Pacific Coast drive

The drive along the winding cliff top road around the small picturesque bays is a summer delight.The drive to Umupuia (Duders) Regional Park is perhaps one of the most exquisite road trips in New Zealand. Imagine a short fifteen / twenty minute journey packed with sharp curves hugging the Firth of Thames seascape, fringed with enormous Pohutukawa trees gnarled and moulded by nature, wind and age as quintessential Kiwiana postcard trees, glimpses of people fishing from rocks and people supine on small coves. The light and shade reflects the shape and scent of a New Zealand summer. And all of this is encapsulated in a short regional drive from Maraetai beach to Umupuia (Duders) Regional Park.