Renowned for its natural beauty – rural farmland, misty rainforests and pristine golden beaches, The Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to escape, relax and unwind.

This is a must do walk and one of the best on the Peninsula. The track is relatively easy, the bush is beautiful pristine rainforest, the lovely river babbles beside you during most of the walk and there is a waterfall to view at the end. 140 mins return trip.

Opoutere is a 5km long beautiful stretch of beach just 15 minutes north of Whangamata. Once you’ve parked your car you can take the quick 10 minute walk through the Pine Forest and out on to the beach or alternatively (tide dependant) you can take the harbour sandspit high tide access walk.

Luck at Last Mine – 7 kms north of Whangamata, just past the Onemana turnoff, turn left onto Taungatara Road and continue 3km along the road till just before the first concrete river crossing. Parking is on the right, and the track starts on the left. At first winding through a scrubby harvested forest landscape the initially unformed track soon descends to the old level carriage way bounded by native trees and the Wharekawa stream. Some 50-60 minutes from the car park the track leads over a bridge then to the right and, after a short distance to the first view of the battery site. Time: 2 hours return. Tip: Old mine workings can be dangerous – please take extreme care

27 kms north of Whangamata (opposite Prescotts Mobile Service Station at Hikuai) is a turnoff to the left that takes visitors to a Department of Conservation area called Broken Hills, part of the Puketui Valley. Broken Hills has a number of walking tracks of varying lengths in beautiful New Zealand bush. Once a thriving goldfield in the early 1900s there are relics of the gold mining past still in evidence, and these are easily accessible via a network of walking tracks in the area. It was also logged for kauri and only a few patches of unmodified forest remains today. The regenerating forest includes Towai, Manuka, Rewarewa, Fivefinger and Totara.
Directions: Visitors can access Broken Hills via Morrisons Road, which starts from opposite Prescotts Mobil service station. After 1km, just before crossing the Tairua River, turn left onto Puketui Road, Broken Hills is 6km along the unsealed road. The beautiful river gorge setting provides many opportunities for walking, swimming, canoeing, trout fishing, fossicking, rafting, bird watching, photography, picnicking and camping. Most tracks at Broken Hills are gravel but well formed. Maps of the tracks are placed around the area as a guide. DOC maps are available at the I-site.

Gem of the Boom Creek Walk – this walk takes you through the site of an old mining village. Little is left except an old jail, which is well worth a visit. (Check the walls and roof for those that make this their home) Directions: 300m before the Bridge Carpark, the track is signposted on the left. Time: 30 minutes return

Broken Hill Battery Walk – This track follows the old tramway that transported the unprocessed ore in the late 1800’s. Taking you to the Broken Hills Mine, a mine operating from 1896 to 1914.The rusting ironmongery seen on the path was once the blacksmith’s shop. Directions: Access is to the left of the Bridge Car park. Alternatively you can take the track to the right at the beginning of the Gem of the Boom Creek Walk. Time: 20 minutes Return

At the most popular bar in Whangamata you’ll wet more than your whistle, and you’ll need a sculptured fibreglass board to get there and a wetsuit for most of the year. The bar lies just offshore past the harbour entrance and its left-hand break provides some of the best surfing in New Zealand. Surf boards can be hired locally.

If you’re not into surfing then make sure you have a swim or walk part of our beautiful beach. At low tide you can walk across to Clarke Island (Hauturu). The smaller island to the right of Clarke is Whenuakura Island. The large island approx 10kms off shore is Mayor (Opuahau) Island

For surfing and kayak tours: www.surfsup.nz

For Pedal & Paddle Tours:  www.pedalandpaddle.co.nz

Hiking – if you are keen walkers (bird watchers etc) you may like us to organise a nature walk/tour for you. The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise of native forests and coastal scenery. By taking a nature walk you will be able to learn about our heritage and enjoy the opportunity to feel in touch with nature and the environment. These walks are provided by a local eco tour company Kiwi Dundee that has designed a variety of magical, informative nature tours and walks which are tailored to suit whatever age and level of fitness of our visitors. Please let us know if you would like further information and a booking to be made or alternatively look at their web site www.kiwidundee.co.nz

Whangamata is ideal for kayaking and the northern end of the sheltered Whangamata Harbour is best at high to mid tide. Also, at the southern end, the Otahu River can be paddled some way upstream. We have two single sea kayaks available for your use.

Cathedral Cove/Hahei – Arguably the most well known Coromandel destination is Cathedral Cove – a 40 minute scenic walk from Hahei. The surrounding marine reserve protects all marine life and features. Instead of walking down the fairly steep track (moderate fitness level required) consider taking The Hahei Explorer boat which takes in the coastal islands of the marine reserve, reefs, massive sea caves, and approach Cathedral Cove from the sea. Alternatively there’s a Glass Bottom boat trip from Hahei or Whitianga, a unique 2 hour adventure trip exploring the wonderful marine wildlife.

Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel town – NZ’s only narrow gauge mountain railway along with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary, blending into a natural bush setting. Trains depart at 10:15am and 2pm daily although during the summer additional trains run subject to demand. Bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment. Fares approx $23. The Railway is located in Coromandel town on Driving Creek Road 3km past the township

Waihi: Karangahake Gorge – There are several historic pathways where you will go back in time to the gold rush era of 1875 when the hills were staked out by men looking for gold. Martha Gold Mine – walk to the edge of Waihi’s huge open pit gold mine just a short walk from town. Regular tours available.

Coromandel Peninsula loop trip – This trip is possible in a day. Travel north to Whitianga, west to Coromandel town, south to Paeroa via Thames and east to Waihi, finishing with 30kms north back to Whangamata or vice versa. Trips to the far north of the Coromandel Peninsula (Colville, Port Jackson etc) require a little more time.

Fishing Trips – there are many options for fishing trips from Whangamata. You are generally assured of catching a variety of fish including Tarakihi, Snapper, Hapuka and even Marlin during the Big Game season of January and February. We recommend www.fishoncharters.co.nz

There is excellent scenic bouldering and rock climbing for experienced climbers at Te Ananui. To get there you go to the Peninsula Recreation Area which is signposted from the road to Onemana. A Visitor’s Guide to the Coromandel Peninsula has further details.

Not far from Whangamata there is a bike park with trails in the pine forest. Register at the Visitor Information Centre where you obtain a permit for $10 and get access details.