Alternate Routes across the Peninsula

We normally don't play, 'What If,' games. Doug doesn't anyway - I play them in my mind all the time! 

'What if there was a slip on the main road and we needed to get to Coromandel?' 

I've been at home quite enough this week to be willing to go along with such a possibility.  

'Let's take the Land Rover and try the dirt tracks!'

 Last week we took the tourist route to Coromandel Town, in the MX5. This week we went Land-Rovering and crossed the peninsular on two secondary roads, both gravel and one-way bridges through the bush. 

Highway 309 was first and reached the main Thames road just South of Coromandel Town. Continuing on, we headed south past Te Kouma and Manaia to Tapu, and took the Tapu to Coroglen road back home.

The second route was my favourite - the bush was more lush - the road seemed better maintained with signs where it was definitely one-way and who should give way. ( I like that.)

 

These two pictures are taken from the hill South of Manaia, looking across the Firth of Thames towards Kawakawa and Auckland. It was very windy, the sea covered in whitecaps and tourists were having trouble standing up.

Both the dirt roads were in good order but would not be much fun if conditions were hot and dusty, or with more traffic than the half-dozen cars we encountered.

Now we know - both routes took about half an hour to do about 20 kms. I'm glad that I grew out of being car sick some years ago - both could be challenging for those with iffy tummies.