If you’re road-tripping around New Zealand’s North Island, the Coromandel Peninsula is an absolute must. Think wild beaches, emerald-green hills, waterfalls flowing, and jaw-dropping coastal lookouts. The kind of place that has you pulling over every five minutes just to say “WOW”.
Located in the Waikato Region, the Coromandel Peninsula stretches about 85 kilometres, from Waihi Beach in the south to the rugged northern tip. The main hubs are Whitianga (where we stayed) and Coromandel Town, but there are plenty of equally charming smaller towns including Hahei, Tairua, Opito Bay, Pauanui, Whangamata, and Waihi.
Getting there is easy as it is roughly a 2 to 2.5-hour drive from Auckland, depending on where you’re headed on the peninsula.
Here are the 12 best things to do on the Coromandel Peninsula, guaranteed to leave you in awe (and possibly covered in sand, salt, or sweat).
1. Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is hands-down the most famous spot on the Coromandel, and for good reason. It even starred in The Chronicles of Narnia, which helps explain why around 500,000 people visit every year. Yes… it’s busy. Very busy. Especially in summer.
There are a few ways to get there:
- Walk
- Kayak
- Boat tour
To avoid the crowds, we walked in at sunrise, and honestly, it was magical. Walking is free, scenic, and once you conquer the initial uphill climb from town, it’s an easy stroll.
Things to know before your visit:
- The trailhead car park is closed in summer.
- A large town car park with paid shuttles now operates during the day.
- Walking from town adds about 20 extra minutes (each way).
Arriving an hour before sunrise meant we had Cathedral Cove completely to ourselves. Sadly, the weather didn’t fully cooperate, but I still braved a sunrise swim, much to the shock of my Queenslander body, which was not impressed by the water temperature.
Tip: Visit at low tide so you can walk through the iconic arch. Always check tide times before you go.
2. New Chums Beach
If I had to choose a favourite experience on the Coromandel, this would be it.
There’s no road to New Chums Beach, which is exactly why it’s so special. To get there, start from the northern end of Whangapoua Beach and hike along the rocky coastline. This walk is best done at low tide and takes around 40 minutes each way.
You’ll need proper footwear, a reasonable level of fitness and a sense of adventure!
About halfway along, there’s a detour to the New Chums Lookout. If you enjoy scrambling like I do, DO IT. The view from up there is insane.
Despite being regularly listed as one of the best beaches in New Zealand, New Chums was incredibly quiet when we visited. White sand, turquoise water, barely any people… absolute paradise.
3. Mount Paku Summit
Short, steep, and spectacular.
The Mount Paku Summit Walk is a 1.1 km out-and-back hike that takes under 30 minutes, but don’t let the distance fool you, it’s steep. Thankfully, the views over Tairua, Pauanui, and the coastline make every step worth it.
Start from the Memorial Reserve car park on Paku Drive.
4. Waiau Falls
Just 15 minutes from Coromandel Town, Waiau Falls is a quick and rewarding stop. A 5-minute walk leads you to this beautiful 6-metre waterfall, surrounded by lush native bush.
It’s a popular swimming spot with locals, but we visited on a rainy day and had the place entirely to ourselves. Sometimes bad weather has its perks.
5. Otama Beach
We visited Otama Beach on Christmas Day, and wow, what a place. The water was absolutely freezing (by our standards), but the beach itself is stunning: wide, wild, and beautifully unspoiled.
Even on Christmas Day, it was surprisingly quiet, with just a few families around. A perfect spot to relax, unwind, and escape the crowds.
6. Kauri Block Walk
This 3.1 km return walk is an easy and rewarding hike that takes you to a historic Māori pā (settlement). The highest point of the track offers 360-degree views over the Coromandel Ranges, Coromandel Town, and offshore islands. So beautiful even on an overcast/rainy day.
Nature lovers will enjoy this walk as it is lined with native plants and bush the whole way.
7. Opito Pā Walk
Short but spicy.
This walk involves quite a few stairs, so you’ll want a decent level of fitness. Follow Opito Bay Beach all the way to the cliffs on the right-hand side, where you’ll find the stairway up.
Climb, climb, climb… and then BAM! Incredible views over Opito Bay and the Mercury Islands. So worth the effort.
8. Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach is one of the Coromandel’s most unique attractions, and one of its busiest.
Here, you can dig your own hot pool in the sand thanks to geothermal water bubbling just below the surface. Sounds amazing, right? It is… but timing is everything.
Important things to know:
- Visit within 2 hours either side of low tide
- Bring a spade or rent one from the local shop
- Only certain areas have hot water so watch where everyone else is digging!
It’s crowded, chaotic, and oddly fun. Just don’t expect peace and quiet.
9. Shakespeare Cliff Lookout
For epic coastal views, head to Shakespeare Cliff Lookout, near Lonely Bay, about 35 minutes from Whitianga.
The views over Cooks Bay, Lonely Bay, and surrounding islands are stunning. Unfortunately, a massive rainstorm rolled in while we were there, but I can only imagine how spectacular it would be on a sunny day.
10. Owharoa Falls
A perfect roadside waterfall stop. Owharoa Falls is just a 5-minute walk from the car park, making it an easy and worthwhile break, especially before heading to the next spot Karangahake Gorge which is a 5 mins drive away.
11. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
Karangahake Gorge is all about history, nature, and easy walks. Several tracks start from the same car park.
We did the Windows Walk, which was fantastic. Expect old mining tunnels, river views and railway tunnels (bring a torch!).
As a slightly claustrophobic person, the tunnels were… character building. But I survived. Barely.
12. Relax in Whitianga
Whitianga completely won us over. It’s relaxed, scenic, and has a beautiful beach (Buffalo Beach, a great marina, good food options and a lovely coastal walking path stretching along Buffalo Beach all the way to the Marina.
We stayed four nights and could’ve happily stayed longer.
Where to Stay on the Coromandel?
We stayed in a beachfront Airbnb in Whitianga, right on Buffalo Beach, and loved waking up to ocean views every morning.
Other accommodation options range from luxury lodges to mid-range hotels and budget-friendly stays.
You can search for accommodation on Agoda to suit every budget:
- Luxury: Te Puru Beach Lodge or Oceans Resort Whitianga
- Mid-range: Beachside Resort Whitianga or Harbourside Holiday Park Whitianga
- Budget: Blue Marlin Apartments & Motel (Whitianga) or Coromandel TOP 10 Holiday Park
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