Coromandel Peninsula Attractions

Thornton Bay, Te Puru, Wiaomu, Tapu - Leaving Thames, the Pacific Coast Highway passes through these quaint seaside towns. They’d make ideal retreats for a romantic weekend or summer holiday.

Colville - Beautiful and pristine, Colville was formerly known as Cabbage Bay because Captain Cook insisted his sailors avoid scurvy by eating the native cabbage tree leaves.

Port Jackson - The northernmost township on the Coromandel Peninsula. Isolation and relaxation beckon.

Port Charles - A choice of safe swimming beach at Sandy Bay to big ocean surf at Waikauwau. A picturesque spot with native bush and fresh mountain streams.

Kennedy Bay - With its rugged coastline and quiet bays this is a popular fishing spot for many. It’s also popular for swimming and picnics.

Whangapoua - A popular white-sand surf beach. You can launch a boat here for fishing. Take a gentle 30 minute walk around the shore and headland to New Chums Bay.

Matarangi - Matarangi’s beautiful beach is 4.5km long. It has grown into a popular holiday settlement with a stylish community and golf course.

Kuaotunu - A wonderful beach setting that looks out along the Coromandel Peninsula and out to the Mercury Islands. Good snorkelling can be had just round the corner at Otama and Opito Bays.

Hahei, Cooks Beach, Hot Water Beach - Visit Captain James Cook’s memorial at Cooks Beach. Dig your own hot pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach.

Flaxmill Bay - A popular spot for campers with a campground and a north facing calm beach, excellent for swimming and exploring.

Coroglen - a great place to stop is the historic Coroglen Pub. Or take a horseback ride on the pioneering trails.

Whenuakite - Check out the Whenuakite Kiwi Care – helping to protect the local kiwi population.

Tairua - A friendly and relaxed seaside resort and fishing village. Tairua has a great harbour and two white sandy beaches.

Pauanui - An exclusive beach resort, Pauanui has some stunning holiday homes around its streets and waterways.

Opoutere - Opoutere is one of the best surf beaches on the Coromandel

Onemana - Onemana is a curving crescent-shaped beach of golden sands framed by large pohutukawa trees. All the baches here enjoy sea views.

Whiritoa - With dramatic headlands at each end, and a fresh water lagoon, Whiritoa is a sleepy surf beach that avoids the big holiday rush.

Mayor Island - a wildlife refuge for rare birds and reptiles with a marine reserve.

Waihi - Waihi is gold mining town. Many mines still exist under the township and gold is still being prospected.