Captivating Coastal Beauty
Coromandel Peninsula’s stunning bays, stunning cliffs, postcard-perfect beaches and marine preserves make for the ideal beach holiday destination. At Cathedral Cove you can take photographs of towering limestone cliffs while snorkeling marine preserves can lead to hidden sea caves and crashing waves – an experience unlike any other.
Enjoy relaxing at Lost Springs Spa, a geothermal mineral hot pool complex and day spa in Whitianga or taking in an aquatic experience at Miranda Hot Pools. Additionally, indulge in delicious food experiences including oysters and green-lipped mussels alongside wines and macadamia nuts – there’s sure to be something delicious waiting!
1. Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s premier attractions and for good reason: its breathtaking beach boasts a natural archway which makes this spot so appealing to photographers, tourists and locals alike.
To reach Cathedral Cove, begin your trek at Hahei beach’s northern end and follow an hour-long stroll that is easy to follow; although its trail becomes slightly more challenging as you near both bays, this walk should still be suitable for most fitness levels. While on this walk, be sure to stop at one or more of the other beaches that can be reached via short trails along this route as well.
Whitianga Beach offers an ideal place to unwind on the beach while working on your tan or getting some exercise through swimming or kayaking, or to meet with family and friends for some fun together. Kids especially will enjoy this beach with its lovely pinky golden hue caused by crushed fragments of seashells; for the truly adventurous among you there is also an exciting boat tour departing from Whitianga to discover this spectacular shore.
2. Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach, one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s stunning beaches, is world renowned for its distinctive features that set it apart from others. Situated on its east coast and home to two long beaches surrounded by bushy headlands and rocky coastlines – making this beach ideal for taking long baths while reading or swimming in its warm waters.
Make the beach your own thermal hot pool by visiting it two hours either side of low tide with a spade rented from the cafe – these warm waters were created millions of years ago by volcanic activity!
Hahei offers numerous accommodation options, with the Hahei Holiday Resort highly recommended as an ideal base from which to explore Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Tairua also provides plenty of accommodation close by offering more general facilities such as shops, restaurants and even a service station – making both destinations easily accessible!
3. Kauri Grove
This short walk with incredible rewards promises an extraordinary reward – this trek through regenerating forest and along an old coach road will lead you to an enthralling grove of majestic mature Kauri trees – one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s premier stands of mature Kauri and an iconic New Zealand experience! Don’t miss this incredible trek – one of New Zealand’s must-do walks!
The walk is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It follows a relatively flat track until reaching Kauri Grove and there are ample stops along the way to observe, stop and admire these magnificent trees! Their size alone is remarkable!
This ancient and beautiful grove of 13 massive kauri trees stands as one of the oldest and most majestic in New Zealand. Once upon a time these magnificent giants could be seen all across Coromandel Peninsula but, due to European greed and disregard for nature, were almost completely logged out – leaving only small pockets surviving today; such as this grove. Kauri trees held special meaning for Maori who saw them as protectors from forests as treasure.
4. Waiau Falls
The Coromandel Peninsula’s tropical climate makes it an attractive year-round travel destination, although summer brings pleasant temperatures and more people visiting than any other season. Still, with many beautiful beaches and scenic trails to discover it is definitely worth considering visiting at other times as well.
Waiau Falls is one of the simplest and most beautiful sights in the area, located off Road 309 just east of Waiau Island. Perfect for cooling off in summer heat waves, its plunge pool offers refreshing swims. Additionally, daredevils may even attempt jumping off its top – as long as it doesn’t exceed certain height restrictions!
From here it’s only a short stroll to the Kauri Grove Lookout Track which winds its way through one of Coromandel Peninsula’s oldest stands of Kauri trees – including Square Kauri! Be sure to stop and admire its unique square trunk that may be over 1,200 years old! Timber loggers used Kauri trees as an easy target during 19th century log drives, leading them to almost cut them to extinction; their remnants can still be found primarily along Coromandel Peninsula and Northland regions today.
5. Ngarimu Bay
Coromandel Peninsula offers visitors an incredible opportunity to indulge in local gourmet food and wine experiences, from farmers markets offering fresh oysters, cheeses, macadamia nuts and macadamia nuts; to wineries offering cellar door tastings.
Cathedral Cove and Tuhua (Mayor Island) marine preserves can be explored, offering unique experiences of underwater wildlife. Glass-bottom boat tours provide another great way to get up close.
Are you in search of an adrenaline rush? Head to Hot Water Beach where the sand has actually been warmed from below. Create your own spa experience or opt for guided experience if desired.
Ngarimu Bay offers an abundance of holiday rentals for any type of group or individual – such as “Superb Coromandel Studio,” with spectacular sea views and BBQ facilities, for instance. Larger groups will appreciate properties like “Fantastic Family Home With Private Access To Safe Beach,” which can sleep up to 13 people comfortably. Thames is only minutes away for shopping and restaurants!