Hahei and Whitianga are exceptionally popular parts of the Coromandel in summer, with their gorgeous white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The good news is those attractions are still there in winter – just without the crowds! We had a lovely girls’ weekend away there in August, and were blessed with lots of sun on the empty sands. An extra treat was spending some time soaking ourselves in the amazing Lost Spring hot pools in Whitianga!
We arrived at Hahei in the dark, friends from all corners of Auckland and from Rotorua. Wines and catch-up chats long into the night ensued by our cozy fire. When we woke up (not too early) in the morning, we were greeted with this beautiful sunshine and a few of us headed straight for the beach.
I love my Takapuna beach walks, but I forget how good for the soul it is to get out of Auckland and embrace the beautiful open spaces we have access to. That is – until the Covid lockdown reminded us all how important the freedom to explore is!
This was one of those perfect weekends where you’re so busy chatting and relaxing that you don’t need to pick up the phone or the camera. But I did make a special excursion to Whitianga for some pamper time with two boss mamas who more than deserved to treat themselves!
The Lost Spring in Whitianga is a geo-thermal resort formed around beautiful natural hot-springs. We wandered over from the ferry, through residential back streets, before turning into another world. As tropical drums welcomed us in and palm trees swayed, we couldn’t quite believe that we hadn’t just been transported to the Pacific Islands – apart from the non-tropical breezes!
Inside, we swiftly changed to swimming togs and bathrobes, before meandering down the paths to choose our first pool. There’s a selection of temperatures and size, ranging from cozy hotter than hot pools to the wide open, slightly cooler hot pools. And we very much appreciated the pool-side cocktail service!
If you’re looking for a winter escape, the Coromandel – and particularly Hahei! – is a perfect place to head. It’s such a treat to experience these gorgeous landscapes without the summer crowds. And, the hot pools were just what we needed to chase away any winter chills.
Want more Coromandel adventures? Check out my guide to an epic Coromandel road-trip!
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