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DRIVING TIMES & DISTANCES MUST DOS IN THE COROMANDEL HOT WATER CATHEDRAL THE PINNACLES BEACH COVE Tip: Stay overnight Thames Coromandel Town Whitianga Hahei/Hotwater Tairua Pauanui Whangamata Waihi Paeroa Visit at low tide Tip: Tip: Take a scenic to capture the KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME KMS TIME and take a spade to dig boat trip or kayak stunning sunrise Thames 54 1.00 89 1.20 72 1.10 49 0.45 51 0.45 59 0.55 54 0.45 33 0.30 your own hot pool to the Cove Coromandel Town 54 1.00 43 0.45 70 1.10 82 1.20 107 1.45 93 1.45 108 1.45 87 1.35 Whitianga 89 1.20 43 0.45 34 0.30 40 0.40 67 1.00 77 1.15 106 1.45 108 1.35 COASTAL HAURAKI RAIL KARANGAHAKE Hahei/Hotwater 72 1.10 70 1.10 34 0.30 20 0.20 45 0.45 56 0.55 85 1.30 87 1.20 WALKWAY TRAIL GORGE Tairua 49 0.45 82 1.20 40 0.40 20 0.20 25 0.25 36 0.35 66 1.10 68 1.00 Tip: Use a local Tip: Ride the Tip: Don’t forget your Pauanui 51 0.45 107 1.45 67 1.00 45 0.45 25 0.25 36 0.40 69 1.10 70 1.00 shuttle for drop off Goldfields train between torch, there’s lots of Whangamata 59 0.55 93 1.45 77 1.15 56 0.55 36 0.35 36 0.40 29 0.35 49 0.50 and pick ups Waihi and Waikino tunnels to explore Waihi 54 0.45 108 1.45 106 1.45 85 1.30 66 1.10 69 1.10 29 0.35 21 0.20 Paeroa 33 0.30 87 1.35 108 1.35 87 1.20 68 1.00 70 1.00 49 0.50 21 0.20 SEABIRD COAST NEW CHUM DONUT ISLAND Auckland 115 1.30 169 2.30 192 2.35 170 2.20 152 2.00 150 2.00 160 2.30 142 1.45 122 1.30 Tip: Visit Miranda Tip: Pack a picnic and Tip: Guided tours are Tauranga 116 1.35 168 2.35 167 2.30 145 2.15 126 2.00 152 2.00 89 1.20 60 0.50 78 1.05 Shorebird Centre, a make a day of it at the the best & safest way to mandatory stop for any Hamilton 102 1.20 154 2.20 181 2.35 160 2.10 137 2.00 137 1.50 126 1.50 92 1.15 72 0.55 beach experience the island NOTE: Driving times vary depending on the routes taken. Times have been based on the shortest. birdwatcher THE COROMANDEL There are many beautiful places in the world, only a few can be described as truly special. With a thousand natural hideaways to enjoy, gorgeous beaches, dramatic rainforests, friendly people and fantastic fresh food The Coromandel experience is truly unique and not to be missed. The Coromandel, New Zealanders’ favourite destination, is within an hour and a half drive of the major centres of Auckland and Hamilton and their International Airports, and yet the region is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Drive, sail or fly to The Coromandel and bunk down on nature’s doorstep while catching up with locals who love to show you why The Coromandel is good for your soul. CONTENTS Regional Map 2 Driving Times & Distances / Must Do’s 3 Our Towns 5-14 Our Region 15-28 Walks 29-34 On & Around the Water 35-42 Other Activities 43-50 Homegrown Cuisine 51-56 Tours & Transport 57-58 Accommodation 59-68 Events 69-72 Local Radio Stations 73 Cover Photo: The Pinnacles Back Cover Photo: Karangahake Gorge DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in preparing this publication, Destination Coromandel accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or the offers or details of operator listings. Prices, timetables and other details or terms of business may change without notice. Published Oct 2017. Destination Coromandel PO Box 592, Thames, New Zealand P 07 868 0017 F 07 868 5986 E [email protected] W www.thecoromandel.com THAMES Parawai Must Do’s H Walk The Pinnacles H Explore the Thames coastline while collecting fresh seafood H Fish & Chips and a Thames Coast sunset H Bike or walk the Thames Coastal Walkway H Visit the old gold mining sites H Hauraki Rail Trail Thames 5 The Coromandel The coastal town of Thames sits at the intersection of the plains and the mountains of The Coromandel. Steeped in goldmining history, it is now a convenient service hub for the region, minus any big city bustle. It is a ‘crafty’ town proud of its heritage and connected to the natural environment with an expansive bush wilderness as its backdrop and many delightful shops with local produce, art and friendly service. A former gold mining boom town that once produced gold by the tonne, it has proudly maintained its heritage buildings and has an operational gold stamper battery and original tunnels that exist now only to preserve a fascinating insight to the past. Nearby Kauaeranga Valley is the best place to seek out campgrounds and bush walks which can be done as day trips or by venturing further up The Coromandel ranges and staying overnight at the large hut owned and operated by the Department of Conservation. Follow the Thames Coast north to experience a stretch of Pohutukawa-fringed coastline interspersed with coastal villages, meditative and garden retreats, classic old dairies (corner shops) and other attractions awaiting those willing to take a more relaxed pace. 200 Mary Street, Thames THAMES Phone: +64 7 868 7284 i-SITE Visitor Centre www.thecormandel.com/thames www.thecoromandel.com COROMANDEL TOWN Kapa-nga Must Do’s H Long Bay Reserve H Castle Rock H Coromandel Coastal Walkway H Kauri Trees / Waterfalls H Walk the Heritage Trail H Drive or Cycle past the Oyster and Mussel farms Our Region The Coromandel 6 The Coromandel Historic Coromandel Town is a haven for talented artists and crafts people who have moved here from around the country - inspired not only by the tranquil atmosphere, but also by the spectacular natural surrounds. The village has a unique character, soul and ambience reflecting art, heritage and its cultural importance to Iwi. While it can be said that the journey is the destination – arrive by ferry after a stunning journey across the Hauraki Gulf from downtown Auckland or by road on the winding Pohutukawa coast from Coromandel Town Thames – Coromandel Town has much to offer. Homegrown cuisine is in abundance from its raw form, to elegantly cooked and served at the many local restaurants. The discovery of gold at Driving Creek in 1852 brought a boom to Coromandel Town, and the area has continued to flourish while retaining a rich stock of surviving heritage buildings. Coromandel Town is also the gateway to the north Coromandel’s isolated beaches, campgrounds, mountains and walking tracks. Kapanga Rd, Coromandel Town COROMANDEL TOWN Phone: +64 7 866 8598 Information Centre www.coromandeltown.co.nz www.thecoromandel.com WHITIANGA & MERCURY BAY Te Whitianga-a-Kupe Must Do’s H Cathedral Cove Walk H Natural Thermal Spa H Hot Water Beach H New Chum Beach H Scenic Cruises H Diving & Snorkelling H Kauri Groves Whitianga & Mercury Bay 7 The Coromandel Located on the east coast of The Coromandel, Mercury Bay is an area packed with spectacular scenery, coastline dotted with islands, walks, inlets, remote bays and beaches, thermal hot springs, a marine reserve and native birdlife. Its main town of Whitianga is short for Whitianga-o-Kupe (Kupe’s crossing place) after Kupe the explorer who visited Aotearoa (New Zealand) before the canoe migrations. Steeped in maritime history, Mercury Bay was also visited by the expert Polynesian navigator and high priest Tupaia with Captain James Cook, whose crew first sighted New Zealand from his ship the Endeavour in October 1769. It was on this first voyage that Cook visited Mercury Bay and named it to mark the place where his expedition observed the transit of the planet Mercury. The town of Whitianga is the main hub of Mercury Bay and has everything you may need to stock up on provisions before venturing out to explore the more remote and smaller coastal villages including Kuaotunu, Matarangi, Opito and Otama to the north and Hahei, Cooks Beach and Hot Water Beach to the south. Kayaking, diving, snorkelling, swimming and walking are perfect ways to explore the beauty of the area before enjoying the natural hot springs at Hot Water Beach and The Lost Spring thermal resort in Whitianga. 66 Albert Street, Whitianga WHITIANGA Phone 07 866 5555 i-SITE Visitor Centre www.whitiangainfo.co.nz www.thecoromandel.com TAIRUA Must Do’s H Deep sea fishing & diving H Kayaking on the shallow harbour H Walk the History Trail H Climb Mt Paku The Coromandel 8 Tairua and Pauanui on the Pacific Coast are excellent bases from which to explore the east coast and offshore islands, or the craggy mountainous Tairua backdrop to the west of these settlements. They also have a small but vibrant permanent population eager to accommodate visitors seeking that special brand of kiwi hospitality and local knowledge. Tairua is dominated by Mt Paku, which has a walk to the top affording 360° views of ocean, islands, harbour, mountains and the towns of Pauanui and Tairua.