The densely forested Coromandel Peninsula, which juts into the sea between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, offers honeymoon couples some of the North Island’s most scenic white-sand beaches – all just a short drive from Auckland.
A forested hinterland of high ridges separates the wild and rugged western coastline from the sheltered eastern shore, known for its many wide, gently sloping, white-sand beaches that offer a range of activities such as safe swimming, diving, snorkelling, sailing, cruising and fishing – perfect for active honeymoon couples.
Hike one of the numerous trails to see ancient kauri trees or to a swimming hole surrounded by beautiful native forest. Try the Kauri Block Walk, which leads to the site of an old Maori pa (fortress), with spectacular 360-degree views of the Coromandel Ranges, offshore islands and the township.
Further north, a track meanders through a typical coastal forest of puriri, kohekohe and pohutukawa in the Papa Aroha Scenic Reserve, before emerging onto a picturesque swimming beach.
Or go biking or horseback riding along forested trails to idyllic beaches, usually fringed by scarlet pohutukawa trees (flowering from December to January) and flanked by sculpted black volcanic rock formations.
The Coromandel Peninsula offers a choice of must-see attractions, including…
Once a vibrant timber and gold mining centre, the township is now one of New Zealand's main arts and craft centres. Browse the handicraft shops packed with a wide selection of locally produced wares including pottery, sculpture, woodcarvings, paintings, printmaking and jewellery.
Take the country’s only narrow-gauge railway (known as Driving Creek Railway and built by a local potter) through replanted kauri forests to an old logging station, with panoramic views across the scenic Hauraki Gulf.
For an insight into the gold mining days, take a guided tour around the Coromandel Gold Stamper Battery, New Zealand's last functional gold-processing plant. Try some gold panning, stroll through the bush to a scenic lookout and examine the huge working waterwheel, claimed to be New Zealand's largest.
Don’t miss visiting the Coromandel Museum for a fascinating insight into the town's gold, kauri and farming history.
Discover the far north of the peninsula from Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay along the 11km-long Coromandel Walkway, an easy three-hour walk along a well-marked path over gentle hills through pasture and bush, with outstanding sea views overlooking tiny bays.
Organise a pick-up and ride back on the local shuttle bus that runs between Coromandel town and Fletcher Bay, a distance of around 57km.
Enthusiastic mountain bikers can take a longer, more challenging route that takes one further inland, but which starts and finishes at the same points as the walkway.
Take a two-hour hike or bike ride into the Coromandel’s gold mining past. The 7km-long Karangahake Gorge Historical Walkway follows the historic railway line along the Ohinemuri River Valley past old battery sites and mining relics, offering the chance to explore a 1km-long mining tunnel with 'windows' – once blasted by the miners through the mine shaft walls – now providing views over the Waitewheta River.
The scenic Karangahake Gorge is riddled with walkways and old tunnels and was the site of steam-operated mining batteries used to process ore in the 1890s.
Picnic on the banks of the Ohinemuri River or at Owharoa Falls; enjoy an afternoon swim or simply admire the tumbling cascades.
Walk in the footsteps of miners and loggers who cut the original trail and stone stairs, allowing access for packhorses carrying supplies for kauri loggers, gum diggers and gold miners in the early 1900s.
The three-hour hike to the base of the craggy Pinnacles follows the Kauaeranga River along the Kauaeranga Valley, traversing streams and swing bridges and passing groves of nikau palms and tall rata trees. Overnight in the 80-bed Department of Conservation hut and at first light clamber up steep rock faces and several ladders to reach the narrow ledge on top of the peak.
Be rewarded with early morning rays of sunlight reflecting off the Pacific Ocean and be inspired by the 360-degree panoramic views of the Coromandel Peninsula, the Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Plenty and Hauraki Plains. Located around 16km upriver from Thames.
Explore this 26ha valley in the Coromandel Ranges featuring a range of man-made scenic streams, waterfalls, fountains and ponds. Watch fish and ducks swim among colourful water lilies and listen to song birds overhead.
Wander paths crammed with collections of native grasses, flaxes, gunneras, rhododendrons and camellias. Walk beneath giant tree ferns, rimu, rata and kauri trees and look out for birdlife including tuis, fantails, silver eyes and wood pigeons.
The Coromandel Peninsula offers a range of honeymoo accommodation options to suit all budgets, including the 4-star Pacific Harbour Lodge near Tairua Beach, the 4-star Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort, situated in the mountains near Pauanui Beach and the 4-star Waihi Beach Lodge located opposite scenic Waihi Beach. Alternatively, try the 5-star Admiralty Lodge Motel in Whitianga, located near Cathedral Cove, Buffalo Beach and Mercury Bay.
The eastern coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula is famous for its choice of safe swimming and surfing beaches.
The region's best beaches, include the following…
Discover a stunning, unspoiled crescent of pristine white sand fringed by scarlet pohutukawa trees and native forest – only accessible by boat or on foot. Usually deserted for most of the year, New Chums Beach is easily reached from nearby Whangapoua Village.
After wading through the shallows at the northern end of Whangapoua Beach, follow the hillside track that leads to a saddle overlooking scenic New Chums. From there it’s an easy descent to the white-sand beach, which shelves gently into the calm turquoise waters of Wainuiototo Bay.
Kick off your walking shoes and slither your toes through the pristine white sand on a leisurely stroll along the kilometre-long beach. Pack a picnic, beach comb, sunbathe, go swimming or surf the swells in season.
There are no facilities on the beach, however its close proximity to nearby Whangapoua Village means you can usually carry what you need.
New Chums is a 30-minute walk from Whangapoua, approximately 15 kilometres north-east of Coromandel township and around 164km from Auckland (a drive of around 2 hours and 15 minutes).
Discover a picturesque pocket of white sand fringed by pohutukawa trees and separated from neighbouring Mares Leg Cove by a soaring and picturesque 10m-high cavern that is awash at high tide.
Both beaches are equally idyllic and perfect at low tide for relaxing, swimming and snorkelling the nearby rock stacks and headlands.
Scenic Cathedral Cove is part of a marine reserve that also encompasses nearby Gemstone and Stingray bays, and was used in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Cathedral Cove is easily reached by hiking a well-trodden trail from the northern end of Hahei Beach or by following a bush path from the car park at the end of Grange Road atop the headland separating Hahei Beach and Gemstone Bay, an easy 45-minute walk.
The headland is the site of an ancient Maori pa (fortified village). There are no facilities on Cathedral Cove beach.
Dig your own thermal spa in the sand at Hot Water Beach, a portion of white sand found along the central area of Hahei Beach.
Pick a spot an hour either side of low tide and start scooping out a sand hole; settle in and enjoy a hot natural spa as thermal saltwater bubbles up through the sand from two underground springs, a legacy of the region’s volcanic past.
The deeper you dig, the hotter the water becomes – the temperature can reach up to 64°C! The natural ebb and flow of the tide flattens the beach, making it ready for the next influx of ‘spa users’.
Alternatively, head to the eastern end of this long, pohutukawa-fringed beach to sunbathe, go kayaking, swimming, snorkelling and surfing when the swell is up.
Climb up through a grove of giant pohutukawa trees to Te Pare Historic Reserve, site of a former Maori pa (fortified village), with great views overlooking the beach and neighbouring offshore islands. Beach facilities include toilets and showers.
This wide golden-sand beach is perfect for swimming and surfing its world-class left-hand break. The offshore sea at Whangamata is famous for deep-sea fishing.
Plan to arrive at the end of April for the annual classic Whangamata Beach Hop: you’ll see a line-up of classic muscle cars and listen to some of New Zealand’s best rock and roll bands.
Facilities are available from the beachside town, home to a number of cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Discover a 3km-long crescent of fine golden sand with safe swimming.
You’ll also find lovely picnic areas along the Purangi River, providing good views across Mercury Bay to the Mercury Islands. Go swimming, sailing and diving.
The sheltered and picturesque Purangi Estuary offers several kilometres of inland waterways that are perfect for kayaking. Facilities are available from the beachside town, home to a number of cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Explore a wide, 9km-long sweep of white sand, renowned as one New Zealand’s safest surf beaches. Surf, boogie board or kite surf the waves.
Head to the beach’s southern end at Bowentown to kayak, swim and enjoy a picnic. For stunning sea views climb to the old Maori pa on the top of Bowentown heads or explore the surrounding landscape on scenic bush trails that wind over coastal headlands to secluded pohutakawa-fringed beaches and river gorges.
At low tide, dig in the sand for delicious tuatua and pipi shellfish (that require boiling to eat). Beach facilities include lifeguards, showers, toilets and picnic tables as well as a nearby shopping centre, restaurants and a range of accommodation.
Relax on this wide sweep of golden-white sand fringed by a forested reserve and framed by rocky headlands. The 5km-long beach offers good swimming, surfing and surfcasting.
Try shellfishing in the harbour for cockles and pipis, and in the surf for tuatua. Scuba dive Hikunui Island and along the southern coastline to Pokohino.
Choose from several bushwalks, including trails to the Ohui rock pools at the northern end of the beach, trails that take you into the state forest to visit the historic Phoenix goldmine and up through native bush to Maungaruawahine Pa, where you can find unusual stone ramparts and enjoy the view across the harbour to the site of the sister pa on Ruahiwihiwi Point.
Visit the neighbouring Wharekawa Wildlife Refuge to see a breeding ground for several endangered species of sea birds. See the New Zealand dotterel and variable oystercatcher from November to February during breeding season.
Anytime. The Coromandel Peninsula has a maritime climate: generally mild from November to April, with an average summer temperature of 16°C (60°F) and a high of 25°C (77°F) (December to February); and never truly cold, even in winter (June to August), when it is usually wet and temperatures range between 9°C (48°F) and 15°C (59°F).
The Coromandel Peninsula is located around 170km (105mi) south-east of Auckland – a 2hr 30-minute drive.
Latest update: Coromandel Peninsula: 12 January, 2023
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