The Coromandel Peninsula is surrounded by water with over 400 kilometers of coastline and the drive along the east coast is one of the great road trips in the world. The roads, while they can't be classified as wide, meander along metres from the ocean, beaches and rocks. Every corner turned represents a photo opportunity and on a clear day the glistening white sand invites one and all for a quick swim.

During spring and summer the beautiful Pohutukawa trees beside the road add to the wow factor. Small townships dot the coastline and out to sea the huge mussel farms can be seen. Fishing for the ever-present snapper is the most popular activity of the locals and the fish are plentiful.

Our favourite place was Coromandel Town that was a few hours of slow tourist driving and stopping from Auckland. The town has an inviting atmosphere and we chose to stay the night in one of the three caravan parks available. The local iSite or tourist information bureau was a great source of knowledge and their valuable insights into the town was much appreciated. We chose to visit the Driving Creek Railway the next day and the staff was more than happy to make the booking.

Officially known as the Driving Creek Railway and Potteries, it is the brainchild of Barry Bricknell a local potter who established the pottery workshop in 1973. As a committed railway enthusiast Barry could see the need to build a railway to give him access to clay and the pinewood for kiln fuel. The story we were told on our train journey was that the bank pointed out to Barry that to pay his bills he might like to consider taking tourists on a rain ride. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The railway line is New Zealand's only narrow-gauge mountain railway and the trip up the mountain offers spectacular views. The driver is a great source of information as he explains how the line was built, the history of the land and points out the huge kauri trees which dot the mountainside. Of interest was the huge number of bottles built into the walls to keep them stable. These bottles were apparently emptied by Barry and the other potters who have made the workshop their home over the years during their many parties.

There are several major civil engineering features on the railway. Some of the big viaducts were built under difficult conditions, reminding us of the early colonial engineering feats. The three short tunnels were made by the cut and cover process. Ceramic art works complimenting the engineering can be seen from the train.

These works were done in exchange for being allowed to work and use the kiln in the workshop. The railway cars are wide enough to seat two adults comfortably as the train makes its way to the top to the top terminus, the beautifully named Eyefull Tower. The Tower offers colossal views out over the Hauraki Gulf and Islands.

The guide informed us that Barry would be buried on his beloved site. He will be able to watch the giant kauri trees he planted grow for centuries and make sure that the twelve staff now employed there continued the work as he intended.

Of course you can find souvenirs at the lower terminus and as an added bonus many great pottery works from Driving Creek's own potters and sculptors can be purchased. The railway is a great way to spend a morning.

Article supplied by Ezinearticles featured writer Bob Lord

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