Coromandel Peninsula
Southeast of Auckland, the clawlike Coromandel Peninsula separates the Hauraki Gulf from the Bay of Plenty.
Along its coast, the surf crashes against rocky cliffs and gently laps sandy crescents. Remnants of gold mining and kauri milling days still survive in its rugged interior.
Coastal roads border much of the shoreline; elsewhere, side roads lead down to the sea. Several winding mountain routes across the forested Coromandel Range
the western and eastern coasts.
The peninsula's population has fluctuated as wildly its fortunes. Prospectors flocked here in the late 1860s in search of gold. Later, timber traders and gumdiggers the kauri forests and plundered the land; museums in larger towns recall this colorful era. In recent years,
many craftspeople have settled here to pursue their work.
The peninsula's isolation is part of its charm, but it limits touring options. Nearest airports are in Thuranga and Auckland. Railways Road Services coaches travel between Auckland and Thames, largest of the towns;
from Thames, there's limited bus service to Coromandel and Whitianga. Rental cars are available in Thames.
Most accommodations are concentrated in Whitianga and in Whangamata, deep sea fishing headquarters, but you'll find motels in Thames, Coromandel, and smaller towns as well. Tourist information offices are located in Thames and Tairua.
Along the western coast
Located about 120 km/75 miles southeast of Auckland, Thames is a convenient base for exploring the peninsula. Displays in the Thames Museum, at Brown and Cochrane streets, evoke the mining era.
|
Southeast of Thames, the Kauaeranga Valley road leads to pleasant riverside picnic sites and forest walks in Coromandel Forest Park. For trail information, stop at Forest Service headquarters, located alongside the river.
Farther north at Coromandel, memories linger of the 1867 gold rush that brought quick prosperity to the area. The road continues north to Long Bay, a popular picnicking and camping area; to Kennedy's Bay, a yachters' haven; and to secluded bays and beaches near the tip of the sparsely populated Colville Peninsula.
Slow but scenic Highway 25 winds from Coromandel high above Whangapoua Harbour and Mercury Bay to Whitianga. Narrow, winding Highway 309 is the direct route across the mountains; from it, a short, marked trail leads to a glade of giant kauri trees.
East coast attractions
The peaceful harbor town of Whitianga takes on a carnival atmosphere in summer as vacationers flock here for swimming and water skiing, big game fishing and surfcasting, gemstone hunting, and bush walking. A passenger ferry makes the short trip across the Narrows to Ferry Landing, where you can walk to several destinations.
From Whenuakite, side roads lead northeast to beautiful Hahei Beach and Hotwater Beach, where hot springs seep up through the sand. From Hahei, it's a 20 minute walk north over the bluff to Cathedral Cave, a magnificent sea carved cavern between two coves.
Tairua and Pauanui are popular seaside resorts; diving and big game fishing are favorite activities. You can also arrange guided hiking trips to learn more about the Coromandel's scenic attractions and birdlife, Busy Whangamata attracts surf swimmers and water skiers. Offshore is Mayor Island, a major deep sea fishing base.
Waihi, situated on the wooded southern slope of the Coromandel Range, flourished during the local gold rush. One of New Zealand's largest gold strikes was made here at the Martha Mine. Many of the town's buildings reflect an earlier era; you can learn about this period at the Waihi Museum, 50 Kenny Street.
Highway 2 swings inland toward Paeroa through the
Karangahake Gorge, where mining settlements boomed
and subsequently vanished in the late 19th century.
|
