Ruapehu - Coromandel - Eastcape

Well, it's been a while, but what can I say. I've been crazy busy experiencing this fantastic country, which is why I have over 90 pictures this time. I'll split them into to posts though, just to make digestion a little easier. I've been to Volcanic Taupo, climbed Mt. Ruapehu, the north Islands highest mountain and then did a 2000km roadtrip around the Coromandel Peninsula, around the East Cape, and then up into the Te Urewera Rainforest. So, let's go!

First things first. I've had the chance too take this little thing around the Bruce McLaren Racetrack in Taupo. I've never been on a track before, and certainly haven't set any new records, but rarely had so much fun in my life!

Mt. Ruapehu crater climb. As there are no tracks you have to find your own. Although it's only about 5km return the trip took nearly 5 Hours.

View back down to Whakapapa ski village.

Actual crater, pretty hard to estimated the diameter, but it must have been a pretty big explosion...

Mt. Taranaki

Mt. Ngaruhoe, aka Mt Doom.

Crater lake

Tahurangi, the tallest of Ruapehu's peaks.

The Crater walk.

At 2700m above sea level things up there were a bit chilly.

The coloration on the walk

Rock formation on the way down.

Waiau Falls

Rock formation off Whangapoua

Nikau Palms

New Chums Beach. Apparently on of the 10 best beaches in the world. Really didn't bowl me over though.

Fantail

Paua shell and Pebbles

Waterfalls at Broken Hills mine

Tree at Hahei

Stingray bay

Sail Rock

Cathedral Cove

Mt Paku and Tairua

Rockformation at the Pinnacles

Some Bird, don't know the name of this one

Tairua Beach hostel. One of the best hostels I've ever been to.

Rock formation off Onemana beach

Onemana Beach

Cormorants

Seagull, taking to bid a bite.

Portuguese Man-o-war, also known as Blue Bottle

White Island, aka Whaakari, still smoking

Te Araroa, East Cape

Hicks Bay

One of New Zealands oldest Puhutekawa trees.

Te Araroa

Norfolk Pine

Road to the East cape

Light house at the East cape.