Approximately 30% of the Coromandel Peninsula's land is managed by the Department of Conservation. This provides great opportunities for those visitors to the area who want to get out and explore the area's natural surroundings and to overnight amongst some spectacular scenery.

For more information, see the Tourism Coromandel site or specifically for tramping and bush walks on the New Zealand Tramper site.

Tramping in the area can uncover relics of the goldmining era and kauri dams of the timber boom. Forests provide flora and fauna in abundance, intermixed with waterfalls and streams, panoramic views, stretching for approximately 80,000 hectares.
Trout can be found in the upper reaches of the Tairua River and gemstone hunting in stream beds reveals jasper and other stones.

THE PENINSULA LOOKOUT POINT

Road access to this delightful lookout is extremely rough but well worth the time taken!. Maybe if you have access to a boat you could go to the small beach directly north of the wharf (up harbour) look for the well graded track leading up and to the right from the back of the beach. A pleasant hour (or more) can be spent exploring the headland.

Wentworth Falls Walk

A fifty metre high waterfall is the highlight of this walk, which takes visitors through regenerating bush.
Directions: From Whangamata township drive south on SH25 for 2.5km. Turn right off the highway onto Wentworth Valley Road. The track starts at the road end.
Time: 2.5 hours return

TIP
There is a campground at the start of the track for those wanting to overnight in this beautiful valley.

Opoutere Beach

A great area for bird watching enthusiasts as at the southern end of the beach the Wharekawa harbour Wildlife Refuge protects a breeding area for New Zealand dotterel and the variable oyster catcher.

Directions: From Whangamata drive north on SH25 for 11kms until you reach the turnoff to Opotuere. The carpark to access the walk is approximately 4kms from the turnoff. The track starts by crossing a wooden footbridge and following a track through well-established pine trees. On reaching the beach turn right and walk along the shore. After approximately 500m, a boarded walkway crosses the sandspit. If it is low tide walkers can follw the estuary most of the way back to the carpark.
Time: 45mins return

Photography: Andy Belcher www.andybelcher.com