Coromandel Peninsula

Best arrival airport

Auckland Airport (AKL) — domestic & international gateway; continue by road

Getting around

A car is strongly recommended; public transport around the peninsula is limited

Typical transfer

AKL to Whitianga: about 2 hr 30 min

Driving Creek Railway

From the centre: 3 km • about 5 min drive from Coromandel Town centre

Visit information: Open daily 9 AM–4:30 PM except Christmas Day; railway and zipline experiences require timed bookings

A narrow-gauge mountain railway through regenerating forest, created alongside a pottery and conservation project.

Waiau Kauri Grove

From the centre: 8 km • about 10–15 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Daylight access subject to DOC alerts; use every kauri-cleaning station and remain on track

A short forest walk from the 309 Road to mature kauri and a nearby waterfall viewpoint.

Rapaura Watergardens

From the centre: About 13 km • roughly 20 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Open on the current seasonal timetable; check the operator page before the drive

A privately operated garden north of Thames featuring ponds, native bush, sculpture and a waterfall walk.

New Chums Beach

From the centre: About 43 km • roughly 45 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Visit in daylight and suitable tide/weather; no facilities, limited parking and an unbridged stream crossing

An undeveloped beach reached on foot from Whangapoua across rocks and a forest track.

The Lost Spring

From the centre: About 55 km • roughly 55–65 min drive to Whitianga

Visit information: Open on published session times; advance booking recommended and age restrictions apply to some periods

A landscaped geothermal pool and spa complex in Whitianga offering booked bathing and treatments.

Thames heritage area

From the centre: About 55 km • roughly 55 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Public streets open daily; museums and heritage interiors use individual hours

Historic streets and buildings recalling Thames gold-mining history, with museums and local shops.

Kauaeranga Valley

From the centre: About 55 km • roughly 55 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Road, gates, campsites and tracks are subject to weather and DOC alerts

A DOC-managed forest valley near Thames with campsites, swimming areas and access to the Pinnacles.

The Pinnacles

From the centre: About 55 km • roughly 1 hr to the Kauaeranga trail area

Visit information: Check DOC weather, track and road alerts; hut stays require booking and summit ladders can be hazardous

A demanding Kauaeranga Valley climb to a steep summit viewpoint, commonly completed as a long day or hut trip.

Shakespeare Cliff

From the centre: About 62 km • roughly 1 hr drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Open during daylight subject to reserve and road conditions

A coastal reserve lookout above Cooks Beach and Mercury Bay with short walking tracks.

Tairua

From the centre: About 70 km • roughly 1 hr 10 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Town accessible daily; tracks, beaches and businesses use separate conditions and hours

A harbour and beach town overlooked by volcanic Mount Paku, useful as an eastern Coromandel base.

Karangahake Gorge

From the centre: About 75 km • roughly 1 hr 10 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Tracks open subject to DOC alerts, flooding and slips; carry a light for tunnels

A historic mining gorge with river walks, tunnels and rail-trail connections between Paeroa and Waihī.

Coromandel Coastal Walkway

From the centre: About 52 km • roughly 1 hr 15 min on winding roads from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Daylight access subject to track, road and farm conditions; arrange transport because road sections are slow and partly unsealed

A remote coastal track near the northern peninsula with farmland, cliffs and views toward offshore islands.

Cathedral Cove

From the centre: About 75 km • roughly 1 hr 20 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Daylight access subject to DOC alerts, weather and track capacity; check the exact DOC page before departure

A famous coastal arch and beach in Te Whanganui-o-Hei Marine Reserve, reached by the current walking route or by water.

Cooks Beach

From the centre: About 72 km • roughly 1 hr 15 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Beach open at all times; check swimming and marine conditions

A sheltered sandy beach settlement on Mercury Bay, close to Shakespeare Cliff and Ferry Landing.

Hahei Beach

From the centre: About 75 km • roughly 1 hr 15 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Beach open daily; parking and visitor access arrangements change seasonally

A sandy beach and marine-reserve gateway used for swimming, kayaking and Cathedral Cove access.

Pauanui

From the centre: About 80 km • roughly 1 hr 20 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Public beaches and reserves accessible daily; tides affect estuary activities

A planned beach town beside the Tairua Harbour with an ocean beach, estuary and walking tracks.

Hot Water Beach

From the centre: About 78 km • roughly 1 hr 20 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Hot pools are normally possible about two hours either side of low tide; check tides and surf safety

An ocean beach where geothermal water can be reached by digging in a small marked area of sand.

Opito Bay

From the centre: About 83 km • roughly 1 hr 25 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Daylight visits recommended; access road is winding and conditions can change

A remote white-sand bay north of Kūaotunu with swimming, coastal views and limited facilities.

Whangamatā Beach

From the centre: About 100 km • roughly 1 hr 35 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Beach open at all times; swim between flags during patrols and check surf conditions

A long surf beach beside Whangamatā township, popular for swimming, surfing and coastal walks.

Wentworth Valley

From the centre: About 110 km • roughly 1 hr 45 min drive from Coromandel Town

Visit information: Daylight track access subject to DOC alerts; campground booking and gate rules apply

A forest valley near Whangamatā with a DOC campsite and walking track to Wentworth Falls.

The Pour House

A casual Hahei brewpub serving house beer, pizza and pub-style meals near Cathedral Cove.

Luke’s Kitchen

A relaxed Kūaotunu waterfront eatery known for wood-fired pizza, seafood and a beachside setting.

Pepper Tree Restaurant

A Coromandel Town restaurant serving local seafood and contemporary New Zealand food in a historic setting.

Blue Ginger

A casual Whitianga restaurant serving Asian-inspired dishes and shared plates.

Salt Restaurant

A Whitianga marina restaurant serving seafood and modern New Zealand dishes.

Hot Water Beach TOP 10

A full-service holiday park about 700 metres from Hot Water Beach with powered sites and family facilities.

Tasman Holiday Parks - Hahei Beach

A useful tasman holiday parks - hahei beach option to include while planning your visit.

Shelly Beach TOP 10

A beachfront holiday park north of Coromandel Town with powered sites, cabins and family recreation.

Coromandel TOP 10

A central Coromandel Town holiday park offering powered sites and accommodation.