After a fantastic couple of nights in Coromandel, we packed up and headed over the hill toward Whitianga. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, we weren’t quite sure how busy things would get during the “silly season.”

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Our first stop was at the main beach, where Fiona decided to stretch her legs with a walk along the promenade into town and back. After soaking in the views, we made our way to the NZMCA park.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t as packed as we’d feared. The park was only about 30% full when we arrived, but by the next day—New Year’s Eve, it was full to the brim! The vibe was great, though, with lots of friendly folks around, and the bonus.  Being right next to the airfield meant we got to enjoy some incredible aerial displays from several warbirds flown in from Ardmore. It was absolutely fantastic!

On our second day, we wandered into town for lunch. Whitianga was buzzing with energy, but not overwhelming.

We enjoyed a delicious meal on the main street and took our time exploring the shops. The heat was in full swing, so we took regular breaks to sit in the shade and people-watch. It was one of those perfect summer afternoons.

On the way back, we popped into Woolworths for a few supplies before heading back to the truck. The rest of the day was pure bliss chilling out with some music, enjoying the lively atmosphere, and watching the world go by at the now very busy park