Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Mauao (Mt. Maunganui)
This dormant volcano is the region's visual icon; its rocky cone stands sentinel, 761 feet high at the end of the peninsula that boasts one of New Zealand's best swimming and surfing areas. White-sand beaches with rolling surf stretch for miles away from Mauao. Trails on Mauao include an easy walk around its base and the more strenuous summit climb. To get to Mauao, head toward it along any road running parallel to the beach. The Mount Maunganui area gets crowded around Christmas and New Year's Eve, so consider early or late summer (or even winter) for your visit. Beach walks or exploring Mauao is a delight at any time, and the sidewalk cafés are always open.
New Zealand -
2. Ōhope Beach
The region’s most popular and safest swimming beach is the 11-km (7-mile) laid-back Ōhope, just a 10-minute drive east of Whakatane. Pohutukawa Avenue, Ōhope's main road, runs parallel to the beach, flanked by native pohutukawa trees, private homes, and grazing cows. You can stay in the Top 10 Holiday Park or choose from a range of holiday homes, motels, apartments and B&Bs. There's lots to do here: fishing off the beach, surfing, and walking the Nga Tapuwae o Toi trail are just a few options. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.
Pohutukawa Ave., New Zealand -
3. Cooks Beach
This beach lies in Mercury Bay, so named for Captain James Cook's observation of the transit of the planet Mercury in 1769. The beach is notable for the captain's landfall, the first here by a European. It's a beautiful expanse of white sand backed by a growing sprawl of vacation homes. Forest-covered headlands overlook each end (take the walking track to Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve, on the northern headland for the view). The beach is a safe family swimming spot, likely to be crowded in peak summer months (January) and delightfully quiet at other times of the year. Along with private vacation homes, B&Bs and a holiday park with campsites and cabins are located near the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.
Marine Parade, Cooks Beach, Coromandel, 3591, New Zealand -
4. Fletcher Bay
Beyond Colville, a twisty, gravel road will take you to Fletcher Bay, the northernmost end of the peninsula. (It's impossible to fully circumnavigate the peninsula by road). To reach Fletcher Bay, turn left at a T-junction about 5 km (3 miles) north of Colville. This road follows the west coast to a stunning sandy beach at Port Jackson, then continues along the cliff-top and down to Fletcher Bay, a smaller, sandy cove banked by green pasture rolling down to the beach. It's 60 km (38 miles) from Coromandel—a 1¼-hour drive. There's a small camping ground here, tracks and beaches to explore, and a great kayaking spot. From Fletcher Bay, hikers can follow the signposted Coromandel Coastal Walkway, an old bridle trail along the very northeastern tip of Coromandel Peninsula, down to Stony Bay. It's a charming three- to four-hour walk, partly along clifftops with grand views across to the Mercury Islands, and at times dipping down to secluded, forest-fringed beaches.
New Zealand -
5. Hot Water Beach
This wild and potentially dangerous surf beach is incredibly popular for its under-the-sand thermal spring. By scooping a shallow hole in the sand, you can create a pool of warm water; the deeper you dig, the hotter it becomes. The phenomenon occurs only at low- to mid-tide, so time your trip accordingly. In summer you'll be joined by hundreds of other spade-toting, wannabe bathers—plan your visit outside of busy January if you can. Hot Water Beach is well signposted off Hahei Beach Road from Whenuakite (fen-oo-ah-kye-tee). If you need to while away some time before the tide goes out, there are a couple of beachside cafés, plus the Moko Artspace gallery to browse. Only swim in the lifeguard-patrolled areas; the beach is notorious for drownings; however, nearby Hahei Bech is one of the finest and safest on this coast. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; walking.
View Tours and ActivitiesHot Water Beach Rd., 3591, New Zealand -
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6. Waihi Beach
Nineteen km (12 miles) north of Katikati, Waihi Beach is ideal for swimming and surfing and has access to numerous walkways. With 9 km (5½ miles) of sweeping white sand, the beach is one of the region's safest for swimming, surfing, and kayaking, and is particularly popular in peak summer (January). A surf club offers beach patrols at the beach's northern end and in summer at the far Bowentown end in the south, although you'll find people splashing about all along the long white stretch. Don't miss the drive to the top of the Bowentown heads at the southern end of Waihi Beach. This is an old Māori pā (fortified village) with stunning views. A short but steep walk from here leads to Cave Bay directly below the viewing point. Don't swim at Cave Bay; there are dangerous currents here. The Waihi Beach township encompasses restaurants and shops, and there is a full range of accommodations, from holiday parks to boutique lodges. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking; toilets; waters sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.
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