Day Trip to Coromandel

 

Experience Coromandel Peninsula, a favourite holiday destination for many New Zealanders. Its amazing landscape consists of a mountainous, forest-covered backbone, with the Pacific Ocean on the east, and the sheltered bays and coves of the Hauraki Gulf on the west. Spend the day in this unique area steeped in history associated with kauri logging, gold mining and stunning coastlines. A 90-minute drive south-east of Auckland is Coromandel’s main town, Thames, where we take a short break. Then the spectacular western coast road leads us to Coromandel Township where renowned New Zealand potter, Barry Brickell had his studio. Ride his personally designed and built mountain railway system on a memorable journey through the rugged landscape. Your next stop is for a quiet stroll in pristine rainforest to view some of the magnificent kauri trees that once covered the Coromandel Peninsula. The journey continues across the mountain divide and descends towards the east coast beaches where we stop for lunch. Visit Hot Water Beach where hot water bubbles up in the sand and dig your own hot tub right next to the lapping waves. A short drive away is Cathedral Cove, where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach backed by white cliffs. There is a half hour downhill walk to the beach from here which means of course the walk back is uphill! Your journey home to Auckland heads back over the hills by a different route.