Coromandel Peninsula

The jagged, volcanic hills of the Coromandel Peninsula have maintained much of their original rainforest and many giant kauri trees. Providing a host of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails, the peaks form the perfect vantage point from which to admire the region's spectacular coastline. The eastern coastline boasts magnificent, white sand beaches and plenty of surfing spots. On the western side, coves, harbours, secluded bays and coastal villages are abundantly decorated with the red flowering native, the pohutukawa tree, giving a festive flavour to the coastline over the summer months. Many of the towns in the region reflect a relaxed, country lifestyle, with colonial architecture, and are home to many artists, inspired by the natural beauty of their surrounds.

Once the site of a gold rush, relics of the era remain at Thames, the gateway to the Coromandel. Take a tour of a working mine at the Goldmine and Stamper Battery, and explore the School of Mines and Museum, a unique mineralogical collection. A scenic ride into the forest on the narrow gauge, Driving Creek Railway, also visits the site where gold was first discovered on the Coromandel Peninsula in 1852. The region has a rich Maori history and many ancient village sites. Its logging heritage is demonstrated at the Tarawaere Dam, a one third scale, working replica of an authentic logging dam.

Visit the pink, sandy beach at Cathedral Cove - named due to the large, natural, rock archway framing the beach. During the two hours either side of low tide, dig in the sand at Hot Water Beach to make your very own spa.

Special Events
January
Tairua Wine and Food Festival
Whangamata Summer Festival
Gypsy Fair Original
Export Gold Summer Surfing Series
February
Paeroa Highland Tattoo
V8 Show and Swap Meet
Battle of the Street (motorbike race)
March
Game Fishing Classic