SLICE OF HEAVEN
HIKERS think of the South Island when they consider a walking tour of NZ and yet there’s so much more to the country to experience on foot. Which is why we accepted Nature and Nosh’s invitation to experience their 7-day Coastal Charm walking tour showcasing the pristine coastline and rugged landscapes of the Coromandel Peninsula, southeast of Auckland on the North Island. Over the week we got to know this area intimately – from its gorgeous beaches, beautiful waterfalls, inviting vineyards, charming towns and boutique accommodation.
Meet and greet
On the first day our guide Irene met us at our Auckland hotel and within a few minutes we were on the southern motorway heading to our first stop, Karangahake Gorge, 90 minutes away. Karangahake Gorge lies between The Coromandel and Kaimai Range. It’s a sharply winding canyon formed by the Ohinemuri River. There are several walking tracks around the gorge ranging in length from 30min to 2hr and the one we did was the Windows Walk, a loop that led us through the old gold mining tunnels of the Talisman Mine. You can imagine this place was once a bustling
