31.12 - Waihi Beach to Whangamata

Day:11
Weather: 22
Overnight: Waihi Beach NZMCA park
Activities: Gelato and Coffee, avocados and corn, gold mining at Waihi,

Woke to a sunny day. A slight breeze that had dried most of the washing. Left park around 10 for Whangamata. First stop was Waihi Beach shops after a look around at Anzac Bay and peninsula.
Had a quick stop at shops and dump station. Got an ice cream at hotel.
Travelled on and stopped at Waihi for a tour of the gold exhibition and visit to Martha opencast mine. A very big hole that has been closed now since 1956. All mining is done underground about 500metres from original site. After a quick look at the hole we did the gold extravanaganza tour at the information centre. It went through the history of gold mining in NZ and was very informative. We drove on to whangamata and found a spot to stay for the night at the Marina.A noisy New Year’s Eve with lots of fire works being let off from 11-2. Not too many drugs, etc.

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