Coromandel is full of beautiful bays, you could easily spend all of your time on or in the water, whether that be boating, kayaking or swimming, it’s hard not to want to explore every inch of this paradise.
Coromandel is known for Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, here you’ll find plenty of other friendly tourists lapping up the sun and exploring some of New Zealand’s best spots, but there are plenty of other things to do in Coromandel and with this list of activities you’ll find something that will appeal to the whole family. Pin it, save it or print it out and you’re all set to go!
Pack your bags and explore the Coromandel Peninsula, you won’t want to leave.
Sights
Cathedral Cove – Cathedral Cove is beautiful with it’s white, powdery sand and turquoise waves rolling in. What’s more, this is the place where Narnia was filmed. Cathedral Cove is a marine reserve, which means it’s great for snorkelling. At Gem Stone Bay there are several buoys in the water with information panels explaining what you may see underwater. However, they are 50 – 150 meters away from the shore and there are big, slippery stones you have to pass to get to the water so this ones for the bigger kids. Stingray Bay is a little cove with white sand and it’s a lot less crowded than Cathedral Cove.
Parking is now closed off during summer due to too much congestion so you’ll either have to be dropped off, walk up or take the bus up from down the bottom, which runs regularly 9am-6pm. After being dropped off it’s a 5km, 1 hour and 30-minute return walk from the parking area. They have toilets at Cathedral Cove and I reckon you’ll think the view from them is pretty awesome.
Glass Bottom Boat, Cathedral Cove Cruise – go on a boat tour where you can appreciate both above and below the water.
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours – paddle through sea caves and interact with sea creatures.
Hahei Explorer – Go on an intimate encounter with Coromandel’s coastline (and it’s a stunner), visit the Cathedral Cove, experience the hidden blowhole at Big Bay and get up close with Coromandel’s marine life.
Donut Island (Whenuakura Island) – A slice of paradise. Kayak or SUP out to this little gem. This activity is weather permitting. To protect Donut Island please go with a certified guiding company, stay in the water (don’t step onto the island) and take nothing but photos.
Shorebird Coast – an excellent place to stop for some amazing bird watching. Find thousands of shorebirds here all year round, with the highest numbers being from January to March. The best time to view them is 2 hours either side of high tide.
Windborne Charters – Visit the remote and stunning Peachgrove Bay on Mercury Island. Enjoy a day of swimming and sailing on this beautiful 1928 sailboat. They also have other great destination options like Cathedral Cove, Devil’s Point, Pink Beach and the Hole in the Wall or how about a Sunset cruise, it’s up to you.
Walk
Karangahake Gorge – The one hour Windows Walk is nothing short of amazing. Every step will leave you in awe. Walk right beside the lovely river, over a bridge, through a 1-kilometre mining tunnel, past some foundations of stamper batteries and across old train tracks. It’s a short 45 minute, 3km loop walk. Bring a torch for the caves. For a longer walk, take the track up to the Dickey Flat campground, there’s a short tunnel and a great swimming hole by a small waterfall. Bring a torch and swimming togs. The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is suitable for riding if you’re keen bike riders.
Victoria Battery – If you enjoyed the Karangahake Gorge, you’ll also want to stop in here! Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll discover a huge part of gold mining history. Built in 1987, it was the largest ore processing plant for gold in Australasia at the time. It was able to crush 812 tonnes of ore a day.
Since it’s closure, it has now become a tourist attraction where you can wander through the broken concrete foundations and imagine the men hard at work and the sounds of the 24-hour thunderous pounding as they crushed ore that could be heard from as far as Waihi. Visit the museum, ride the tram (weather permitting) and go on an underground tunnel tour. These are only open on Wednesdays and Sundays, 10am-3pm and staffed by knowledgable volunteers. If you’re unable to make these times, still drop in to see the ruins. Give yourself an hour to do the loop walk.
Waiau Kauri Grove and Waterfalls – An easy 30-minute return walk amongst kauri trees and waterfall. A great opportunity for a cool swim in the hot sun.
Martha Mine Pit Rim Walkway (1 hr, 4km) – Walk or ride this easy track, beginning at the Cornish Pumphouse.
Mt Paku – Spectacular views of the Coromandel coast and great little walk to the top.
Owharoa Falls – short 10-minute walk to waterfalls, close to the Karangahake Gorge.
Advanced walks:
Castle Rock – a challenging climb to the top but you’ll be rewarded fully. It’s a steep 2km return, 40-90min, 521m summit. Views of both coasts, Whangapoua Peninsula and Mercury Islands to the east and Coromandel and the Firth of Thames to the west. Only recommended for the fit, teenagers or older. Currently closed.
Pinnacles – Walk the pinnacles, one of New Zealand’s top overnight walks. Beautiful mountain top ranges and views. Best seen at sunrise. This walk can be done with active older kids, with an overnight stop at the hut (and many snacks along the way).
Mount Pauanui – Steep and uneven track, recommended for people with reasonable fitness, it’s a 3-hour loop track. Stunning views of Pauanui.
Coromandel Coastal Walkway – walk from Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay. Easy walking track, 10km, 3.5 hours one way. There are several viewpoints of the coast and the Pacific Ocean along the way.
Bike
Whitianga Bike Park – there’s a BMX track, pump track, a dirt track and different bike tracks ranging in level, this bike park will be fun for the whole family. The Whitianga Bike Club trail guide is available from the Whitianga Information Office on Albert St if you want it.
Hauraki Rail Trail – This grade one trail is one of New Zealand’s easiest Great Rides and suitable for even the littlest of riders. There’s lots to see along the way.
Beaches
Hot Water Beach – Bring a spade and dig yourself a naturally warm pool while enjoying the rolling waves coming in. There are hot springs beneath the sand, providing you with nice warm water. If you’re going to go for a swim, just know that Hot Water Beach is known for rips – be safe in the water and everyone entering the water should know how to get out of a rip. Bring a spade or hire one from the local cafe.
A bucket can also be handy to scoop up cold water from the ocean if it gets too hot. Go at low tide. They have great toilet and shower facilities here. There is free and paid parking. To find out where the right spot to dig is, walk 100m from the parking, the spot is in front of the cliff. If you’re hungry, go check out the beachfront restaurant, Hotties. Amazing food and fantastic service. Otherwise, head over to the Hot Waves cafe just down the road.
New Chums Beach – Voted as one of the top ten beaches in New Zealand, this is one not to miss.
Opito Bay – safe swimming and clear water beach.
Opoutere Beach – beautiful beach
Te Karo Bay – good surf and beautiful beach
Whiritoa Beach – with white sand, crystal clear water and shaded by pohutukawa, this beach is a stunner.
Cooks beach and Lonely Bay – beautiful beaches, great for swimming and walking. For a great view, walk or drive to Shakespeare Cliff.
Ohemana:
- Pokohino Beach – A beautiful wee beach away from it all. You may be lucky and have the beach to yourself. It’s quite a drive, along unsealed roads and then down a 20 minute track.
- Onemana Secret Beach – A short and steep walk and worth every step. Enjoy this little paradise to yourself as hardly anyone comes here.
- Onemana Beach – A often quiet beach with just a few locals to share it with. Let the kids out to have a play on the playground, explore the beach, surf the waves, grab an ice cream from the local store or lunch at the cafe or go snorkelling near the rocks.
-
Waikawau Bay – long, sandy surf beach.
Swimming Spots
Puketui Valley: drive to Broken Hills, Puketui Valley and take your pick from several freshwater swimming holes and rocky shoreline picnic spots.
Wentworth Falls – enjoy the 50m waterfalls then go in for a refreshing dip in one of the small swimming holes. 10km, 2-hour walk.
Hoffman’s Pool – there’s a lovely swimming hole and it’s a great picnic spot.
Hot Pool
The Lost Spring Thermal Hot Pools – DATE NIGHT: Nestled in the heart of Whitianga, the hot pools of The Lost Spring are surrounded by the tropical and native New Zealand bush. Recline in the shade of the trees, soak in the water and forget your world for a day. Relax in the pools and be waited on by friendly staff. Wander through the crystal and amethyst caves and enjoy the abundant bird life in lush gardens. These pools are for 14 and over so it’ll make a great date night.
Miranda Hot Springs – enjoy a nice soak after seeing the Miranda Shorebird Coast.
Attractions
Gold Discovery Centre – take a look inside gold mining history.
The Waterworks – a theme park with a difference, The Waterworks is full of quirky contraptions and water powered inventions.
Driving Creek Railway – Barry Brickell, a rail enthusiast and potter, built this railway for his own use from 1975 to 1990, using it to carry clay from the top of the hill down to the bottom to be used for his pottery.
Whitianga Fun Zone and Adventure Park – argo rides, outdoor laser tag, paintball target shooting, kids quads, archery and soccer golf there’s heaps of fun to be had.
Blueberry Country – pick your own blueberries.
Stopovers
Tairua/Pauanui – great stopover. Explore bush trails through old gold mines and kayak or swim in the freshwater river. There’s a playground right beside the lake, let the kids splash in the lake, have a picnic or dine at one of the cafes and do one of the walking tracks.
L&P bottle, Paeroa – One of New Zealand’s most popular icons, you’ll most probably pass by this on your way to the Coromandel, drop in for a toilet break and grab a touristy shot.
We hope you find Coromandel just as fun as we have! There is a wide range of things to do in Coromandel, making it the perfect holiday destination.
