".... little New Zealand ...." Top 5 Page for this destination Coromandel by vtveen

Coromandel Travel Guide: 165 reviews and 512 photos

Although number 5 on my New Zealand list, it is a great place to visit. I often call it 'little New Zealand', because you will find almost every kind of scenery from all over the country, except the real (high) mountains.

Coromandel is situated about 11/2 hours drive from Auckland and most tourists will come from this city. The first town on your way to the Coromandel is Thames, a former mining town. You still can take a look at an old gold mining complex.

Nearby Thames lies the Kauaeranga Valley, a hidden treasure with typical native bush and a lot of tracks. I would call it 'little Coromandel'.

The west coast, along the Firth of Thames, has a lot of splendid bays and everywhere along the winding road with great views are lots of (old) pohutukawa's. Oh, it must be so colourful in December with these flowering NZ-Christmas trees.

From Coromandel Town, a nice quiet town, take road nr. 309, to the east coast. It is a gravel road, winding and hilly. You are driving through green forests and along the road are several car parks. From one of them you can visit some kauri's and from another one a water fall.

The east coast has some excellent beaches. Whitianga with Buffalo Beach, try to stay in one of the accommodations on this beach. Not so well known is Tairua, with a lovely beach and Paku Hill with fantastic views.

By far the most beautiful beach of New Zealand is 'Cathedral Cove'. Not far away you will find 'Hot Water Beach', also a must see activity and Hahei Beach. Further to the south another lovely beach in Opoutere with almost white sand.

Pros and Cons

Pros:amazing scenery
In a nutshell:almost everything what you can find in New Zealand

Last visit to Coromandel: Mar 2004
Intro Updated Feb 5, 2007
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Reviews (10)

Tairua - view from Paku Hill - Coromandel

Tairua – Paku Hill Off The Beaten Path (6)

Tairua is a small village on the east side of Coromandel with a lovely beach, a lot of accommodation and restaurants. It... more travel advice

Thames Off The Beaten Path (6)

Coming from Auckland (as most visitors will do) Thames is the first town on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is also the... more travel advice

Hahei Beach Off The Beaten Path (6)

Hahei is a small settlement a couple of km's from highway 25 between Whitianga and Tairua; just turn off at Whenuakite.... more travel advice

Dangerous roads Warnings Or Dangers (1)

Coromandel has still a couple of 'dangerous' roads. Mostly gravel roads which are very winding, narrow and sometimes... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
With a 'private' beach

Things to Do (2)
See All almost burned my feet....

Comments (8)

BruceDunning Jan 1, 2011 at 1:47 PM Report Abuse

The beaches look appealing, and the one looks like you dig your hole and heat up. Great scenery pictures, and the comments you make enhance them.
angiebabe Jul 11, 2008 at 2:17 PM Report Abuse

As usual a lovely page showing NZ off in its impressive glory!Beautiful photos. My sister has a place here and visits often - lucky her!dont think Ive been to Cathedral Cove even once!
Colzy Aug 8, 2007 at 2:23 AM Report Abuse

I can't agree more about the beauty of the Coromandel - I even got married on the beach at Cathedral Cove! Cheers, Colleen
iandsmith Jul 9, 2007 at 5:24 AM Report Abuse

Nice stuff, very informative, keep up the good work.
pepples46 Jul 11, 2005 at 2:11 PM Report Abuse

fantastic intro pic Jaap...greta page here with good infos too
anders1975 Jul 5, 2005 at 6:06 AM Report Abuse

Nice pages on New Zealand and very inspiring! Thanks for sharing and thanks for your comment on the forum.
swings Jan 27, 2005 at 8:27 AM Report Abuse

Great tips and beautiful pics... especially at Piha! We had to miss these places, so we'll have to go back.... ;) w
Wann Dec 21, 2004 at 9:33 PM Report Abuse

Another nice page Jaap... you always have interesting story to say about place.. so much enjoy travel on your page. Coromandel is an interesting place as you said it is a little NZ..