New Zealand’s a little country and you can see it ALL in a couple of weeks, right? Wrong, unless your time is unlimited, you won’t be stopping to smell the roses. So maybe you’re faced with having to make a choice between say visiting the Bay of Islands or the Coromandel . If you’re travelling from Auckland, the Bay of Islands will take 4-5 hours, whereas the Coromandel will take 2-3 hours. Don’t be fooled by the maps. The road to the Bay of Islands is winding and takes longer than you think. I discovered this recently when Michael received an instant speeding fine at the beginning of our drive from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. Lovely cop – smiled broadly as he wrote out the instant fine…well, I thought he was very nice and said so..a number or times..it was a quiet trip. The Bay of Islands is beautifully lush. It’s here you’ll find Eagles Nest , Kauri Cliffs Golf Resort , 88 Lodge B & B , Allegra House , Cloud 9 , – lots of choices. We arrived in April (our Autumn) and stayed in short-sleeved teashirts most of the time.
You can fit the Bay of Islands into any part of your trip but I think a New Zealand itinerary flows better if you visit this region at the END. It’s the ideal location to unwind and the last impression is very important, right? To justify the 4-5 hour drive, you’ll need to stay in the area at least a couple of days. The Bay of Islands is home to the Waipoua Forest and mighty Kauri trees, 90-mile beach and let’s not forget the Waitangi Treaty grounds. If the weather’s right, you might even enjoy a Dolphin swim. BUT if you’re Time-strapped, take a shorter drive to the Coromandel. The Coromandel also has Kauri trees and beautiful beaches located on the eastern side. Last time, we stayed in one of the Puka Park Resort’s treehouses . Loved being nestled in all that dense native bush. If you’re looking for a luxurious but more personalised experience and hand-made chocolates, then Brenton Lodge would be a good choice. So chill out folks, slow down a little and start creating those beautiful memories.
