Al heads to the Coromandel, to travel along what today is the classic Kiwi holiday destination.
His journey begins at popular Hot Water Beach with long time resident Gordon Pye, whose family was farming here over a hundred years ago, their dairy herd grazing right down to the beach. Gordon was responsible for opening the Hot Water Beach Campground in the mid 1960s, providing seasonal holiday-makers with access to this beautiful stretch of coastline.
After a soak in the warm water, Al runs into the local surf club as they set up for the day and meets his next coaster, Gary Hinds. Known as the pied piper of Hot Water Beach, Gary and his team are carrying on the great tradition of voluntary service that's at the heart of New Zealand's lifesaving movement.
Next stop for Al is beautiful Cathedral Cove and he decides to explore it with the help of Mike Grogan who runs Cathedral Cove Kayaks. They paddle across Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, established in 1992 to protect the surrounding waters.
Further north Al drops in on Susan Grierson and partner Rod McLaren, custodians of 38 hectares of land that make up the Stella Evered Memorial Park. Together they gather cockles for lunch of Oven Roasted Snapper Fillets with Clam Stuffing Crust.
Al continues his journey, crossing the Purangi River, and a little further round the coast is historic Cooks Beach. Al catches up with local farmer, Toby Morcom, who has a passion for this area's rich past and discovers why Captain Cook stopped here to observe the Transit of Mercury.
click here to see where to watch or .
Ready to Watch Coasters, Season 1, Episode 5?