29 / 64
DESTINATION:
Coromandel town
areas, Kennedy Bay
AND NORTH PENINSULA
Coromandel Town and McGregor Bay
from the scenic viewpoint on SH25
2
You are given plenty of warning about
the Scenic Viewpoint on SH25 as you
start to wind up through the hills that
separate Coromandel town from Te
Rerenga, and it’s really worth stopping!
There are viewing platforms facing in
both directions, so you can look back
toward Matarangi, which seems tiny in
the distance, and onward to Coromandel
and the islands which spread out along the coastline. It’s an
impressive view, and on this particular day the sun was flashing through the rolling banks
of clouds, boldly illuminating the houses down below. The colours of the water and fields
changed dramatically in the different kinds of light, and I found myself standing there for
quite a while watching the scenery glow brightly one minute and diminish the next.
As you descend to Coromandel, you get increasingly larger glimpses of the landscape you’re
heading toward, which makes a really exciting and striking entrance-way!
Want to Climb Castle Rock?
You’ll begin your trek on the south side of this volanic feature.
Drive south of Coromandel Town and then east on the 309
Road. After a few km’s take a left down Castle Rock Road.
Park on the right side of the road just after it takes a sharp
right. It is about a 30-40 min walk one way. The track/terrain
is not well marked, and it’s a varied climb, with lots of
boulders, bush and trees to climb through. Everyone says
the view is worth the effort, but best be in shape for this
one. There is real rock climbing, but ropes not necessary.
This early image by geologist Alexander McKay shows Castle
Rock, and its ‘gaping mouth’as viewed from the southwest.
Photo of Castle Rock
by Ian Patrick