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.

DESTINATION-NZ.COM HIGHLIGHTS

Dive into the crystal clear waters around the Alderman Islands or at Hahei Marine Reserve and encounter a unique mix of subtropical and temperate species. Explore quirky art and craft galleries, watching artists at work in their own studios before picking out your favourite pieces to take home. Get behind the wheel and drive the Thames Coast Road north from Thames – in summer the route is lined with spectacular red-flowering pohutukawa.

NOTABLE CULTURE

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 town’s population was 18,000, making it the second most populous town in New Zealand.

MOMENT IN HISTORY

Mercury Bay was named by Captain Cook when he observed the transit of the planet Mercury across the sun while in The Coromandel region in 1769.

THE ICONIC EXPERIENCE

Grab your towel and pick your way down the trail to Cathedral Cove – it’s a half-hour walk, but you’ll be rewarded by two unforgettable white sand beaches linked by a natural rock arch.