Coromandel Life Spring/Holiday 2014

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DESTINATION: kennedy bay, COLVILLE and THE WILD NORTH
Kennedy Bay today: still ancestral land
The Kennedy Bay area on the east coast (Maori name Harataunga) is not commercially developed,
but it has a few houses, farms and holiday rentals.
Tread respectfully, the residents here consider the land ancestral, and some may well be
descendents of kauri merchant John Kennedy and his Maori wife, Rangirauwaka. John Kennedy
was an early colonialist (arrived aboard the HMS Buffalo) and kauri merchant who was robbed and
killed aboard his boat in 1846. (See “Early Wood” story pages 12 and 14)
Harataunga is the largest area of Maori land in Hauraki. Land
ownership, water rights, and tribal/crown issues and treaties (some
predating even European arrival) continue to play out right till the
present day. The marae, opened in 1996, is located on Kennedy
Bay Road across from the fire station. It has a red roof and carved
gateway. The stunning beam carvings are by the late Pakariki
Harrison, seen in this photo from his biography on
co.nz.
Pakariki Harrison (left) carved the pillars
of the Maori Marae. The stunning ceiling
was painted by the recently departed
John Hovell.
36 COROMANDEL LIFE LATE SPRING/HOLIDAY
The Kennedy Bay Road drive,
vista point and beach
From the Driving Creek Railway, you can
head east to Kennedy Bay, originally
called Harataunga. Driving Creek Road
becomes Kennedy Bay Road, leading
to this relatively remote northern bay
along the east coast. At the crest of
this unsealed road is Tokatea Hill and
its spectacular viewpoint. Coromandel
Town to the bay is about 15km (much
unsealed), perhaps a 20 minute drive.
Kennedy Bay is a non-commercial
area (hint, bring it all with you!). To
access Kennedy Bay’s beach, take Beach Road (the left of two identical
unsealed roads) located about 500 feet south of the estuary bridge. The
right road leads to beachfront bach rental, Pukeko Retreat.
Down Beach Road find a flat beach for fishing, beach boat launching,
and other water sports. Standing paddle boards and kayaks are for hire
from K Bay Kayak and Paddle Board Hire. Find holiday baches and
campgrounds, and in the swampy grassland areas, you might just see
the stunning blue and black pukeko or dolphins frolicking in the surf!
Sunrise from the beach? “Paradise!”
“View from Tokatea Hill”
- Photo by Ian Patrick
DRIVING NORTH? There are no shops nor petrol stations in this
northern region, beyond the town of Colville on the west side. Check
road conditions and be prepared with enough petrol, supplies, food,
and water. You will encounter mostly unsealed roads, and some may be
under repair. Many of the roads you can preview by ‘driving’ on Google
Maps, and even there we encountered road repair crews.
Rental cars may not be allowed on these roads. You may want to
just park your car and let our guest photographer, Willie Lochore of
Coromandel Adventures, drive you north. Sit back, get a narrated history
of the area, and fully enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Campgrounds and motor parks range from fully powered spots to “water
available only from creek”. Wifi and phone important? Check availability.
Of course, one can find baches for hire, and a variety of accommodation
options from hostel beds to retreat facilities, motel rooms to campsites.
Surfers will want to visit the east side bays, while fishing charters and
motor lodges are available on the peninsula’s west side along Colville
Road. Inland, just south of Port Charles, the Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat
offers lodging and a café. Search online, you will find plenty of resources.
Note: Depending on the geographic area unsealed roads can be gravel
(sometimes called ‘loose metal’), clay or pumice. These roads tend to be
minor roads in rural areas. Caution is advised.
Kennedy Bay
Port
Charles
Stony
Bay
Little
Bay
Colville Bay
Railway &
Gold Stamper
Colville Rd.
Kennedy Bay Rd.
Fletcher Bay
Fletcher Bay Rd.
Port
Charles
Road
Port
Jackson
Port Jackson Rd.
Waikawau Bay
Store,café,
petrol Coromandel
Forest Park
Coromandel
Forest Park
DOC CAMPSITES
WEST COAST
Port Jackson Conservation Campsite
Fletcher Bay Campsite
Fantail Bay Campsite
EAST COAST
Stony Bay Campsite
Waikawau Bay Camping Grounds
Fantail
Bay
Otautu Bay
Farm Camp
PapaAroha
Holiday Park
Anglers
Lodge
Long Bay
Motor Camp
MOTOR CAMPSITES
NEAR COROMANDEL
Long Bay Motor Camp
Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park
Tidewater Tourist Park
Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Tangiaro
Kiwi
Retreat
(& Café)
•
Whangapoua
Colville
Coromandel Town
Sandy
Bay
Coromandel
Walkway
tracks
Shelly Beach
Holiday Park
Tokatea Hill
Lookout
•
New Chum
•
Lady kayakers from a K Bay Kayak and Paddle Board Hire paddle explore
Kennedy Bay estuary, looking south at the mighty Konake Hill. In summer,
Amanda Forsyth leads a fortnightly kayak paddle for the local gals, “just to
get them out there having some fun and exercise while enjoying our own
backyard. This helps get the community together, even the dolphins!” She
has also started a local ‘famliy paddle’ to involve the kids.
Rental rates are affordable, and Amanda will suggest options for all
abilities. She even leads long distance paddles to such places as New
Chum. Check out her Facebook page for photos.
To reserve DOC campsites & learn about road/weather conditions:
K E N N E D Y B A Y