Coromandel PeninsulaGlorious beaches for Water Sports and Scenic Walks!
You can catch a ferry from downtown Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula. However most people will do the 2-3 hour drive south of Auckland! This beautiful area has dozens of lovely beaches and bays drawing huge populations enjoying their holidays in New Zealand here in the summer months. Many Aucklanders and those from the central North Island have baches (holiday homes) dotted around the coastline. GETTING THERE Take the motorway south and once over the Bombay Hills you veer left onto Highway 27 until you reach the junction signposted to Thames where you turn onto Highway 25. Cross the historic Kopu Bridge...about to be replaced....and you turn left to Thames township or right to take the route via Tairua. Coromandel Peninsula Beaches
Thames is a nice town for a break or an overnight stop if you want to do things in the area. You can go underground into the operational 19th century Stamper Battery, take a self guided tour through the museum and pan for gold. It was originally one of the richest goldmines of the time. Once you are through Thames you enjoy a truly beautiful drive....40 kms of coastline overhung with pohutakawa trees ...New Zealand’s Christmas Tree .You will enjoy the stunning red of these magnificent coastal trees if you are in the area November through to late January . While you can explore the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula...it is a winding, steep, slow route to the end. Many with limited time will go over the Tapu Hill to Whitianga , Hahei, Hotwater Beach and the many other lovely possibilities. Coromandel Coromandel township is a pretty spot for a meal at one of the excellent cafes and restaurants and a wander. This old town is interesting with historic wooden buildings, arts and crafts and The Driving Creek Railway for those who love trains! Coromandel Walks Coromandel Coastal Walkway The Coastal Walkway links Fletchers Bay to Stony Bay and is considered one of the most beautiful coastal walks in New Zealand, with spectacular views of Great Barrier Island, Cuvier, the Hauraki Gulf and Pacific Ocean. A 3 hour walk through pristine bush, farmland and along the coastline. There are regular shuttles from Coromandel town which link each end of the 4 hour one way trek. 309 Kauri Grove You need to travel nearly 8kms along Kauri Grove Road to this short 15 minute walking track taking you through a lovely stand of bush to a grove of 13 huge old kauri trees. Papa Aroha This short walk adjoining the Papa Aroha Holiday Park north of Coromandel Town, meanders through puriri, kohekohe and pohutukawa coastal forest giving you access to a lovely beach.Around 40 minutes return
Whitianga....... Buffalo Beach on the waterfront and sitting in Mercury Bay, is a good central spot on Coromandel Peninsula from where you can take a variety of day trips to various beautiful beaches. There is a ferry across to Ferry Landing. You can hire motorcycles here to visit the beaches in the area or take your car across to explore. Whitianga caters well for holiday makers with waterfront bars, several good restaurants and cafes, a great weekend market and an interesting museum. Fishing trips can be arranged. 
VIEW TO WHITIANGA FROM A HILL ABOVE SIMPSONS BEACH....we were painting the KIWI you can see from the road!...-> Whitianga Accommodation Holidays in New Zealand are about the beach....and the Coromandel generally attracts large numbers over summer.Whitianga caters for these holiday makers with a wide range of accommodation from Hotels, Motels, B&B’s,baches to rent, apartments, backpackers and camping. 3-4 kms further on at Simpsons Beach there is free camping on private beachside land for fully self contained motorhomes. You may prefer to camp or stay in a holiday home or motel at anyone of the many other lovely beaches
Whitianga Activities You can
Hahei This is probably the most popular beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. Safe swimming with a beautiful coastline for kayaking, snorkelling, diving, fishing etc . There is a camping ground and cabins and a lovely old historic church restaurant that is a wonderful place for a meal. Cathedral Cove Next to Hahei is this very popular walk down through a bush track to an untouched pristine white sandy bay with the Cathedral...a natural rock arch the special feature. New Chums Beach New Chums Beach is the location for some of the filming of the Narnia movies.This totally unspoilt stretch of sand was rated by the Observer as one of the "Top 20 Beaches in the World". Accessed from Whangapoua Beach it is a 30-40minute walk......but well worth the effort......a pristine gem awaits!
Hotwater Beach A "must see" for most tourists to the Coromandel Peninsula. Known for the natural boiling hot water that is found in one part of the beach, you will see the crowds in this one spot...... so won’t miss it! Dig a shallow hole in the sand on the edge of the sea so you can mix in some cold water.....wallow in your hole....bliss! Take a spade! NOTE: This is a dangerous swimming beach. Do not swim here if there is no life guard on duty and you are not a very strong swimmer. Personally I recommend going to any of the nearby safe swimming beaches.
Only a 5 minute drive from Ferry Landing this is an excellent family beach for swimming, snorkelling, etc There is a walkway from Cooks Beach along Shakespeare Cliffs. Matarangi This is the place for some golf. Another lovely beach with huge development with holiday houses set amongst pine trees in a unique camping ground atmosphere. No camping ground. Tairua You take the alternative route to the Coromandel Peninsular through Tairua....this is another nice beach location...with a harbour and estuary making it a good family spot for swimming, kayaking, fishing etc If you are passing through it is a good stop for coffee at one of the cafes and you should at least go up Paku Hill for some magnificent views across to Pauanui.
Tairua Walks There are several nice walks around Tairua including Sailors Grave – 8 kms north of Tairua this 2 hour tramp takes you to the historic Sailors Grave from Otara Bay or you can drive closer via Sailors Grave Road to Pohutakawa Grove Reserve. Twin Kauri Track – a 30 minute walk just north of Tairua Pauanui Pauanui is a distinctive modern beach resort town on the Coromandel Peninsula specially designed as a place for holiday homes with wide red roads and canals. With yet another of the lovely white sand beaches and views across the Harbour to Tairua this is a popular holiday destination. Whangamata Another Coromandel Peninsula hotspot, where local New Zealanders love to holiday or have holiday homes or baches as we call them. A surf beach......... Whangamata is one of the main Coromandel Peninsula beaches attracting surfies and good for swimming, snorkelling, diving and kayaking.A good range of accommodation and cafes and restaurants are available.
Coromandel Peninsula to Holidays in New Zealand-Home
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