Things To Do In Coromandel

1. Visit the underground thermal mineral waters

Travel to Hot Water Beach, a geo-thermal wonder near Whitianga with one of the best things to do in New Zealand on any sunny, or rainy day! Here lies a fantastic escape for you and your special someone. Come and relax in a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Discover a paradise where the 16,000-year-old mineral water emerges pure and sterile from a depth of 667 meters, soaking away the stresses of ordinary life.

For a more natural experience, you can visit the top attraction Hot Water Beach, where you can build your own spa on the verge of the huge Pacific. The optimum time to visit Hot Water Beach is two hours before or after low tide, when the best place to build your spa is exposed. Hot Water Beach offers a landscape and ambience unlike any other, from the crashing waves to the searing bite of hot sand beneath your bare feet at low tide.

2. Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove is a well-known natural icon in New Zealand, having featured in the opening scene of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Swim the snorkel trail, take a guided tour, and marvel at the marine reserve's wealth of aquatic life. Definitely one of the things you need to do when visiting the coromandel!
Cathedral Cove is one of the top "See and Do" spots in The Coromandel, located on the edge of the vast Mercury Bay, close to the village of Hahei.

Adjacent to the reserve, there are various scenic trails, including a 1.5-hour return walk that leads to Gemstone Bay, Mare's Leg, and Cathedral Cove.
However, approaching the water, by boat or kayak, is the ideal way to feel the magic of this location and to learn about the secrets of the volcanic shoreline from which it is formed. There are 3 beautiful boat tours See and Do has to offer; Arvo of Goodness, Cathedral Cove Boat Tour and Morning Glory.

Te Whanganui o Hei is part of a unique territory that was first claimed by Hei, a revered spiritual tauira (authority) who arrived to Aotearoa with Kupe on the waka Te Arawa approximately 1350 AD.

Hei chose the area near Mercury Bay to settle with his people, Ngti Hei, on a northward voyage from the Bay of Plenty to Hauraki. He declared ownership of Motueka Island by calling it "Te kuraetangao-taku-Ihu" (the outward curve of my nose). This assertion is supposed to have been made near the present-day town of Hahei.
Hei's descendants still have a deep ancestral and spiritual connection to the land, and they continue to serve as kaitiaki (guardians) of the area's abundant resources.

3. Cycle trails

A most exciting thing to do on any evening - find the perfect bike path for you in Coromandel, where there are 28 to choose from. The 197km trail showcases some of the best scenery and is one of the easiest cycle trails in New Zealand. Accessible from Kaiaua Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Waikino, Karangahake Gorge, Te Aroha and Matamata the Hauraki Rail Trail is an easy Grade One family-friendly ride.

The Gold rush tour where you can Ride from the historic town of Paeroa through most popular section of the Hauraki Rail Trail, the awe inspiring Karangahake Gorge to the Goldmine town of Waihi.

Enjoy a relaxed ride through our lush countryside and have lunch at the award winning Matatoki Cheese Barn.

Here are some top 10 highlights along the Hauraki rail trail:

1. Relax before and after your biking adventure by taking a dip in the hot pools at Miranda or Te Aroha.

2. For twitchers, the Miranda Shorebird Centre and the Bird Hide are great places to watch migrating shorebirds.

3. Travel back in time by meandering around old Grahamstown's charming and intriguing shops and eateries.

4. Tantalize your taste senses at Matatoki Cheese and Bistro at the Falls, which serves homegrown delicacies.

5. Collectors of antiques.... Explore the many antique shops in Paeroa, New Zealand's Antiques Capital.

6. Take the obligatory photo in front of the enormous L&P bottle at Paeroa, which is world famous.

7. Golden heritage.... explore the Karangahake Gorge's historic mining remains and tunnels.

8. Take a photo or take a brief dip.... The local swimming holes and Owharoa Falls make for a beautiful photo backdrop, while the nearby swimming holes are perfect for a quick dip.

4. Fishing in The Coromandel

The Coromandel is one of New Zealand's favorite and most accessible fishing destinations, with over 400 kilometers of coastline and over 100 offshore islands. Waipae Magic Charters run fishing sightseeing snorkeling tours. Within a relatively small region, it offers some of New Zealand's best fishing. You may be guaranteed to locate somewhere to fish, dive, or snorkel with an East and West Coast, as well as plenty of bays and islands for safety. Whatever your passion, whether it's beach surfcasting, relaxing among mussel farms, live baiting, or venturing further afield in search of that elusive game fish, The Coromandel has it all.

5. Art and Craft

A subdued thing to do in the Coromandel is visit a shopper's paradise, with a treasure trove of products hidden inside every store. Vintage precincts, lively marketplaces, and trendy concept businesses coexist peacefully with contemporary fashion boutiques, fine art galleries, and design stores. The things you will be delighted to discover when shopping in The Coromandel exhibit a passion for creativity, ingenuity, and a deep concern for the environment. Shopping in The Coromandel is a pleasant and fun way to spend a good for your soul day, thanks to convenient parking, a diverse selection, and a buzzy beach town environment.

6. Whiritoa Beach

Take your camera, leave your shoes at home, and head south of Whangamata to Whiritoa Beach. The coastal landscape and hidden beach, which is surrounded by Pohutukawa trees, make for an ideal filming location.

Photographers and painters who prefer to capture life as it should be enjoy it as well. The quiet Waimama Bay, with white sand, crystal clear waters, and a canopy of Pohutukawa trees, is a 15-minute walk away. Whiritoa and Waimama, a favorite place for beach picnics and romance, will have you falling in love with The Coromandel. The steep slope offers a good beach break for experienced surfers looking for short rides, as well as a meandering sandbar for those looking for something different. During the summer, Surf Life Saving New Zealand patrols the beach. Swim between the flags at all times.

7. Stargazing Tours

The Coromandel has beautiful crisp clear skies around every corner, perfect for gazing upon the milky way.

Using a research quality telescope in a revolving dome, explore the southern night sky treasures of the Milky Way, Moon, and planets from this stargazing tours pristine dark sky site. Handle meteorites that are older than the Earth, sit inside a massive sundial, and go through our scale model solar system. A fun activity for the whole family.

8. Paeroa

Paeroa is a regional hub at the base of the Coromandel and the gateway to the Karangahake Gorge, which is famous for its gold mining history, walkways, vineyard, fishing, rock climbing, swimming, and the Hauraki Rail Trail. Paeroa is New Zealand's self-proclaimed Antiques Capital and home to the therapeutic spring water that, when blended with lemon, produces the drink Lemon & Paeroa (or L&P), which is "World Famous in New Zealand."

9. Climb Mt Paku

Tairua is a prime location for exploring the east coast and outlying islands, as well as the west coast's jagged mountainous backdrop. Mt Paku's twin summits defend the port entrance and provide a 360-degree view of the Coromandel Forest Park's Pinnacles and the Aldermen Islands. Bush and kauri grove hikes, historic mines, and caverns are all within minutes of Tairua, and Pauanui is only a short ferry trip across the sea. Booking a tour with local dive and fishing charters will also let you to see the offshore islands of Slipper, Shoe, and the Aldermen Islands.

Mt Paku, a twin-coned Maori pa sculptured hillside that was originally an island, is nearby, as are the Slipper, Shoe, and Aldermen Islands, which are off shore. Both wharves have a number of charter and fishing boats, and the beaches are ideal for safe swimming and surfing in most conditions.

10. Gold Mining History

The Coromandel was the first spot in New Zealand where gold was discovered, sparking a rush of prospectors looking for their fortune in the deep veins of the Coromandel Ranges. The Coromandel experienced two big gold output booms between the 1860s and the 1920s.

Check out this fantastic ‘Gold rush biking trail where you can experience this first hand! The Golden Cross Mine was closed in 1920, but it was reopened in 1991 through 1998. The Martha Mine was closed in 1952, but it was reopened in 1987 and is still in use today!

By the time it closed in 1952, the Martha Hill Mine (named after prospector William Nicholl's sister) near Waihi had produced more gold than any other in New Zealand history, with 224,000 g of gold and 1,680,000 g of silver. Why not go visit it in Waihi?