174 km from Thames to Whangamata. State Highway 25A is the east coast, and State Highway 25 is the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Explore picturesque beaches within 10 km of Thames as you are driving north. Wander among the driftwood as you walk along the beach. Admire impromptu driftwood sculptures, peer into rock pools and sit under enormous pohutukawa trees leaning drunkenly into the calm water of the Firth of Thames.
Coroglen Detour Road 309 — an authentic road trip dissecting the Coromandel Peninsula with a waterfalls, gorgeous gardens, swimming holes and awesome grove of ancient kauri forest giants.
COROMANDEL TOWN. The drive from Thames follows the narrow winding coastal road past small settlements, pohutukawa trees and sandy coves to the Victorian era Coromandel Town. the town offers seafood treats, bush walks, heritage trails and beaches to laze away the day on. Coromandel Town is a gem worth the detour.
Coromandel Town Driving Creek Pottery is an artistic hub creation of the late Barry Brickell and ziplining through regenerating native forest. Awesome fun with a gallery stocked with local creative pieces.
Coromandel School of Mines Historical Museum. A windfall collection for lovers of vintage photographs, artefacts and memorabilia from the mid 19th century onwards. Coromandel Town’s heritage of Maori settlement, extraction industry from kauri trees to gold mining and the present fishing and shellfish industry is aptly told. Check opening hours beforehand as the museum is staffed by volunteers.
Follow the road to Colville and Port Jackson – A DETOUR.
Colville is a one way road to Port Jackson and the Coromandel Coastal Walkway. The narrow winding coastal road is sealed until Colville. Past Colville the road fords streams and passes isolated beaches until it reaches Fletcher Bay at the top of the Peninsula. Colville is a place that beguiles you into staying longer as you relax into a place where mobile reception is spotty and people take time to find out what you are looking for
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Pay your respects to the Tibetan stupa (shrine) sitting in the grounds of the Mahamudra retreat centre, near Colville in the Coromandel. mahamudra is a Tibetan Buddhist centre
Coromandel Coastal Walkway – A DETOUR
Walk or mountain bike between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay. One of the best coastal walks in New Zealand. Discover beautiful beaches, outstanding off the beaten track scenery and glimmering reflections on the blue coastal water. You cannot get lost as there is effectively one road in and out, it’s no exit.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COROMANDEL COASTAL WALKWAY
LENGTH 10km (one way)
START/FINISH Coromandel town (Colville) Fletcher Bay / Port Charles Rd (Stony Bay)
Coromandel Peninsula, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier creative hubs has artists who offer workshops for where your creative side is explored. From photography weekends to pottery and flax the materials used are diverse. The Coromandel Peninsula, with its foodie destinations, phenomenal scenery from Cathedral Cove through to New Chums beach is where the soul is revived, refreshed and the spirit uplifted.
NEW CHUMS BEACH has been voted in the top 10 beaches to visit in the world especially for the romantic at heart. One of the world’s top favourites especially with photographers.
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Beauty means you have to walk there. There is no road access and it’s likely the mobile coverage is poor.
GETTING THERE, check details HERE
The protected stretch of untouched land has no buildings, no roads, no infrastructure or camping – it is a jewel in New Zealand’s coastal crown.
Whangapoua and adjacent New Chums Beach (Wainuiototo Bay) have some serious and well deserved beach pulling power for domestic and international visitors alike. New Chums Beach has been voted in the top 10 beaches to visit in the world, and Whangapoua Beach, with its ready access is a strong contender in the beautiful beach stakes
Beaches, hidden gems KUAOTUNU is a lazy stretch of 10 km of beach, rock pools and estuary. The Black Jack Reserve a visitor hot spot for its grassy picnic location shaded pohutukawa trees and nearby estuary suitable for toddlers to safely paddle (with adult supervision). Kuaotunu is home to the well known pizza eatery, Luke’s Kitchen
WANT TO STAY AWHILE IN THE COROMANDEL?
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Whitianga is a classic summer beach escape destination, an artist enclave with galleries and exhibitions, cafes and restaurants for the urban weekender.
Beaches for lazy afternoons, snorkelling adventures, kayaking and water skiing, big game fishing or throwing a line from the wharf.
Walks along coastal headlands with quintessential New Zealand scenery around every corner.
Whitianga Sea Temperature, check if warm enough for a dip. If not, enjoy a walk on a picturesque beach
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The Coromandel Peninsula is awash with sandy coves, bays and inlets. There are numerous places to pick and choose. The problem is choosing which beach works for your family, paddling in shallow waters or plunging into a surf beach. Well known favourites and beach pageant beauty winners Cathedral Cove and Hot Water beach have many contenders scroll through your options and give some of the Coromandel’s lesser known beaches a go
Tairua Ocean beach is where foiling windsurfers challenge the elements. In contrast is the quiet flow of the estuary with kids learning to fish off the wharf and a marina with glorious views…
Read more about What’s so great about Tairua
From Tairua you are now leaving the Coromandel Peninsula and entering the scenic Karangahake Gorge & Waikino Gold Mining Area.
The tumbling river below and the regenerating bush should tempt you to stop and explore. The rich history and charm of the cycling trails and short walks is stunning. A place where goldminers found the most lucrative strikes in New Zealand’s history is fascinating. Karangahake Gorge, part of the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park is definitely worth a detour.
WINDOWS WALK, KARANGAHAKE GORGE
This is perhaps the most popular walk due to the scenery, visible mining remnants and a disused gold mining tunnel. An outdoor adventure for kids. The walk starts in the Karangahake Reserve car park. The track is clearly signposted. You start by crossing both the Ohinemuri River suspension bridge and shortly afterwards the Lower Waitawheta Gorge bridge. You will view signs to the Crown Tramway Track which is an alternative short walk.
10 reasons to visit Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park & Karangahake Gorge – Best Bits
Owharoa Falls features in the TOP TEN WATERFALLS IN THE NORTH ISLAND. Owharoa falls is located in the Karangahake Gorge Cascading three tiered drops and glorious scenery make this a highlight on the waterfall circuit. Karangahake Gorge, part of the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park is beautiful.
Waihi and Paeroa are fascinating with detours into gold mining history, the only active gold mine in the country and it has visitor tours, quirky shops and a spectacular forest on its doorstep. There is a vibrant cultural scene with a perfect art gallery in Waihi to potter. Pahi is home to a well regarded local research centre largely managed by volunteers who assiduously ensure the past is recorded, the environment is documented and you know what your neighbours did. Definitely worth a day or two exploring the district.
WHERE IS PAEROA?
On State Highway two
Waihi to Paeroa is a mere 20 minutes.
Standing at 7 metres and 1.3 metres girth you can’t miss the next big thing in Paeroa. The next big thing used to be manufactured locally. Lemon & Paeroa, also known as L&P, created in 1907, it was traditionally made by combining lemon juice with carbonated mineral water from the town of Paeroa, but is now owned and manufactured by multinational Coca-Cola. now owned by Lemon & Paeroa (Wikipedia).
You are now in the BAY OF PLENTY and the next section of the Pacific Coast Highway Discovery Road Trip. From Waihi to Waihi Beach is 9 km.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.
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