Coromandel Off The Beaten Path Tips by vtveen Top 5 Page for this destination

Kauaeranga Valley: hidden treasure

On SH 25,a couple of km's south of Thames, turn of to the left and you are on the Kauaeranga road. It brings you through typical Coromandel scenery: green native forest, tree ferns, a small river with a very old suspension bridge (take care), several fords, all surrounded by high hills.

In the DOC Visitor Centre you can get information and a map with a lot of (walking)tracks. Choose one to the top of a hill and enjoy the view from your private look-out. Because it is almost sure you will not see anybody else.

For us an unexpected experience.

Other Contact: www.doc.govt.nz/community

Road 309: 25 km's with 487 curves

First check your car rental agreement, because some companies don't allow you to drive the '309'. This gravel road connects Coromandel Town with Whitianga across the peninsula.

There are a couple of car parks, which allow visitors to make short walks in the bush. One track leads to the Waiau Falls, another will bring you to the kauri grove with just 'young ones' of 600 years (this walk takes about 10 minutes).

Tairua – Paku Hill

Tairua is a small village on the east side of Coromandel with a lovely beach, a lot of accommodation and restaurants. It is located rather close to other sights on Coromandel.

Very easy accessible from Tairua along Paku Drive is Paku Hill, an old volcanic cone and long time ago an island. From the car park at the end of the road is a steep climb of about 15 minutes to the summit.
Your reward is a breathtaking view. On one side the Pacific Ocean with some islands as Slipper, Shoe and Aldermen Islands and the rugged Coromandel coast; on the other side Pauanui and its sandspit, Tairua River and the skyline of the Coromandel Ranges.

Tairua is located on the east side of Coromandel Peninsula on highway 25.

Website: http://www.tairua.info

Thames

Coming from Auckland (as most visitors will do) Thames is the first town on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is also the ‘capital’ and the main shopping centre. The town has an interesting main street with some old buildings.

The city has a ‘gold history’ after gold was discovered in the year of 1867. Nowadays the Goldmine Experience is the number one tourist attraction in Thames. We did the guided tour trough a Stamper Battery and learned a lot about the way gold was made in the older days. There is also a (small) museum with photographs and a video presentation
(www.goldmine-experience.co.nz).

Thames is the gateway to explore the Kauaeranga Valley (see tip), with its dozens of tracks through the impressive scenery of the Coromandel. And off course starting point for the peninsula it self with the scenic drive along the Firth of Thames.

Website: http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz

Hahei Beach

Hahei is a small settlement a couple of km's from highway 25 between Whitianga and Tairua; just turn off at Whenuakite. The village has some accommodations, a camping, a shop and a café.

We liked the beach at Hahei very much. It is such a beauty with crystal clear water, more or less pink sand, fantastic views over the Pacific Ocean and a whole bunch of islands and some old pohutukawa's. During our visit (February) we were almost alone on this lovely beach.

If you are finished with swimming and sun bathing, Hahei is a good starting point for a visit to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach (see other tips).

Website: http://tour.thepeninsula.co.nz/cookscoast.htm

Opoutere - lovely beach

Driving on SH25 take the Opoutere turnoff (between Whangamata and Hikuai), after a couple of km's there is a car park. From the car park follow the track over the bridge and through a nice smelling pine forest. Suddenly you will stand on the dunes and reach a splendid beach: so quiet, so remote and with almost white sand.

Stroll along the water line and look for shells, seahorses and ...... much more.
At the end of the beach (to the south) is the Wharakawa Harbour Wildlife Reserve.

Return to the car park along the inlet.

Website: http://tour.thepeninsula.co.nz/opoutere.htm