A novel idea....Auckland to Coromandel Via Tapapakanga Campsite and Matatoki,

Feb 2, 2016
3 min read

I decided on a starting route for my New Zealand tour but I was fully prepared to change it as I go. I started off by following the coastline to the east and then south, with my aim to review the next phase around 2 weeks later when I should reach a town called Napier. I set out from Auckland with a few different options for camping but wanting to keep the riding down to an easy days distance. This didn’t really happen and I ended up clocking almost 50 miles in 80 degree sunshine. Still, 50 miles plus seems to be my standard riding distance now so I wasn’t to tired, it just means by the time you reach your destination most of the day is gone and once you have showered and eaten it’s pretty much time for bed. My campsite was in Tapapakanga regional park with a really pleasing view of the Firth of Thames and across the bay to Coromandel, my destination in the next few days. If there was a downside it was that I was to close to the sea and the sound of the waves kept me awake a while. What a thing to have as a negative?

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The destination for the next day was Matatoki and Warmshower hosts Maria and Geoff. The message with the directions advised theirs was the house with the “Ginger Cat Letter Box”.

I arrived to find 5 cats, 1 bird, 2 cows, 1 goat. Geoff was found dispelling the age old myth that men cannot multi task. He has reached a level mere mortals can only aspire to. He was watching the rugby on TV while listening to the cricket on the radio, eating and balancing a Cockatoo on his shoulder.

Not to be outdone in the amazing stakes though, Maria is a two time novelist currently working on the back story of her third novel. I’m hoping the lead character, nae, hero is called Phillip. A bike riding hero who rides into town on his trusty steed like Clint Eastwood, blows up all the expensive over priced campsites and replaces them with free camp zones only for bike tourists.

Because their house is in an area with a lot of sights and walks they let me stay 2 nights so I could spend a day at the Kangahake Gorge doing the trails, swimming in the river and exploring the tunnels. It was a really hot afternoon so my picnic was enjoyed at the side of a waterfall before I took a dive into the pool.

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I said my goodbyes and set off for Coromandel, riding along the Firth of Thames coastline no more than 20 feet from the sea for most of its 40 mile length. It was hard to get the miles clocked up with such beautiful views and inviting water holes. Rather than stopping for one big lunch I stopped for multiple small snack and chilled. Twice I was unable to fight the urge and chained the bike up and took a swim. The loneliness of the long distance cyclist is sometimes quite hard on the senses so taking a break and soaking up the location is always advised.

The day closed with two unreal climbs with no shade on my side of the road but very welcome shade with a table and bench at the top. Cup of tea and a handful of biscuits to boost the energy levels before rolling into my campsite for a shower, dinner and watch the sunset.