Coromandel Peninsula is located on North Island of New Zealand. This peninsula was formerly famous for its gold mining and kauri industries, but now it is a paradise for tourism. Renowned for its natural beauty, green pastures, misty rain-forests and pristine golden beaches, The Coromandel Peninsula is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways, making it an ideal place to escape. The peninsula features some of the most spectacular, serene and calm beaches of the World.

Inspiring Coromandel PeninsulaHow to get there?Coromandel peninsula is located within an hour and a half drive from Auckland and Hamilton and their airports. Once you are in Auckland or Hamilton, Intercity Coachline operate New Zealand’s national bus network with daily departures from Auckland. Tickets can be purchased online or throughout the country at numerous agents including the i-SITE network of tourist information centers. Once you reach here you can get around by bus, taxi and hiring your own car or bike. Moreover you can also hire a yacht and sail around the Coromandel Peninsula.Attractions and Activities in Coromandel PeninsulaThe Coromandel Peninsula has a small permanent population, but is a popular holiday destination year-round, and especially in summer. There are fabulous golden and white sand beaches with magnificent coastal scenery and a rugged, forest-clothed interior to be hiked. The peninsula, 85 km long, separates the Hauraki Gulf and the Auckland Region from the Bay of Plenty. Once , following are the must visit attractions and activities in this peninsula.Cook’s cornerThis long sandy beach which caught Capt Cook’s eye is an ideal place to unwind and explore beautiful Mercury Bay. Cooks Beach is flanked by Shakespeare Cliff to the west and sheltered and picturesque Purangi Estuary to the east. The area boasts some of NZ’s oldest history ” Capt James Cook sailed on the HMS Endeavor into Mercury Bay in 1769 and made anchor at Cooks Beach off Purangi. Strangely enough he had chosen the same bay that Kupe, the mythical Polynesian explorer had chosen when he first landed in New Zealand calling it Aotearoa.Sandy beaches of Front Beach & Flaxmill Bay providing a captivating walk along the water’s edge to Shakespeare Reserve. Bush tracks over the reserve lead to a vantage point with memorable views of Mercury Bay and where you can view the Cook Memorial. A highlight of the walk is the walk down to beautiful Lonely Bay ” an artist’s dream ” with its white sand of crushed shells and enormous limestone boulders! Like Capt Cooks once discovered, Cooks Beach is one of Coromandel Peninsula best kept secrets.

Cook Corner Coromandel PeninsulaPinnacle WalkPinnacles Walk, is the most popular walk in the area. It offers stunning views of the whole Coromandel Peninsula, as well as some dramatic views of some pinnacles. The track can be done in one day but is best enjoyed in two. The Pinnacles Hut is very well maintained by the Department Of Conservation and offers a stunning sunrise view.WhangamataWhangamata is the quintessential surfing town with sublime tourist activities and spots. Surf board manufacturing and retail surf shops provide all a surfer could need. Its world-class surf break and white sand beach is linked to the main street shops by a network of walkways which give the town a truly ‘beach’ feel. The Coromandel Forest Park and Tairua Forest bordering the town offer short walks, mountain bike trails and old gold mining sites to be explored.Whangamata also has one of the best shopping centers in the region, a unique café culture and a range of sporting facilities from golf  to a swimming pool that is the envy of many nearby communities. Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary lies one kilometer east from Whangamata Beach. The Wildlife Sanctuary has two small beaches in the center of the island’s collapsed blowhole. Due to the entry of the cove being via a single 40ft-high cave, it is recommended that you take a guided tour.Hot pools and art on every wallNo trip to the Coromandel peninsula would be complete without stopping off at Hot Water beach. The natural hot spring of Hot Water Beach is yet another example in New Zealand of the power of the earth beneath our feet. Located around a small rock formation on the beach is a pocket of hot water, which is exposed at low tide. Dig a trench to sit in the sand and regulate the temperature with the cold sea water. We recommend going at the low tide during the night where you can see glowworms in the walkway leading up to the beach. Plus, the beach will be less busy.

Hot Water BeachPaeroaWith many great antique stores to mooch through, Paeroa is the self-proclaimed Antiques Capital of New Zealand and home to the therapeutic spring water discovered in the 19th century. This water, mixed with lemon, was manufactured into New Zealand’s very first own natural soft drink: “Lemon and Paeroa” which made Paeroa “World Famous in New Zealand”.Expect friendly, helpful service and a warm welcome in Paeroa where a proactive local business community hosts numerous events throughout the year to make it an even more interesting visit. Paeroa is a great base for exploring The Coromandel, the Karangahake Gorge and the Hauraki Rail Trail.

PaeroaThe Karangahake GorgeThe whole Coromandel region is known for its mining history but the best place to embrace it is the Karangahake Gorge. Swing-bridges, tunnels, waterfalls, railways, rusty mining equipment: it has it all. The gorge is well worth a day of your gap year: a must visit for sure.Shorebird CoastShorebird Center is home to thousands of wrybill, a seabird unique to New Zealand. This true spectacle of nature is a must-see if you are spending a few days in the area. Nearby in the small town of Miranda, you can also find the great Miranda hot spring, a very cheap way to unwind from all this travel that you are doing.The Shorebird Coast is your entry and exit point from The Coromandel Peninsula when travelling to Auckland via Clevedon. The drive meanders through green pastures with expansive views of coast and marshland along the way. This coast is a stop off point for many thousands of migratory birds each year.Cathedral CoveThe northern end of Hahei beach features a one hour walking track that leads along the cliff top before descending to Cathedral Cove. Named for its magestic arched cavern that passes through a white rock headland to join two secluded coves, the cathedral-like arch gives the whole area an air of grandeur, while the sandy beach is framed by Pohutukawa trees, providing shade for a picnic. A little way off the beach at Cathedral Cove is a large pinnacle of pumice breccia rock known as ‘Te Hoho’. Over centuries this has been sculpted by wind and water. Cathedral Cove is a must-see on The Coromandel Peninsula.Chums BeachHidden away from the masses and rarely explored by Kiwis is the spectacular New Chum Beach, which ironically has been voted as one of the world’s top 10 beaches. The golden sand beach is bathed by unbelievably clear water and sheltered by thick native forest. New Chums Beach, located in the Wainuiototo Bay, is very easy to access in only a short drive and an even shorter 1km walk from the parking area. Be aware that it gets a bit busy in the summer so try to plan your visit during the week days.Fishing & DivingWith around 400km of coastline and over 100 offshore islands,The Coromandel Peninsula is one of New Zealand’s favorite marine  playgrounds. It boasts some of New Zealand’s best quality fishing within a relatively small area. With an East and West Coast, plenty of bays and islands for protection you can be sure you will find somewhere to fish, dive or snorkel. No matter what your interest whether it’s in surf casting from the beach, sitting among mussel farms, live baiting or heading further afield to chase that elusive game fish, The Coromandel offers plenty of choice.Ngatea Water GardensThe small town of Ngatea is a great rest stop on your way to or from the cities of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. Treat yourself to a picnic in the small Ngatea Water Gardens where water fountains made out of recycled materials and a whole lot of humour make for a surprisingly fun exhibit. It will only set you back 30 to 45 minutes on your journey.

Ngatea Water GardenCoastal Walkway/ Mountain BikingThe Coromandel Coastal Walkway traverses the remote northern-most point of the peninsula with spectacular vistas up the coast and over the Barrier Islands. At 10km in length, it is a 7 hour return walk, or use one of the local operators to walk end to end.Positioned between Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay’s in the Northern Coromandel, the starting point for the trail is entirely up to you. From Coromandel Town, follow Colville Road north for 31 km to Colville Bay. From there, take Port Jackson Road for 30 km to Fletcher Bay or Port Charles Road for 20 km to Stony Bay. It is recommended that local guides and transport providers are used to shuttle you between Coromandel Town and the start of the track. The Coromandel Coastal walkway is suitable for both walking and mountain bikingThese are just few highlights of Coromandel Peninsula. Filled with astounding natural wonders and enthralling activities, this spot is truly a best destination for your holidays.Hotels and RestaurantsIf you are planning to stay in open environment to enjoy open air and clear sky with millions stars, Department of Conservation provide Huts. You can check online pricing and advance booking of huts and lodges.There are many spectacular and top quality hotels around. If you are planning to stay in a Coromandel Peninsula and want a royal and grandeur experience, Sovereign Pier on the Waterways, Admiralty Lodge, Villa Toscana and Bayview at 91 are the top recommendations.If you are looking for quality food around, there are many restaurants nearby offering scrumptious foods including top rated Pepper Tree Restaurant and Bar, Coromandel Mussel Kitchen, Poivre & Sel and That Curry Place.Website: For more information about activities and attractions of Coromandel Peninsula, Visit the Official Website.
 Related PostCentral Park New YorkCastle of Nice, FranceOeschinen Lake SwitzerlandHyde Park London Abel Tasman National Park New ZealandTop Ten New Zealand Tourist Attractions