Tour de Opoutere

Inspired by Marguerite by her lovely photos on her morning walks I took my camera with me this afternoon on one of my regular cycle training rides. It was a beautiful clear sunny day today so perfect for a ride and for taking photos. This ride takes you north out of Whangamata along state highway 25. Just past Opoutere School where my youngest Caitlin goes you hang a left onto the Opoutere main Road. 

This is at the start of the Opoutere Road with the small Opoutere Community hall on the left with the Wharekawa Forest behind it.

So we now have a quiet country road to bike on which is bliss for a cyclist- no big trucks on this road.

After riding a couple of kilometres you get to see the small settlement of Opoutere - you can just see on the left some houses along the bottom of the hills and the start of the Opoutere harbour.

Opoutere is a very small tranquil settlement made up of a few permanent residents and a few holiday homes or Bach's as we call them here. Its one of those unspoilt gems on the Coromandel Peninsula. The permanent residents are mostly retired but also a few artists live here. It was where well known New Zealand author/historian Michael King used to reside before his untimely fatal car accident.

 

The road starts to twist and wind through beautiful native bush on both sides.

A bit further along on the left is the Opoutere youth hostel which is very popular amongst backpackers due to its very picturesque setting. It sits on the original site of Opoutere School.

The beautiful and tranquil harbour and if you look carefully to the horizon ( a little right of the centre) you can just see a container ship on its way from Tauranga to Auckland.

Another shot of the harbour with Mayor Island in the distance.

Another beautiful photo- sorry couldn't help myself the scenery is stunning out here!

This is looking back the other way to the bush and forestry clad hills that surround Whangamata and Opoutere.

Another shot looking back up the harbour to the hills beyond.

A parting shot heading back towards the main road home. Hope you enjoyed my little tour of Opoutere today. Needless to say with all those photos I had quite the leisurely bike ride today!