel Peninsula? Don't be expecting heaps of options for restaurants/cafes outside of Whitianga and Whangamata.
If the ferry (Ferry Landing) is operating you can easily get from Hahei to Whitianga but the drive is more of a hassle. Not far to HWB and I am sure Cathedral Cove will be very quiet. Yes, I would recommend visiting those places.
Hmm, better check that. We don't need loads of options for food, but a couple of cafes and a takeaway thai/Chinese / pizza/ chippie are always welcome
Otherwise we'll ust be cruising, not trying to do everything. Kids are still homeschooling so limited time in the day
I would stay at Cooks Beach and stay in a decent AirB&B. Chances are you will have a sea view. They have a decent bistro that does low and slow food and the hottest chicken wings ever.
2 mins drive is a 30 second ferry (less than 150 metres) that takes you to Whitianga for other cafes, restaurants and shopping.
Best of both worlds.
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
@Hooroo nothing under 360pn there, I'm unemployed right for the next 7 months remember!
Wow! I am super surprised at that price. OK, well I think Whitianga is prolyl the best of the bunch as a whole lot of other things to do close.
We had a bach in Whangamata for 30 years and I love the place but I loved to fish and surf so it was perfect. Whitianga as a town is better.
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
So that's 1 x vote for Coromandel, 1 x vote for Hahei, and 1 x vote for Whitianga.
Fricken Fern, no bloody consensus as always!!!
I would choose coromandel if you can spare 1/2 a day for a fishing charter.
The top pub does a mean steak. It's owned by an ex NZ Basketball player (reasonably well known but typically, I can't remember his name)
Bottom pub has a TAB
If you do a charter, take your fish to the fish and chip shop near the bottom pub and they will fillet it for you and cook it for you!
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@Hooroo said in South Island driving route:
@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
So that's 1 x vote for Coromandel, 1 x vote for Hahei, and 1 x vote for Whitianga.
Fricken Fern, no bloody consensus as always!!!
I would choose coromandel if you can spare 1/2 a day for a fishing charter.
The top pub does a mean steak. It's owned by an ex NZ Basketball player (reasonably well known but typically, I can't remember his name)
Bottom pub has a TAB
If you do a charter, take your fish to the fish and chip shop near the bottom pub and they will fillet it for you and cook it for you!
@voodoo they also do Flounder, eggs and chips for breakfast which is amazing for a hangover!
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@Bones said in South Island driving route:
@Hooroo maybe downtown Tony Brown then 😬
It's Stan Hill, one of Palmys finest!!! Good guy, he wouldn't remember me most likely, but I spent some time with him. His kids were a bit below me in age.
Also, Tony fucking Brown still owes me a keg!!!
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
@Bones said in South Island driving route:
@Hooroo maybe downtown Tony Brown then 😬
It's Stan Hill, one of Palmys finest!!! Good guy, he wouldn't remember me most likely, but I spent some time with him. His kids were a bit below me in age.
Also, Tony fucking Brown still owes me a keg!!!
Stan Hill!!! Thank You!! The man knows his steak!!
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@Hooroo said in South Island driving route:
@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
@Bones said in South Island driving route:
@Hooroo maybe downtown Tony Brown then 😬
It's Stan Hill, one of Palmys finest!!! Good guy, he wouldn't remember me most likely, but I spent some time with him. His kids were a bit below me in age.
Also, Tony fucking Brown still owes me a keg!!!
Stan Hill!!! Thank You!! The man knows his steak!!
Well, I'd guess he probably eats 2 for every 1 he serves up...
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@voodoo said in South Island driving route:
So that's 1 x vote for Coromandel, 1 x vote for Hahei, and 1 x vote for Whitianga.
Fricken Fern, no bloody consensus as always!!!
Whitianga would be the best option for the northern part of the peninsula based on what you want for cafes and restaurants. There should be more reasonably-priced accommodation as well. Still close enough to visit some of the popular tourist spots if you have time.
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Cheers all, ended up booking something in Whitianga. Will explore a bit from there. Reminiscing about Palmy bball with Stan will have to wait!
This country sure is spendy though - I really couldn't find anything decent under 1k for the 5 of us. When you add on the cost of my wine habit, the kids are going to be on 2 minute noodles for the next few weeks...