Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel is a popular weekend destination for the people of Auckland. If the weather is bad it can be really wet but if the sun comes out the ranges that run down the peninsula are a spectacular sight rising from the deep blue sea.
Four roads connecting the two coasts of the Coromandel, crossing the ranges.
www.thecoromandel.com
www.thepacificcoast.co.nz
Thames
The main gateway to the Coromandel was the base for the goldrush at the nearby Kuranui stream. The population rise to 18,000 during that time.
The friendly info provides information about the peninsula as well as a brochure of the Urban Heritage Trail describing some fine old buildings around the town.
Goldmine Experience
Relicts of the gold mining time.
Thames School of Mines and Mineralogical Museum
corner of Cochrane and Brown street
Kaueranga Valley
Once there were plenty of Kauri trees around the peninsula but just a few remain today. More than 70 dams were built to bring down the large trunks. Today you have more than 20 walking tracks around the valley to choose from.
The DoC visitor centre 15km from Thames has information about the logging and all the walks. There is a campground to stay overnight.
20 min return - easy
Walk to a one-third scale working replica of Tarawaere Dam.
Tapu to Coroglen
This 29km gravel road is one of the four roads crossing the Coromandel Range.
Rapaura WatergardensA walk through native bush brings you to the cascading waterfalls known as "The Seven Stairs to Heaven".
Square KauriA short walk leads to an unusual shaped Kauri tree.
Between Kereta and Manaia
The steep climb up the hill provides great views over the Manaia Harbour.
309 Road
The narrow and winding gravel road crosses the range between Coromandel and Whitianga. It's a scenic drive from just above sea level up to 306 metres and back down to the sea.
Waiau Waterworks (4.7 km)
If you start from the Coromandel end of the road you will find the garden of light-hearted entertainment after 4.7 km. Lot of things are worked by water.
Castle Rock
1,5 hours return - easy, although the last bit is a scramble up
Start: Leave the 309 just behind Waiau Waterworks and drive for about 2km.
The walk to the core of an extinct volcano which gives a great panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Waiau Falls
15 min return - easy
Start: 7.3km from Coromandel end of the road, just beside the road, there is a small carpark.
Kauri Grove
10 min return for the walk but allow more to learn about the magnificent trees - easy
Start: 7.9km from Coromandel end of the road at the car park.
The walk leads around a long protected group of Kauri trees. Displays explain more about the trees.
Coromandel Town
Named after HMS Coromandel, a ship to transport Kauri timber has a history as a harbour for timber as well as a goldmining township. During the first goldrush in New Zealand the population of the town was ten times higher than today.
Restored heritage architecture tells from the pioneering days.
The Information is located at Kapanga Road.
Mineralogical displays in the original School of mines. There is also New Zealand's firs jailhouse.
Driving Creek Railway
3km north of Coromandel Town
The train runs twice daily to a viewing platform.
Colville and up the Cape Road
The small settlement of Colville is some 27km north of Coromandel Town. The road past many bays on the west side of the peninsula.
If you want to reach the cape, prepare for winding 35 kilometers of road. There are some campgrounds on the way.
Mercury Bay
James Cook observed the transit of planet Mercury here in 1769 and named the Bay after the planet.
www.whitianga.co.nz
www.thecoromandel.com
www.pacificcoast.co.nz
Whitianga is the main settlement in the bay. The visitor centre is located on the main street
Mercury Bay Historical Museum
The museum - opposite the wharf - describes the long Maori and European history in this area dating back to the year 800 AD.
Wharf and passenger ferryA passenger ferry starts the short trip across the narrows to Ferry Landing - the original site of the township. With a car you need to do a detour around the inlet. The old stone wharf at the Landing is one of the oldest in New Zealand and was built in 1837. A walk leads to a Pa site at the top of the hill with nice views. There are some fine beaches within walkingdistance from the landing.
Beaches
There are several beaches around the bay, best known of course is the Hot Water Beach near Hahei.
Buffalo BeachWith a length of 4km the main beach in Whitianga, named after a ship wrecked here in 1840 - safe swimming.
Whangapoua/New Chums BaySurfing and swimming within a large harbour.
MatarangiA 4.5km white sandy beach with safe swimming.
KuaotunuRocky shore with 2km sandy beach.
Otama & Opito BayWhite sandy beaches good for swimming and surfcasting.
Wharekaho BayA sheltered good swimming beach.
Hot Water Beach
South of Hahei
Best time to visit is 2 hours either side of low tide. Dig your own pool and relax in the thermal water surfacing here.
Cathedral Cove
90 min return - moderate
Start at Hahei, visit the lookout and walk down to the Cove. It's possible to dive and snorkel but the main attraction of course is the rock arch at the southern end of the cove.
www.whitianga.co.nz/walks.html
Waihi
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Newmont Waihi GoldAn operating open pit mine producing over $1.5 million worth of gold and silver each week.
There is a viewing platform and the Golden Legacy Centre for more information.
