Towns nearby
Townships throughout the Coromandel Peninsula offer a mix of old world charm and modern facilities. These coastal villages are renown their beauty, the views, fishing, and surfing but, above all, for the friendly people inhabiting them. Spaced about every 15km along the entire Coromandel Peninsula coastline visitors will find in the towns arts and crafts, cafes and restaurants and within a short distance there is great sightseeing and bush walks.
Cooks Beach
Cook Beach is a 3km crescent of fine golden sand with safe waters flanked by Shakespeare Cliff to the west and the picnic spot of the Purangi River to the east, with views across Mercury Bay to the Mercury Islands.
The beach front rolls genly into the ocean and is known to be safe and free of any rips or potential hazards, making it an ideal for family seaside activities.
Cooks Beach offers an uncomplicated and relaxed holiday environment. Within a few minutes drive are a choice of other beaches including Hahei and Hot Water Beach.
At the eastern end of the beach is the sheltered and picturesque Purangi Estuary with several kilometres of inland waterways, providing a safe anchorage for pleasure craft and wunderful opportunities for children to practice canoeing skills.
The western end of the beach is protected by a large bluff upon the top of which sits Cooks Lookout and Reserve. The bluff extends some distance off shore and provides shelter from westerly winds.
Hot Water Beach
You can reach Hot Water beach by branching off from the main road (Highway 25) to Whitianga. The beach itself is famous for the thermal springs which bubble up through the sand. Take your own spade, or rent one from the local store, and create your own thermal pool in the sand.
The thermal springs are only accessible for one hour on either side of low tide, so be sure to check out the local tide times before heading off to the beach with your spade.
Quite apart from the thermal springs, this is a wonderful beach to spend a day with your family. There is a general store, toilet facilities and a campsite nearby. Hot Water beach is a good base for exploring the rest of this very beautiful coastline, including Hahei and Cathedral Cove.
Pauanui Beach
Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Pauanui would have to be amongst the most beautiful spots in the world. Nestled into the East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, due east of Thames and on the southern side of the Tairua Harbour, Pauanui is essentially a spit which has formed at the conjunction of wave and river action of the north side of the Pauanui headland.
The result is a sheltered and idyllic settlement attracting vacationers and settlers alike. It is conveniently located some 150 kilometers by road from Auckland and Hamilton. The Pauanui airstrip is within 30 minutes of Auckland airport via charter flight or private plane.
Tairua
Tairua is a small seaside resort and fishing village with a delightful harbour linked by two sandy white beaches. A headland island named Paku, which is joined by a sand dune, stands at the harbour heads. The ocean lies to the east , the mountains of the Coromandel to the west and dozens of idyllic white sandy beaches to the north and south.
Tairua is a leisurely 2 hour drive from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, or Tauranga on sealed and scenic highways. From Tairua visitors can explore the coastline north and south, to the many beaches and hidden coves that make the Coromandel Peninsula so unique, from native bush trails through Kauri and Fern forests, to boat charters to the nearby islands.
Whangamata
Whangamata is recognised as being one of the most popular beach resorts in New Zealand. The fantastic beach at Whangamata not only offers safe swimming, but also some of the best surfing breaks in the World.
Sea conditions are suitable for all along the 6km beach, or in the safe estuaries that lie at each end of the beach. These lead out to a section of the Pacific Ocean popular for big game and recreational fishing.
The Coromandel Forest Park and Tairua Forest bordering the town provides many outdoor experiences including short walks, mountain bike trails, exploring old gold mining sites and pig hunting. Short trails from forestry roads lead to isolated beaches away from civilisation.
Whitianga
Wander the Coromandel Ranges, meet fascinating people, go fishing and discover the recipes from this abundant seafood area, enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery on board a charterboat, take a trip to famous Cathedral Cove, visit our marine reserve aboard one of our scenic cruises, relax in your own spa pool at Hot Water Beach, visit the winery's of Mercury Bay or simply relax at the beach - the only problem you'll have is to choose what to do first...
Swimming, diving, bushwalking, scenic cruises, soaking in a hot pool at low tide, horse riding, fishing, kayaking, relaxed shopping, dining on local cuisine, golfing, bonecarving - experience the magic and relax in our unspoilt playground of paradise - a recreational haven just waiting for you.
