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COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 SPRING/HOLIDAY
Photos by Roberta Huffman
Photo of Beach Background by Ange Gregory
New Zealand is a hot bed of
volcanic activity, which provided
Kiwi settlers with the quartz reefs’
tons of gold.
The gold rush is over, but
thousands continue the digging
to find the perfect hole for a
mineral-rich sandy soak, all to
the surf’s soothing soundtrack.
Enjoy a hot spring soak ...
F
rom SH25, take Hot Water Beach Rd. and
follow signs to one of the most popular
destinations on the Coromandel. The ‘hot
pool’ area is among the rocks at the base of
the historic Pa in the middle of the beach.
Look where others have dug holes and are
already soaking. Dig your toes in to test the
temperature. If too hot you can dig a channel
to bring in ocean water to ‘cool your pool’.
Hot water is accessible for two hours both
sides of low tide only. Bring your own spade
or hire one from Hot Waves Cafe.
The beach is also a favourite for swimmers
and surfers when conditions are right. Be sure
to swim between the red and yellow flags
when Lifeguards are on patrol. Less confident
swimmers and children can enjoy the lagoon
at the beach’s south end.
Glow worms too?
FB poster Brett Snow
shared a ‘local secret’ about a Glow Worm
Trail he discovered a few years ago on a dark
moonless night. “The path starts just before
the Bridge as you enter Hot Water Beach
and goes along the side of the creek until
you get to the beach. Turn off the flashlght
periodically to see them.”
ACCOMMODATION, ART AND DINING AWAIT
Spend the night at Hot Water Beach Holiday
Park or nearby accommodation to have plenty
of time to enjoy shops, galleries, wineries and
cafes here and in nearby Hahei.
A favourite of both locals and visitors, Hot
Waves Cafe offers delicious food, espresso,
garden dining, art exhibits, live entertainment,
and the popular Open Mic ‘pizza’ nights.
For a ‘must see’ art experience, visit Moko
Artspace opposite the main carpark. Their
fascinating sculpture garden and gallery
showcases more than 100 artists’ work!
HOT WATER
BEACH
07 866 3887 • 8 Pye Place • Hot Water Beach • Whitianga
A favourite of locals and visitors,
Hot Waves is just a minute’s stroll
from Hot Water Beach. Enjoy
gourmet dining inside or out
on this one-acre native garden
teaming with bird life.
One of the best eateries
on the Coromandel
Open 7 days 8:30am-4pm • Fridays till 8:30pm for Open Mic & Pizza night
A
fter some inland ‘fun’,
head to these nearby
stunning beach areas for
even more . . .
Hot Water
Beach Rd.
Hahei Road
Purangi Road
Link Rd.
Hot Water
Beach Rd.
Mercury Bay
Whitianga
Shakespeare
Cliff
Lonely Bay
Front
Beach
Flaxmill
Bay
Cooks
Beach
Ferry Landing
Cathedral
Cove
Hahei
Beach
Hot Water
Beach
Getting to the digging area from the carpark
near the cafes and gallery, you will need to ‘ford’
this little stream as this man is doing.
Hot Water Beach attracts an estimated 700,000
visitors per year, one of the most popular visitor
destinations on the Coromandel.
Photo of Hot Water Beach by Charlotte Giblin