The 309 Road is a 22.0 km, narrow, winding, gravel road between Whitianga and the town of Coromandel. In fact, it's the shortest route between Mercury Bay's Whitianga and the Hauraki Gulf's Coromandel township. This scenic route follows the meandering Mahakirau Stream up the Mercury Bay side, over the 306 metre summit and along the Waiau River as it descends through pine forest, native bush, scrub and to the farmlands just south of Coromandel. It presents no problem to the motorist who drives steadily and stays well to the left around the corners.
The 309 Kauri Grove at 14.1 km is noted by a turnout parking area. Remembering that the Coromandel Peninsula was once covered by these magnificent kauri trees, it is well worth the walk along the old coach road, which is now a gravel path, and boardwalks to stand next to these few remaining giants — protected from before the turn of the century. The walk takes about 10 minutes but you need 15 - 45 minutes to appreciate the beauty.
if you continue from the cache along the walkway, you can get real close to the trees, and even see a 'siamese kauri'
