Coromandel

Explore rugged rainforest-clad gorges and Pohutukawa-fringed beaches in a region rich in history and home to a thriving population of artists and craftspeople.

With 400 kilometres of coastline, The Coromandel is the perfect place for a beach-hopping holiday. Summer road trips are made even more spectacular by the red-flowering Pohutukawa trees dotted along the roadside. 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 on a rainforest trail or explore Gold Rush history, and at the end of the day recharge at a sophisticated restaurant; The Coromandel is the perfect place to unwind.

DO IT. Snorkel at Hahei Marine Reserve, dig your own spa at Hot Water Beach, fish for big game species like marlin in Mercury Bay, explore gold mining in the past and present at Waihi, abseil in the Karangahake Gorge, taste a few of the 80,000 scallops on offer at the Scallop Festival in August.

Destinations

Coromandel Town Quaint little village famous for its art and crafts.
Paeroa Home to New Zealand’s iconic home-grown soft drink.
Pauanui & Tairua Twin resort towns split by a river.
Thames Main centre and gateway to the region.
Waihi Historic gold-mining town with a sparkling surf beach nearby.
Whangamata Surf, forest and café culture.
Whitianga Seaside holiday resort popular for swimming, fishing and boating.

Getting there and around

Air There is no regional airport in The Coromandel, though there are small airstrips for flights from Auckland at Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga and Pauanui. The nearest international airport is Auckland International Airport.
Road The Coromandel is 90 minutes from Auckland along the Pacific Coast Highway, and 90 minutes from Rotorua or Tauranga. 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.
Ferry A passenger ferry service to Coromandel operates from Auckland. A small ferry crosses between Whitianga and Ferry Landing, giving access to eastern beaches.

Insider's tip

A ferry operates daily between Coromandel Town and Auckland City. The relaxing boat ride takes just under two hours.

An illustrious history

In 1852 alluvial gold was discovered at Driving Creek by Charles Ring, but it was not until the 1860s that a discovery near Thames stimulated a major gold rush in The Coromandel. By 1868 the population of Thames had boomed to 18,000, making it the second most populous town in New Zealand at the time.