A truly special region boasting 400 kilometres of unspoilt coastline, volcanic hills cloaked in rainforest, unique thermal attractions and fascinating Polynesian and gold-mining history.

Combining coastal scenery, forest and gold rush history, The Coromandel is a uniquely inspiring destination. With its rich combination of attractions, it’s no surprise that this is a popular destination. In the west, the Firth of Thames is paradise for nature lovers. More than 100 species, such as the Eastern Bar-tailed Godwit, the Turnstone and the Red-necked Stint, fly 10,000 km south from the Arctic Circle to the Firth of Thames each spring, making just one stop in Asia along the way, and fly north again in autumn. Further north, Coromandel Town is a great base for exploring the peninsula.

Once the setting of a gold rush, The Coromandel is also rich in history – visitors can tour underground gold mines or pan for bounty of their own! At Driving Creek, experience the gold rush era on a narrow-gauge railway. A bustling boomtown in the 1852 gold rush, The Coromandel has settled into a relaxed community full of artists inspired by the surroundings. The region has a flourishing artistic community with painting, craft and sculpture galleries set amongst the landscape. The Coromandel is also the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday. Whitianga and Whangamata on the east coast are beach resorts offering sheltered or surf beaches. At Hot Water Beach visitors can even dig their own hot spa in the sand. Marine life flourishes, making it the perfect place for snorkelling, diving or sea kayaking. Whatever your client’s budget or interests, The Coromandel is waiting to indulge.

Regional Highlights

Unforgettable Sights

Cathedral Cove An iconic Pohutukawa-fringed white-sand beach accessible only on foot or by boat. Hot Water Beach Visitors can dig their own hot pool on a lovely white-sand beach between Tairua and Whitianga. Karangahake Gorge Rugged rainforest at the site of New Zealand’s original gold rush. Pinnacles, Kauaeranga Valley The jagged summit of the Pinnacles offers panoramic views of The Coromandel. New Chums Beach Consistently voted one of the world’s top ten beaches.

Adrenaline Rush

Big game fishing (Mercury Islands) Experience the thrill of landing big Coromandel Yellowtail Kingfish. www.epicadventures.co.nz Tandem Skydive On the east coast of The Coromandel. Abseiling Set in the beautiful Karangahake Gorge. Scuba diving (Whitianga) At the Aldermen Islands and Hahei Marine Reserve. www.divethecoromandel.co.nz

Relax & Indulge

The Lost Spring (Whitianga) Soak in relaxing thermal hot springs. www.thelostspring.co.nz Sailing Visit the Mercury Islands in beautiful Mercury Bay. Hot Water Beach When the tide is out, dig your own hot spa at Hot Water Beach.

Luxury

Manawa Ridge (Waihi) Enjoy a luxury experience in a beautiful natural setting. www.manawaridge.co.nz Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort Enjoy a massage and facial, or sample a port in front of the fire. www.pukapark.co.nz Luxury launch charter (Whitianga) Charter a luxury launch for the ultimate escape.

Culture

Gold mining history Explore gold mine relics in Waihi and Coromandel Town. www.thecoromandel.com Mercury Bay Museum (Whitianga) Investigate the history of two great historic navigators; Kupe and Captain Cook. www.mercurybaymuseum.co.nz Coromandel Town Explore the thriving local arts scene of this creative hotbed.

Natural New Zealand

Hahei Marine Reserve (Whitianga) Swim amongst the huge schools of resident snapper at this popular and beautiful marine reserve. www.glassbottomboatwhitianga.co.nz Kiwi Dundee Adventures (Whangamata) Experience the Coromandel Forest with Kiwi Dundee. www.kiwidundee.co.nz Waiau Kauri Grove Marvel at 1,000-year-old trees saved from loggers.

On a Budget

Driving Creek Railway (Coromandel Town) New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway. www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz The Waterworks (Coromandel Town) Visit these water gardens filled with numerous water-driven contraptions. www.waiauwaterworks.co.nz Coromandel Coastal Walkway (Coromandel Town) Catch a shuttle bus to this spectacular walkway. www.coromandeldiscovery.co.nz

The Iconic Experience

Accessible only on foot or by boat, Cathedral Cove is a beautiful beach known for its iconic limestone arch and unspoilt marine environment.

Dining & Shopping

Exclusive Dining

Salt Bar & Restaurant (Whitianga) Award-winning restaurant overlooking the marina. www.whitiangahotel.co.nz

Casual Dining

The Peppertree Restaurant & Bar (Coromandel Town)  Award-winning food for all the family, phone +64 7 866 8211

Café

Koru at Rapaura (Rapaura) Great coffee and hearty local food at a 64-acre estate in Coromandel Forest Park. www.rapaurawatergardens.co.nz

Stylish Bar

Star and Garter (Coromandel Town) Slick Colonial-style refurbished bar. www.starandgarter.co.nz

Cosy Pub

Punter’s Bar & Grill (Tairua) Sports bar and value-for-money meals, phone +64 7 864 9370.

Culinary Experience

Whitianga Scallop Festival (Whitianga) (August) Sample some of the 80,000 scallops on offer at this popular annual festival. www.scallopfestival.co.nz

Shop or Gallery

Weta Design Studio (Coromandel Town) Award-winning design shop housed in an old drapery – a great place to browse and purchase sculptures, paintings, glass art and jewellery. www.wetadesign.co.nz

Suggested Itineraries

2 days in The Coromandel

Start Auckland  I  Finish Auckland
Day 1 Auckland – Coromandel Town
Day 2 Coromandel Town – Auckland
From Auckland, drive the Pacific Coast Highway to Thames then along the coastline. At Coromandel Town explore galleries, studios and the Driving Creek Railway. On Day 2, depart Coromandel Town and take SH 25 to Whitianga. At Whitianga, sample galleries or adventure activities. South of Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove are must-sees. Continue down SH 25 to Tairua and Pauanui before returning to Auckland.

5 days in The Coromandel

Start Auckland  I  Finish Auckland
Day 1 Auckland – Coromandel Town
Day 2 Coromandel Town – Whitianga
Day 3 Whitianga – Tairua/Pauanui
Day 4 Tairua/Pauanui – Whangamata
Day 5 Whangamata – Auckland
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Auckland to Thames. Tour an old gold mine and go hiking in Kauaeranga Valley. Continue north along SH 25. At Coromandel Town, explore galleries, studios and Driving Creek Railway. On Day 2, take SH 25 to Whitianga. In Whitianga explore the shops or catch the ferry to Ferry Landing. On Day 3, get out on the water, fishing, diving or sightseeing. Afterwards, drive south, stopping at Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove, and on to Tairua and Pauanui. On Day 4, take SH 25 to Whangamata with its surf beach. On Day 5, hit the beach then depart for the gold mining town of Waihi. From Waihi, take SH 2 through Karangahake Gorge to Paeroa and return to Auckland in the afternoon.

Road Trip

Thames Coast Road north of Thames Lined with flowering Pohutukawa in summer. www.pacificcoast.co.nz

Transport

Airports

There is no major regional airport in The Coromandel, though there is a small airstrip for flights from Auckland. The nearest international airport is Auckland International Airport. www.auckland-airport.co.nz
Roads The Coromandel is 90 minutes’ drive from Auckland, Rotorua or Tauranga. Coaches provide regular services to and from the region. The Coromandel is a great region to explore by car, although some roads are narrow and winding.

Ferries

A passenger ferry service operates between Ferry Landing and Whitianga and also between Tairua and Pauanui.

Further Information

Tourism Coromandel

Trade contact trade@thecoromandel.com
Phone +64 7 868 0017
Fax +64 7 868 5986
Email info@thecoromandel.com
www.thecoromandel.com

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