The Porch Kitchen & Bar - Waihi Beach

                                   This image is of Orakawa Bay looking at it from the Homunga track

Reading the Sideswipe column on the back page of Monday mornings NZ Herald made me feel proud to live at Waihi Beach. In the column there was an article complementing the handling of a customers "coughing fit" by the staff and management at The Porch Kitchen & Bar and thanking them for their help- well done to Riaan, Carla and the staff at the Porch who were on that night.

It is a great advertisement for the Porch and for Waihi Beach.The only pity with the article it's headline said Waihi and not Waihi Beach!

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

Waihi Beach - new wedding venue open day

 The new wedding venue @ Waihi Beach On the Beach Weddings had its open day today and it seemed to be going very well.

There were plenty of people at the open day and there seemed to be lots of genuine enquires for Andy and his team ( Jane, Anne Marie and Rachel to deal with)

Every option seemed to be covered from wedding cakes to marque layout, DJ's, seating arrangements to menus- all taken care of.

There is lots of interest already with 19 weddings booked for the coming season

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

Waihi Beach Lodge and Steph the Heart Racer

Last week my niece Stephanie contacted me to advise she was running a half marathon and fundraising for the Heart Foundation in memory of my daughter Kim. Steph and Kim  had a great connection being approx the same age and starting uni at the same time and were becoming more than just cousins - really good mates.

Steph has a webpage and is fundrasing in many ways- pledges etc but also she is going to run an auction on Trademe auctioning off a package of 2 nights luxury accommodation  and gourmet breakfasts at Waihi Beach Lodge and a 2 hour Harley ride courtesy of Ali & Baz @ Bularangi Harley Tours - total value of the whole package is approx $890.00.

Check out Stephs webpage www.heartracer.org.nz/StephanieWhyte 

I will put on the link to the auction as soon as its available.

For more info check out www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/hosts.html  for more details

Waihi Beach videos

 image Barry Jesney

Check out the local Waihi Beach website http://www.waihibeachinfo.co.nz/ for 3 videos promoting the beach - http://bit.ly/KB6wbv 

These have ben provided by the WBOPDC and were made last year by Central TV.

The videos give an overview of the beach  in 3 parts - northern end, the vilage and town centre and the bowentown end all helping to add to the profile of Waihi Beach.

For more info onwhat to do at Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.htnl

Hauraki Rail Trail

The Hauraki Rail Trail is going to be officially opend this weekend  and another major attaction for Southern Coromandel will be in place.

The Hauraki Rail Trail has many different options available to cyclists and walkers alike.
The Hauraki Rail Trail will be a 2-day ride, which makes it easy to do on weekends. You can start the trail from Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, or Te Aroha, and the trail also offers a range of shorter riding options, including day rides. One of the best features of the trail includes riding through the stunning Karangahake Gorge, natural beauty at it's best and right on our door step.

The trail is now 90% complete - this will add significantly to tourism activty in the medium and long term as more and more people become aware of the trail.

For more info on the trail and other activities to try from Waihi Beach www.waihibeachlodge.co.nz/activities.html