With 400 kilometres of coastline, The Coromandel is the perfect place for a beach-hopping holiday. Rustic, laid-back and unspoilt, this is a place where you can fully relax – the most taxing decision will be which one-of-a-kind treasure to buy in a quaint craft gallery. Charter a boat in Mercury Bay, go mountain biking or explore the region’s rich gold rush history, and then recharge at a sophisticated restaurant; The Coromandel is the perfect place to unwind.
Highlights
Cathedral Cove It’s a half-hour walk from the car-park, but these two unforgettable white-sand beaches linked by a natural rock arch and fringed by Pohutukawa trees are stunningly beautiful. Art and crafts The Coromandel’s beauty inspires creativity – it is populated by numerous artists and their studios are often open to visitors. Hot Water Beach Thermal springs well up under Hot Water Beach, just south of Whitianga, so when the tide goes out you can dig your own spa in the sand – the further the tide goes out, the hotter the water gets! Kauaeranga Valley Pinnacles The jagged summit of the Pinnacles towers above the surrounding rainforest offering panoramic views. Driving Creek Railway New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway inches its way up through regenerating Kauri forest to a viewing tower at the summit. There’s also a pottery complex on site.
Destinations
Thames Historic main centre and gateway to the region. Coromandel Town Tranquil haven for artists and craftspeople. Whitianga Popular harbourside holiday town and home to the world famous scallop festival. Hahei Tiny village surrounded by great beaches. Tairua Cafés, restaurants and a surf beach. Pauanui Plush beach holiday resort. Whangamata Surfing, cafés and a forest park. Paeroa Home of Lemon & Paeroa – New Zealand’s iconic soft drink. Waihi A working goldmine and gateway to Karangahake Gorge.
Getting There and Around
Air There is no regional airport, though there are small airstrips for flights from Auckland at Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga and Pauanui. Road Coromandel Town is 2 hours, 25 minutes from Auckland and Tauranga, and 3 hours, 5 minutes from Rotorua. Coaches provide regular services to, from and around the region. The Coromandel can be a great region to explore by car, although some roads are narrow and winding. Auckland to Coromandel [168 km; 2 hr, 25 min] Hamilton to Coromandel [162 km; 2 hr, 20 min] Tauranga to Coromandel [170 km; 2 hr, 25 min] Rotorua to Coromandel [218 km; 3 hr, 5 min] Thames to Coromandel [54 km; 45 min]. Ferry A passenger ferry service to Coromandel operates from Auckland. A small ferry crosses between Whitianga and Ferry Landing giving access to eastern beaches.
