The Coromandel Peninsula even in winter is a slice of heavenly white sandy beaches, hidden coves and lush forested hills all the essential elements of a classic Kiwi holiday. For us, it is a sort of holiday in that we get out of our home environment to head off to experience a small community we have only previously passed through. This time our experience will be staying in a local area around the Coromandel coast for a month.
Having completed over 37 housesits, mainly in Europe, Turkey and the UK we weren’t ready to give up all our hard work, the reputation of being reliable and experienced housesitters.
We have missed our previous life of being “nomads” and being involved with housesitting and most of all, meeting new people and their pets.
This time we don’t have to travel 24hrs covering thousands of kilometres using a variety of travel methods to get to where we need to be.
Just one mode of transportation. Our car. Travelling from Tauranga to the Coromandel will only take approximately a two-hour drive by car without a detour to Whangamata or other coastal towns. Two felines [Mumba and Pippy] will be greeting us as will their human parents and neighbours.
Our first meeting with everyone will be enjoyed over a casual lunch.
A few HIGHLIGHTS

It is far from being new territory, for us to explore. Though it has been years since we ventured through that area. Our month there will mean that we can refamiliarise ourselves with some of the 400 kilometres (250 miles) of coastline, unspoilt beaches, walks through the rainforest that surrounds many of the beaches. It will be winter by the time we finish our first week. We are prepared for rainy days, and the raincoats are packed to enjoy long walks along the beach.
Then there are the quaint villages/towns to visit for supplies and the essential flat white after exploring. Not that we will be venturing too far from our base, as the beach at our doorstep will have most of our attention for the month.
We are fortunate, as we will be replenishing our energy in a tranquil area while savouring a few delicious meals of fresh fish if the fisherman is in the right spot when those fish are biting.
This is a taster of more to come about our time on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Wow, we rented a Bach on the Coromandel at Christmas staying at Tuateawa. It was absolutely idyllic and even stopped raining so we could prepare a barbecue dinner!
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Thanks for the comment and pleased you enjoyed your time on the Coromandel. For some reason, Christmas time and unsettled weather is common all around NZ.
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Looks and sounds heavenly. Fingers crossed the fishermen are in the right place at the right time!
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It happened right on cue!
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Hi Suzanne, I made myself a note to make sure I read this post. New Zealand has a special place in our hearts. We stayed on Cooks Beach, Coromandel Peninsula at Flaxmill Bay Hideaway for a few days at the beginning of this year. I posted a story on March 10, 2019 showing pictures of Lonely Bay titled “Contemplating a tattoo in New Zealand”. I was inspired by watching the waves. I look forward to reading more about your visit:) Erica
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Great to hear you’re housesitting again Suzanne and in such a beautiful place, there’s something wonderful about being by the sea, and with a couple of lovely kitties 🙂
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Officially our first “batchsitting” by the ocean 🙂 As it is an old batch [holiday home] that has been renovated. It is lovely to be looking after animals once again.
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So happy to see you are both on the road again. Have a wonderful month in that beautiful location. Relax and enjoy! X
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Thanks Jane and we are 🙂
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This sounds wonderful Suzanne! Having the beach on your doorstep means lots of lovely walking opportunities!
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It is great having the ocean so close as in stand on the deck and throw a stone in the water. Lovely for a break.
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Wishing you a wonderful time! The Coromandel Peninsula looks amazing! How lovely that you get back to house sitting again and get to explore new areas, or at least one you’ve been out of touch for a while. 😊
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Thanks very much Sarah and we are enjoying being by the seaside 🙂
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Sounds lovely, Suzanne. Enjoy!
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We are enjoying being here, thanks Christie.
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Hi Suzanne it is lovely that you can still experience your housesitting which I know you both enjoyed. Each time I read your posts I want to book another trip to NZ it is such a beautiful country. Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful home with us at #MLSTL and I’ve pinned and shared. x
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I loved this area when we visited NZ Suz! Your housesit sounds perfect and what a lovely place to stay put for a while. Enjoy! Have pinned for #mlstl
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Thanks, Deb, just rescued your comment from the spam bin. It is a lovely place to be and to plan our next trip to Australia 🙂
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Me spam???? I don’t think so! If you come to Aus then we must try to catch up!
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Of course you aren’t spam 🙂 Heading up to Northern Queensland, Cairns area and maybe as far as Townsville area with a trip inland. Hiring a motorhome for 40 days. It would’ve been good to catch up, one day 🙂
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That sounds lovely! We’re on our way to Brisbane now. Road trip!!
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Enjoy 🙂
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One doesn’t need to go far to enjoy a bit of house and pet sitting. 🙂 I’m happy for you both to get a change of scenery and spend a month in this beautiful area. You also often seem to have fun meeting the owners and the neighbors. Not all of our house sits are that social! Enjoy!
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Thanks Liesbet, and we are looking forward to it and not too far away. Yes, not all of our housesits are social. Though we always find someone to chat with or have even found ex-NZer’s living in a small village where we have housesat. Small world:-)
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What a lovely spot Suzanne – all that beach! Nice that it’s almost local and not across the world this time too. I bet you’re so excited to get started and enjoy your month with those two lovely pets as well.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
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Yes, we are thanks Leanne 🙂
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Coromandel peninsula looks beautiful. The fresh sea air alone is good for our mind and body. I look forward to seeing more. #MLSTL
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Indeed Natalie I have to agree that the fresh sea air is good for the mind and body. Looking forward to it.
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Glad to see you getting back into housesitting again.
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Thanks Anabel and yes so are we.
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Yay! It’s good to see you didn’t totally give up on house sitting and your nomadic lifestyle! The Coromandel Peninsula looks like a stunning place to explore, and it must be nice to be able to get home without the 24 hours on a plane!
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Hi Josy, I don’t think I could ever do that as I’ve been a traveler for most of my life. We are looking forward to a change of scenery.
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Sounds really lovely. Much less travelling for you this time round too! Look forward to hearing more.
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Thanks Rachael and it is a lovely spot to spend our time.
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How lovely. Sounds like a nice easy and restful housesit for you. Enjoy!
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Cheers Miriam it will be a restful time for Les and I will still be training for my next half marathon 🙂 Though I will be cheering him on when he’s fishing!
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Hi, Suzanne – This looks like a win-win-win-win. You get to re-engage in something that you love, use your skills, help someone out and explore your own backyard. I have never done housesitting or petsitting but I have done over 25 different home exchanges (Australia, France, Thailand, Czech Republic, and several cities in the US and Canada). This past weekend, Richard and I did a home exchange that was just a two-hour drive from us. It came with numerous perks…including the opportunity to exchange with this same couple again (with minimal notice needed). 🙂
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Donna, I think you have created your own win win situation. House swapping does seem to have many features similar to housesitting. A big bonus is having repeats, which we loved as it was usually more relaxing the second time around. You must be getting excited about doing the Italian section of the camino.
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Sounds like a great idea, silly not to put those skills to use and what an opportunity to explore different parts of your own islands.
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Exactly Jude, why not indeed. It has been a while since we have explored in our backyard.
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Gorgeous area. I doubt if I’ll ever be in that part of the world, but one never knows. Enjoy!
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Never say never!
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Have a wonderful time. I look forward to hearing all about it.
P.S. I love your photos Sue. That sunrise/sunset? picture at the top is beautiful but they’re all fabulous. I love your composition and your artist’s eye.
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Thanks very much Wendy. I am sure we will and the fresh sea air will do wonders for Les. Hopefully he won’t keep getting recurring chest infections!!
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So happy to know that you are still doing some house/pet sitting! The Coromandel Peninsula looks amazing… I am looking forward to seeing more. I know you love dogs, but I imagine caring for cats will give you more time to relax and explore.
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Thanks Janis, we are happy to be doing housesitting again. Coromandel is a picturesque area. Yes, cats can be easier 😊
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i hope everyone doing well,
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It sounds like a perfect break Suzanne. Enjoy.
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Thanks very much Brigid we will enjoy our time away.
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It looks absolutely gorgeous 💚 Enjoy!
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Thanks very much Cathy and I’m sure we will.
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More housesitting adventures to look forward to for you and your readers. It looks a lovely spot.
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Two cats, and a house right on the beach for walks (for us not the cats 😊) Bliss.
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It certainly sounds blissful
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I’ll let you know 😊
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What a beautiful area to visit. Never done house sitting but not good with animals so I suppose not for me.. ;-).. enjoy your time.. 😉
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Yes, a love of animals is important Lisa 😊 Thank you we will enjoy it.
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Lovely place to spend a month…enjoy the change…
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Thanks Glenys we will enjoy it. Hope you and Dave also enjoy your time away x
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Oh enjoy! It looks great, and it’s so lovely to explore in depth and really get to know a local place.
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Thanks Tracey we will.
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I’m so glad to know you are still house sitting. Plenty of glorious options in our home country and all of them novel.
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Thanks Rachel and you are so right there are many beautiful spots to revisit and explore.
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May it be a great time of energy replenishment for you Suzanne!
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Thanks Denzel I’m sure it will be for us both.
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