Fun
There is so much to do in Coromandel! Let's share with you some of our favorites!
1) Fun for kids
2) Our favorite beaches
3) Fishing & sailing
4) Walks and Hiking
5) Arts and art experiences
Fun for kids
Glide through the forest on this unique zipline canopy tour and experience Coromandel’s breath-taking native forest from all levels, as you fly above the trees and walk beneath the ferns.
Easy but exciting which is perfect for both teenagers and young toddlers. Coro Zip line is very popular during holidays so early online booking is highly recommended.
Kayak at Long Bay
Long Bay is the one which you can see from the big deck of the house. It is 15 mins walk from the house and 4 mins drive.
You can rent kayaks and paddle boards at the Long bay camp ground for ~NZD10 per hour. Long Bay is very shallow and calm which is perfect for kids to try kayaking and paddle boarding. It also has small playground and a lovely beach to pick shells and feed the seagulls.
An uniquely Kiwi experience. Set in 5 acres of native Coromandel bush and just 10 minutes from Coromandel Town is an array of water powered inventions, quirky contraptions and fun to discover at every turn. Voted by AA Tourism as a must-do Kiwi Experience. Tripadvisor Certificate of excellence.
Simply loads to do here - paintball, kids quad rides, laser clay shooting, soccer golf, outdoor laser tag, archery for beginners, target paintball shooting and the awesome mini adventure - Argo Ride which takes you on a trip across the river, through native bush, forestry and farm land to check out some of the area's incredible native fauna and magnificent views of Mercury Bay.
The park is set in a beautiful quiet farm with nice outdoor BBQ and picnic areas. Perfect for a day-trip and stop by the stunning beaches on the way!
Our favourite beaches
Whangapoua & New Chums beaches
Only 25 mins away, you can enjoy white sand beaches and hearing the power of the pacific ocean. Despite its world class quality, Whangapoua is mostly quiet and local, except during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
To reach the world famous New Chums beach, you will need to take a short hike from the Whangapoua beach. Bring your own wine and picnic and salute to nature with your friends!
Opera Point
Right next to Whangapoua, it's the local's best kept secret: Opera Point! Shhhhhh, promise me that you won't tell everyone!
It's interesting, complicated, and wonderful to explore. It starts with a very short hike and is very kid friendly.
Matarangi beach
Not far from Whangapoua, it's a beautiful and safe surfing beach. There is a surf school which is perfect for beginners and kids.
Otama beach
A stunning white sandy beach with an interesting lagoon. The above 4 beaches are basically in one route. A perfect beach day would be like this: choose two of above beaches, pack a lunch picnic in one of the beach, and then stop at Luke's Kitchen for dinner while watching sunset by the beach.
Wyuna Bay
If you just want to relax, there are a number of beaches which are only 3-5 mins drive from the house.
There are beach mats, beach towels, picnic basket, bean bags, chilly bin and beach dinnerware in the entertainment room downstairs. Just put them into the your car and enjoy at the beaches!
Fishing & Sailing
Coromandel is famous for recreational fishing and sailing with dozens of bays and islands in the area.
If you don't want to packing with 30 other tourists on the barges, try smokinreels for a private fishing charter, and a skipper to take you to the secret spots for good fishing.
If you would like to experience deep sea fishing, try epic adventure who provides a service from Whitianga.
If you would like to experience sailing, just let us know. An alternative choice is boomsailing.co.nz
Walks and Hiking
Fresh air, spectacular views and a selection of walks to suit almost every level of fitness is what’s on offer to those keen to explore The Coromandel by foot.
Enjoy the sweet, fresh scent of native New Zealand plants, dense and damp under a lush green canopy, or take in the wide open Pacific Ocean vista dotted with islands off The Coromandel coast before heading down to an isolated bay or sweeping ocean beach.
Here are some of our favorites:
For keen walkers:
1) Coromandel Coastal Walkway: A must for keen walkers, this spectacular trail links the East and West coast roads of the Northern Coromandel together. Start the walk at Stony Bay and finish at Fletcher Bay, then sit back and enjoy the superb sunsets down the western coastline.
2) Kauaeranga Kauri Trail and Pinnacles Walk: The highlight of the trip is the last section of the track which is a steep climb leading to the jagged summit of the Pinnacles. Walkers are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Coromandel region. Stunning sunrise. But to see the sunrise, you will need to stay overnight at the hut. Booking online and checking the weather conditions are essential.
3) Historic Whitianga Rock Maori Pa Site: The walk begins at Ferry Landing Wharf, the oldest stone wharf in Australasia built in 1837, and continues on to the Maori Pa site and various other historical points of interest.
If walking isn't your thing.
Try bushebikes where they can set you up with many different routes, and electric bikes to help you up those hills!
Just a stroll from the house:
1) Long Bay: This walk which is 3 mins drive from the house is actually something you should not miss. A relaxing 40 mins walk actually has everything, native forest, two beautiful beaches, big kauri trees, little playground and lots of good places to sit down to enjoy the sunsets.
2) Guided Walking Heritage Tour: If you want to know some colourful stories of Coromandel Town, this is the way to do it! During the tour you will learn about Tangata Whenua and discover the history of how Coromandel got its name. Why Kauri trees were felled , the uses for the Kauri gum, the great fire of 1895 and the gold rush.
Arts and art experiences
Pottery
Driving Creek Potteries is the heart of the Driving Creek experience, a place thriving with inspiration, innovation and old world values. Barry’s fierce intelligence, hard work and driving passion never let the seemingly impossible deter him from the vision he had for his land and pottery. At Driving Creek he found the freedom and space to bring these visions to life. The alchemy of turning clay into treasured works has created a legacy unlike any other attracting makers from all over the world to experience its magic.
https://drivingcreek.nz/driving-creek-pottery/
Open studio
Coromandel is famous for its creative people. We can help you make contact with some of them. Visiting Coromandel at any time of year, use this site and the Artist Guide as a snapshot of what each artist is doing. Contact them and arrange to visit. Or plan to be here early in October. For two weekends more than 30 artists open their studios to you.
https://www.coromandelartstour.co.nz