COROMANDEL PENINSULA - North Island, New Zealand

The Coromandel Peninsula is a thumb shaped stretch of land with superb swimming and surf beaches, separating Auckland's Hauraki Gulf from the Pacific Ocean. The west coast of the peninsula is laced by pohutukawa trees and beautiful sheltered beaches, good for swimming at certain tides.

The east coast seems to be people's favourite with beautiful white sand beaches and good surf. These beaches have become holiday hotspots with lots of houses springing up to cater to both tourists and holidaymakers. Humble old family "baches" (kiwispeak for beach house) are being snapped up and converted into million dollar properties.

The myriad layout of bush, beaches and hills in the coastal towns have attracted a host of artists, craftspeople, healers and alternative lifestyle practitioners.

Many of the arts and crafts practitioners sell their works of art from their homes and studios. The Coromandel Craft Trail leaflet outlines thirty or more art and craft outlets on the peninsula selling everything silk flowers to bronze and concrete sculptures.

The Coromandel Range that runs through the interior of the peninsula is very sacred to the Maoris and is bracketed by Mt Moehau at its northern tip and Mt Te Aroha in the south. The summit of Mt Moehau is sacred Maori-owned land and is the burial place of the commander of one of the great migration canoes, the Te Arawa.

The former gold mining town of Thames forms a good base for exploring the Kauaeranga Valley with great walking tracks. Up north, the tiny town of Coromandel is home to the Driving Creek Railway and the Waiau Waterworks.

Colville is a remote northern town, over to the east is Mercury Bay, the main town there being Whitianga. Close by is the famous Hot Water Beach with surfside hot springs. The Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve has superb snorkeling spots. The most popular beaches on the south part of the peninsula are Whangamata and Waihi Beach.

Coromandel

Coromandel is a pretty little town in the northern part of Coromandel Peninsula. It is 58 kms north of Thames at the head of the Coromandel Harbour. It is a launching point for the Coromandel Walkway.

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Tairua

Tairua is situated midway between Whitianga and Whangamata on the route SH25. It is a small developed beachside town and is a beehive of activity in the peak season from Christmas to end of January.

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Whangamata

Whangamata is a coastal resort on State Highway 25 towards the southern end of the Coromandel Peninusla. It is enclosed by the ocean and estuaries on its three sides and the bush covered hills on its fourth. This is home to Ocean Beach, an extremely popular spot for holidaymakers in January.

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Waihi

Waihi is located about 30 kms south of Whangamata along SH25. It is also the entry point to Karangahake Gorge. It is an interesting town with a rich history.

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Whitianga

Waihi is located about 30 kms south of Whangamata along SH25. It is also the entry point to Karangahake Gorge. It is an interesting town with a rich history.

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Coromandel Transportation

Renting a car is a good way of travelling around the remote stretches. Bus travel can be frustrating though services exist. There is a loop service from Thames north to Coromandel, across to Whitianga, south through Tairua and back across to Thames.

There are many tour operators running organised tours of the peninsula from Auckland and there is also a backpackers tour bus from Tauranga. You have an option to fly into Whitianga from Auckland. There is a tri weekly ferry service from Auckland to Coromandel Harbour coinciding with their full day Coromandel Discovery Tours.

Coromandel Peninsula Accommodation

Coromandel Peninsula Activities