A favourite holiday spot for local kiwis, The Coromandel is blessed with a golden coastline, mountainous interior and colourful laid-back locals. To give you a taste of what to expect from your visit to The Coromandel, here's an overview of great itinerary ideas I've collated for you.
A visit to this region of New Zealand will give you insight into a true Kiwi favourite. Renowned for its natural beauty – rural farmland, misty rainforests and pristine golden beaches, The Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to escape, relax and unwind. Highlights can include:
let your arms do the work for a change, and enjoy the magic of sea kayaking with Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours 🛶
choose from 5 different sections that make up the Hauraki Rail Trail and cycle through the area rich in pioneering history and scenery 🚴
take in the remote Coromandel Coastal Walkway a spectacular 7 hour return walk that traverses farmland and coastal forest 👟
explore stunning beaches, rugged volcanic coastline and nearby islands including Cathedral Cove with Ocean Leopard Tours 🛥️
the dramatic volcanic peak of Mount Paku provides spectacular views for those that aspire to climb the 15 minutes to the summit 👟
entertain the family or enjoy being a 'big kid' at The Waterworks New Zealand's quirkiest theme park 👪
hop aboard the scenic Glass Bottom Boat cruise to world famous Cathedral Cove while watching awesome marine life below 🐟
take in superb views from the "Eyefull Tower" after climbing through regenerating native Kauri forest on the Driving Creek Railway 🚂
New Chums Beach rewards those that take the time to find it - no roads, no buildings, no infrastructure - just white sand with azure water 🌊 🐚
surrounded by tropical and native bush, The Lost Spring offers geo-thermal pools and a spa perfect for yourself and a loved one ♨️
The Pinnacles walk climbs through ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges and is a popular overnight walk 👟⛰️
this short easy Karangahake Gorge Windows Walk boasts beautiful scenery and interesting gold mining remnants and tunnels 👟
not for the faint hearted, the Sleeping God Canyon will have you descending 300 metres of waterfalls by sliding, jumping + abseiling
stunning views of the coast guide you along the Cathedral Cove Walkway to the dramatic cliffs and iconic rock archway 👟📸
the dramatic volcanic peak of Mount Paku provides spectacular views for those that aspire to climb the 15 minutes to the summit 👟
best visited two hours either side of low tide, Hot Water Beach is the place to dig your own hot pool, and soak metres from the ocean 🌊 🐚 ♨️
break up your road trip to enjoy a sweet soft drink found only in New Zealand - Lemon & Paeroa is celebrated with the giant L&P bottle🤳
kayak or SUP to Donut Island (Whenuakura) and be rewarded with unforgettable and breathtaking scenery that inspires the imagination 🛶
THE COROMANDEL AT A GLANCE 🛏️ minimum 2 night stay recommended 📅 visit any time of year
📍 6 out of 10 visitors include The Coromandel in their New Zealand itinerary
🌦️there is a chance of rain 4 days each week on average each year
👨👩👦👦Family fun scores well here with plenty to keep children entertained 🍽️Food + Wine experiences in this region were often mentioned as a highlight 🏳️🌈 LGBTQI+ friendly 👍
This part of New Zealand is home to:
Largest town: Thames
Popular places: Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Coromandel Town, Hahei, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata, Waihi, Paeroa, Thames Coast, Paeroa, Karangahape Gorge, Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Ngatea, Coroglen, Hauraki Rail Trail, New Chums Beach, Whangapoua, Matarangi, Opito Bay, The Pinnacles and more...
Accessible by:
🚗 self-drive on a road trip
✈️ board a plane to land at Whitianga Aerodrome (WTZ)
🚌 take a bus from Auckland, Tauranga or the Waikato
⛴️ travel by ferry from Auckland City or Waiheke Island
