Coromandel is the name of a town and harbour on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula, 75 kilometres east of the city of Auckland (however the road from Auckland to Coromandel is 190 km long). The peninsula was named after HMS Coromandel, which sailed into the harbour in 1820. At one time it was a major port serving the peninsula's gold mining and kauri tree industries. Today, the main industries are tourism and mussel farming.

Coromandel's Record Breaking

• Coromandel Forest Park has walks through the tallest tree ferns in the world.
• Evidence of some of the earliest Polynesian settlement in New Zealand exists on the Coromandel. The two great navigators; maori Kupe and Captain Cook also came here.
• Captain Cook visited the area in 1769 and observed the transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun hence the names of some of the region's beaches and bays - Mercury Bay and Cook's Beach.

Local Knowledge

The Coromandel is a rich and colourful creative hub with many studios and galleries showcasing some of New Zealand's most talented artists’ work.

Getting Around

The easiest way to get to Coromandel is via ferry from Auckland. An interesting alternative is to hire a yacht and sail around the Coromandel Peninsula. There is a bus and taxi service but your own car is more efficient.

Regional Attractions Accessible From The Coromandel

• Auckland is the closest centre to The Coromandel.
• The biggest town in the Coromandel is Thames which has many leftover relics from its Gold Mining days. There are also many smaller towns dotted around the region such as Coromandel, Whangamata, Waihi and Tairua.

Best Views

The Orakawa Walkway is relatively short walk takes you from the northern end of Waihi Beach to beautiful, secluded Orokawa Bay past spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Waihi Beach.

Best Months

The best time to visit the Coromandel Peninsula is in the summer but out of school holidays, when many locals from Auckland visit. Temperatures and rainfall is very similar to the Auckland weather with an average annual rainfall of 1400mm.

Clothing

The Coromandel Peninsula is setup for casual beach and walking activities, so a casual wardrobe to match is in order, including those New Zealand "togs" (swimmers).

Shopping

Coromandel town displays lots of quality original art work. Most galleries can arrange international shipping.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 09
Population: 26,700 (2005)
Summer Average Maximum Temperature: 22°
Winter Average Maximum Temperature: 13°
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Activities in Coromandel

This list will assist you in accessing all the natural and man-made visitor attractions and activities that Coromandel has to offer.

	Cathedral Cove A 20 minute walk, or a guided kayaking trip, will bring you to the white sands and arches of Cathedral Cove - an extremely large cave on the shore. It’s an idyllic place to swim, snorkel, picnic or simply relax under the pohutukawa trees (red flowers in summer).
	Hot Water Beach This beach lives up to its name. For two hours either side of low tide, you can create your own hot pool by digging into the sands. The hot spring bubbling up through the sand is the legacy of an exciting volcanic past.
	Whitianga Located on the east coast of the Coromandel, Mercury Bay's main town of Whitianga has attracted visitors for more than a thousand years, since Maori explorer Kupe first settled here around 950A.D. Now an established tourist resort, the Bay's spectacular coastline is dotted with islands and its relatively sheltered waters are perfect for all water sports. There are a large range of activities to enjoy.
	Whangamata Whangamata's amazing ocean beach has great surf breaks, yet the safest swimming in the country. Big game fishing tours can be arranged. The Coromandel Forest Park & Tairua Forest offer short walks, mountain bike trails and old gold mining sites. The town Whangamata has a variety of arts, sculpture, painting, weaving and pottery and the classic kiwi beach holiday.
	Tairua & Pauanui Twin harbour towns Tairua (the elder farming community) & Pauanui (the new holiday resort) offer a superb setting beside the Pacific Ocean. Close by is Paku, a twin-coned Maori pa sculptured hillside that was once an island. Islands offshore are called Slipper, Shoe and Alderman Islands. The internationally acclaimed Puka Park Resort is nearby.
	The 309 Road The 309 road is a narrow winding gravel road between Whitianga and Coromandel Town. It is very scenic; it follows the Mahakirau stream going through farmland, scrub, and native bush. Once over the summit (306 metres) it meanders down the Waiau Valley, through more bush and pine forest. Tracks on the way go to the Waiau Falls & the "309 Kauris" trees.
	Buffalo Beach Named after the H.M.S. Buffalo wrecked here in 1840, this beach offers safe swimming, plus good fishing and shellfish collecting. Further north is Wharekaho Beach, where the areas main Maori Pa was located.
	Mercury Bay Museum Located in the old Dairy Factory, the museum offers fascinating relics from the areas past.
	Matarangi A purpose-built, resort town offering 4.5km of beautiful beach and safe swimming. Amenities include a golf course, tennis, boat ramp, airfield and dairy.
	Whitianga Wharf The centre for boating and fishing activity, where you can take the passenger Ferry to Ferry Landing and Flaxmill Bay or the shuttle to Cooks beach, Hahei, Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove.
	Mercury Bay Needle Rock, Mercury Bay is similar but smaller, to the famous "Hole in the Rock" at the Bay of Islands. It can be reached by chartering a boat from Whitianga Wharf. The area is known as the "Hole in the Wall".
	Kuaotunu Once a thriving gold mining town, this area offers a good beach, fishing and access - via the famous Black Jack Road - to the picturesque white sand beaches of Otama and Opito.
	Hahei From the lookout of this attractive beach (named after the Maori Chief Hei) there is access to Cathedral Cove and the Marine Reserve.
	Cooks Beach Flanked by Shakespeare Cliff to the west and the picnic spot of Purangi River to the East, this is a popular visitor destination.
	Driving Creek Railway Driving Creek Railway is a 1 hour return trip on our innovatively designed trains takes you through replanted native kauri forest and includes 2 spirals, 3 short tunnels, 5 reversing points and several large viaducts as it climbs up to the mountain-top terminus.
	Kiwi Dundee Kiwi Dundee Adventures is internationally recognised as one of New Zealand's top guiding companies, offering visitors a variety of deluxe, small group, or private customised tours & walks in The Coromandel Peninsula & New Zealand wide. "We just love what we do! we enjoy sharing our knowledge, love,& passion for nature, & taking visitors to our favouite places in our spectacular country"

Diary of Events

Coach Tours Which Include Coromandel

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Coromandel.

Ultimate North Island 10 days in New Zealand's North Island from Auckland to Coromandel, via the Bay of Islands, gives varied activities such as a cruise to famous rocky coastal formations, a day with renowned naturalist Kiwi Dundee or his 3 protégées for a walk through fern groves and glow-worm studded gold mine, the thrill of sailing on a 12m yacht on Auckland Harbour, the sights and smells of Rotorua's thermal wonderland, Rainbow Springs Trout Farm, a Maori Hangi, the thunderous Huka Falls, and New Zealand's capital city, Coromandel.

Ultimate New Zealand Departing Auckland for Christchurch, this 20 day fully escorted guided coach tour includes a refreshing 3 day trek along Greenstone Valley for untouched, stunning scenery. Reward for this effort is a special overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner as it navigates to the hidden Fiordland chasms. City tours of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin & Christchurch orientate with style, whilst natural attractions like Rotorua's geysers and hot mud, Huka Falls, Mt Cook and the stunning West Coast Glaciers are sure to impress. A Maori Hangi, a Scottish Haggis, a winery visit, dinner at the Skyline Restaurant in Queenstown and working fruit orchards will satisfy the gourmets.

Ultimate TranzAlpine North One of the highlights of this 11 day Auckland to Christchurch, fully escorted, coach tour, is the day spent with Kiwi Dundee, a naturalist of world renowned, as he or his 3 protégées take us on a walk through the lush fern groves and gold mine studded with glow-worms. Another highlight is the Abel Tasman National Park and a 2 hour walk along the pristine coastline. Take the TranzAlpine Train, enjoy city tours of Auckland, Wellington & Nelson, visit various museums, and see jade being carved, take the Rotorua Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride, enjoy the thermal wonderland and the heavenly Huka Falls.

Films Made in this Region

The following films were made in the Coromandel area: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 2008, Crooked Earth 2000, Lost Valley 1998, Second Time Lucky 1984, and The Scarecrow 1982.

Eating & Sleeping

Cuisine

Most cafes and restaurants on the Coromandel Peninsula are casual but with fresh seafood and local produce.

Regional Specialties

Perched on the harbour, on the western side of the peninsula, Coromandel town has mussels and oysters that will make your mouth water, all located just a 1.5 hour drive southeast of Auckland. Macadamia nuts are also grown in the area.