Visited Cathedral Cove and the Hot Water Beach today. Hot Water Beach is so called because of the springs that feed it. On the photo you can see the steam coming off the 70 degree water. You have to be careful where you dig your hole because there is a good risk of scolding yourself! We managed to get quite a good spot until the tide (very cold) came in and destroyed our hole. The only distraction was a topless 50 something French lady and her toy boy in the next...

Day of driving today, from the Bay of Islands back to Auckland and round to the Coromandel Peninsula - about 400 kms. Took a while because the roads are mainly single carriageway and very twisty up through the peninsula. Lots of nice scenery - a bit like the West Country or Wales with sun. Stopped at the glow worm cave on the way which was very unusual - looked like an underground milky way system.