The camp area is split into many smaller areas 
each with toilets and a central rubbish point all next to the Tairua river.
The park is home to many large Kauri trees
and smaller flora of all kinds.
and some fauna albiet somewhat small
Throughout there are many walks from 10 minutes to many hours.
These well marked walks
explore the gold mining history of the area from old mines
to stamping battery remains
Broken Hills is a great place to stay and we will return.
There was plenty of opportunity for simple photo opportunities
whilst being observed by the most forward of the locals.
Most of the time here it was a midday low tide that as you can see didn't provide much in the way of fishing opportunities.
Glowing mornings looking east to Coromandel
to bright sunsets over the western hills were natures show each day.
Ngatea Water Gardens 6 April 2009
The 6th saw us leave the Seabird Coast and head for Thames with a passing stop at Ngatea to visit the Water Gardens.
Many pictures were taken of this extensive park
under the watchful eye
of a number of the gardens inhabitants.
Thames, Thornton Bay, Raupara Gardens and Long Bay, Coromandel
After a nights stay at the Thames Golf Club POP, costs $5/night
it was off to Long Bay, Coromandel with a couple of stops on the way. First was Thornton Bay, looking back towards Thames
and to Coromandel in the north.
A good oyster spat catch on the rocks ensures a good feed of oysters in the future, yum!
A short diversion took us to the Rapaura Gardens
which in my view doesn't compare to the Ngatea Water Gardens both in price and what you see.
Long Bay Coromandel
Final destination for the day, 7th, was Long Bay, Coromandel.
There are a number of walks both round the bays and in the bush that provided a number of willing subjects.
After saying goodnight at Long Bay tomorrow would see us travelling over the hills to Kuotuna and Otama on the 9th.
Otama
I have blogged Otama before and don't propose to add anything again except to say that it's now a rip off. All you get are paddocks, bore water and a couple of long drops at the cost of $10/pers/night. Over the hill at the Kuotuna Motor Camp you get every facility for $13 and a little further south at Simpsons you get the same as Otama, right by the water for $5/van/night. Otama - forget it greed has taken over (and you have to pay CASH)!!!
Kuotuna
Whilst we were more or less trapped into staying over Easter at Otama (never again) we did spend the 14th at Kuotuna in the motor camp before heading south. The following pics shows some of the coast in the area
and the man made boat launching area.
The rest of our time through to the 19th was taken up by drifting further south past Simpsons Beach through Whitianga to Oputere then back to Broken Hills and home via Thames and the Seabird Coast. The following are a series of location titled pictures.
Coroglen Cattleyards and river.
Oputere Flora and Fauna
For pics of the DOC park at Broken Hills see the seperate blog.
