Torpedo fishing, sea lettuce and big seas

Thought we would try to get in a nights torpedo fishing over the weekend but we have had nothing but strong currents and big seas - a no no for catching fish plus the dreaded south easterly winds. To make matters worse we have sea lettuce along the coast line so I guess the sea gods are saying - give fishing a miss for a while. Fingers crossed that the sea lettuce will disappear soon as its a pain in the perverbial. Lots of reports too of sea lettuce in the inner harbour.

For more info on torpedo fishing www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Waihi Beach new cycle trail - birdlife

The new cycle trail that runs from Island View down to Bowentown has amazing birdlife. Everytime we cycle down to Bowentown I am amazed at the number of birds and the different types of birds that have made the bushy tree area next on the very upper Tauranga harbour their home.

Last night there were pheasants and quail doing their thing all along the route  - fantastic that they have been able to set up their homes without much interference from humans - great to see.
Image from Mike Hill Photography

For more info on activities in and around Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Waihi Beach Fresh Produce Market

We had a fantastic market here on Sunday morning due in part to the great fine weather we had over labour weekend. There were lots of people at the market who had the chance to buy local from the various growers. We managed to get some fresh flowers,some samosa's and some fresh herbs.

Lets hope the weather does it's thing for us over summer as the fine weather certainly brings people out.

To check out more images of Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/photos.html 

Image - Mike Hill Photography

Bands playing at Waihi Beach this summer

So far we know of 3 bands playing at the Waihi Beach Hotel this summer.

Black Seeds & Katchafire December 27th, Jimmy Barnes on Dec31st, Fat Freddys Drop On Jan 2nd Shihad on Jan 3rd and Shapeshifter on Jan 8th - tickets available from the Waihi Beach Hotel
http://www.beachpub.co.nz/

As soon as we are aware of prices and ticket availability we will let you know.

At Labour weekend there is - These 4 Walls playing on Saturday 23rd October and on Sunday 24th October there is a Queen tribute - " We will rock you" Tickets $20.00- for more information contact the
Waihi Beach Hotel 07 863 5402

For more information on activities at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Waihi Beach Sign on SH2

Back in late August after 15 months of working with WBOPDC and Transit we have finally got a sign up on the SH2 coming from Katikati to Waihi Beach approx 800 metres from the turnoff making potential visitors aware of Waihi Beach.It is not entirely what we wanted as we were keen to see a triangle shown to make visitors aware they could drive in from one end and drive out the other but Transit are going to put up another sign that will do that function - not sure why we need 2 signs and we have not heard back from them yet how they are going to do it

We are still working with WBOPDC and Transit over a sign coming from Waihi to Waihi Beach. Transit Waikato have issues with our new sign over its size.

To find Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/map.html

Annaconda Multi Sport Event

Anaconda Multi sport event – the inaugural Waihi /Waihi Beach Anaconda Multisport Event held in late April was a resounding success and augers well for an even better event in 2011.With approx 300 competitors from as far a field as Australia the event really showcased the beauty of the Waihi/Waihi Beach region - http://www.anacondaadventurerace.co.nz/  

to check out more activities at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Award winning cafe/restaurant at Waihi Beach

The Porch Kitchen & Bar recently won the coveted national  13th Montieths Beer & Wild Food challenge for 2010. The Porch previously entered, being a finalist in 2009 but this year scooped top prize with their dish "Boorack meets Underbelly" which matches Montieths pilsner with a wild boar rack and slow roasted boar belly on a roast pumkin leak & proscuitto ragu with tomato & basil sugo and a tamarillo & piko piko chutney accompanied by a watercress, pear, walnut and fennel salad.
The aim of the competition is to source your foods within a 100k radius and a lot of the Porch's food is from those suppliers within the 100ks.
The result is great for the owners of The Porch, Riaan & Carla Botha and head chef Brad King and it helps in putting Waihi Beach on the map proving you don't have to be in the bigger cities/towns to get great food.The Porch

For more information on eating out at Waihi Beach  www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Waihi Beach new cycle track

I have been trying out the new Waihi Beach to Bowentown cycle track - bloody fantastic and a good ride. It meanders along the coast through a little bush at the top of the Tauranga harbour and come out just close to the Bowentown cafe and the Bowentown Boating & Sports Fishing Club.

There is a huge benfit to cyclists here as the road from Island View to Bowentown has a 100 k speed limit and cyclists travel sometimes at their peril. This new cycle track takes you off the main road and provides a senic route and is great for the beach!
 For more information on activities at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Waihi Beach and its identity

When we moved here to Waihi Beach friends from Auckland and others wondered why we moved to Waihi. We explained we had moved to Waihi Beach  for our business and it is  some 10ks approx from Waihi - its like comparing Mt Albert with Takapuna except they have similar names. The climates are quite different - our son works up at the Martha gold mine in Waihi and used to come home and talk about the wet day he had been through - we would look at each other and say what rain? The people who live in Waihi Beach are also quite different - they are a mix of retirees and younger folk who have chosen to live at the beach. The Beach has  very much a Waikato link with many homes /batches owned by  people originally from that region.Waihi Beach is a great seaside town on the east coast  and it is the jewel in the crown of both the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty regions.

Check out a map of the Coromandel to see the Waihi Beach Location www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/contact.html

Guests - We need to give them better advice about distances & driving times

Just had some guests who arrived here from The Bay of Islands via The Coromandel - all in one day and 9 1/2 hours driving - not sure what they saw but they arrived @ 9o'clock at night, frazzled and looking for somewhere to eat.Luckily we had a cafe open who obliged  and helped out.This is not the first time this has happened so we need to work out a plan that helps our guests enjoy our countryside more.
We should better educate any agents who send us guests as to the distances and road conditions as well as things to see on the way. The driving time coming direct to Waihi Beach from the Bay of Islands alone would have been 5 1/2 hours without a stop and that is plenty for guests who are used to driving on the other side of the road. Not only that you could have stopped off in Matakana or Warkworth and again in the Karangahake gorge to look at some highlights and break the trip and seen some of our wonderful country.

To find Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/map.html

Torpedo fishing on the weekend with the bros

kiwi style fishing


Went torpedo fishing with my brothers on the weekend as they were keen to see if we there were any fish around and if we still had the touch. Well not really touch as we had not had the torpedo out for a few months and then without luck. We were a little early - best using the change of light - but the fish & sea gods were smiling on us and we ended up with 3 gurnard which were quickly cleaned and eaten a few hours later.
Also used  seaweed & macadaemia nut to crumb the fish - out standing coating and great taste.

For more on activities at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html

Family weekend

Had my immediate family here this last weekend - 3 other brothers and my sister along with their wives and partners plau our dad. We had a wonderful weekend having a few laughs at each others expense and poking the borax where and as necessary. It seems the girls have sorted Ali out in joining them to the Jo Seager fundraiser night in Auckland and apparently they are off to see Jersey boys in Oz next year. The weekend came up very quickly and was over in a flash - too fast  and far too short. We ate very well thanks to the work of all the chefs and food providers and the weather gods were very kind - sun and fine weather for 2 days. Roll on Xmas

For more information on activities at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html