Take your time along 309
You can get your kicks on Route 66 but the Coromandel’s 309 is simply divine.
Not knowing what to expect from the 22-kilometre stretch of windy gravel road, we headed off to experience this often talked about road first hand.
Situated between Whitianga and Coromandel Town, the 309 road snakes its way through dense bushland affording spectacular views as it follows the river.
A word of warning, the road is narrow, winding and unsealed.
Locals say only confident drivers should attempt this road. At the very least you should allow for other drivers’ errors.
The road is well worth the trip, featuring natural beauty and plenty of kiwiana on display.
The Kauri Grove is a surreal experience with 13 massive specimens and a twin kauri tree reaching up high above the bush. An easy 10-minute walk from the car park will transport you into a time capsule of New Zealand’s past.
Remember to wash your shoes thoroughly using the equipment provided to ensure the trees are not affected by kauri dieback and respect the trees by not carving your name or love hearts into them.
If nature is your thing then a trip to the Waiau Falls is another must stop. A serene waterfall sluices down the river forming a lagoon-like waterhole at the base. The water is cold but the Coromandel during summer is very hot.
It’s true Kiwi-quirk from there on out with the Waterworks not far away. This tribute to number 8 wire ingenuity and mad-cap science is a surprising place to take a break.
Dubbed ‘‘the wackiest theme park in New Zealand’’ the park features an impressive array of water-powered contraptions and inventions with tons to discover at each corner.
From a water-powered music box to flying bicycles, the location is a great way to burn off excess energy from the car ride.
Perhaps the most famous attraction is down the road in the form of Stu’s Pig Farm. Stu is a Kiwi icon who became famous by simply being Stu.
The barefoot, older man is a walking icon. Stu simply loves pigs, and since 2005 he has raised hundreds of them. They are never killed or sent to market and are free to roam about and meet tourists.
Stu is never too far behind with a pig in arm and a story to tell. If you’re lucky he’ll even let you name a pig.
With the end of the road in sight, thoughts may drift to food. The end of the road does not disappoint.
The Coromandel Mussel Kitchen provides food prepared from the garden and sea to your plate. A micro-brewery on site offers plenty of drink to wash away all the dust kicked up from the gravel road.
With the road at an end, the remaining question is, where to? South follows a scenic coastal road towards Thames. North will heads towards Coromandel Town, an attraction in itself. Or perhaps turning around and doing the 309 Road again is the answer. Who knows what other secrets it holds.
The road is well worth the trip featuring natural beauty and plenty of kiwiana on display.