The unique and unspoiled coast line of the Coromandel Peninsula is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations but has been for a long time more popular with New Zealanders than International visitors. All that is changing as more and more international guests make their way to the unspoiled rugged beauty of the peninsular region. The 400 kilometres of coastline which make up the Coromandel Peninsula encompass a rugged mountainous interior cloaked in sub-tropical rainforest and is home to an ever growing arts community.

Population

Thames: 10,000

Coromandel Town: 1,400

Whitianga: 4,000

Whangamata 3,800

Natural Attractions

• Hot Water Beach where at low tide you can dig your own hot pool
• Take a beach walk to Cathedral Cove and its stunning natural amphitheatre
• 309 Kauri Grove for some of the finest specimens in the area
• Numerous idyllic beaches including Kuaotunu, Otama, Opito Bay and Hahei
• Panoramic views from the top of Paku Hill in Tairua of Slipper, Alderman and Mayor Island
• World class deep sea fishing
• Enjoy the 2 hour walk to Wentworth Valley Waterfall near Whangamata
• Explore an old gold mine and learn about the region’s gold mining history at Thames
• During November to January the region comes alive with the bright red flowers of the Pohutukawa tree

Coromandel Peninsula Fun Facts

During the gold rush in the 1880’s Thames had a population which was bigger than Auckland

Build in 1837, the Ferry Landing is the oldest stone wharf in Australasia

The natural hot water springs of Hot Water Beach was created by colcanic activity and can reach temperatures of almost 75 degrees Celsius.

Mercury Bay and Cook’s Beach were named by Captain Cook in 1769 while observing the Transit of Venus