Coromandel Things to Do

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Coromandel's Golden Past

by Kakapo2

In 1852 a man named Charles Ring discovered gold at Coromandel but it took quite some time until a gold rush started on the Peninsula - until 1875 when the Waihi area became open to prospecting. The goldfield at Thames had started producing in 1867. The problem on the Coromandel was that hard rock mining took longer to get established, the alluvial miners failed money and expertise. Rock crushing batteries were needed. By 1903 the Martha Mine in Waihi was NZ's biggest mine. It still operates today as an open-shaft mine.Gold-mining leaves the people on the Coromandel with mixed feelings, as the mines have left the country very fragile, strong rains which are common in the area washing out the ground. Some years ago some houses sank into a hole near the Martha Mine - a fact the environmentalists of the Coromandel Watchdog had predicted. Another point of criticism is that mines are operated...

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Waiau Falls

by ATXtraveler

One of the hidden gems of our trip throughout the Coromandel Pennisula was Waiau Falls, which is located off highway 309.The falls are about 15km outside of the city of Coromandel, and have free admission. There are walking tracks on either side of the falls, but it only takes 2 minutes to get from the road to the falls and is fairly easy.The last couple steps down to the falls are tricky, but the view is worth it!

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OVER THE PASS TO COROMANDEL

by balhannah

At the town of Waihi, we started following Highway 25 which took us to Cathedral Cove and as far as we could go on this side of the Peninsula. The scenery was lovely, then we had to go over the high pass and down the other side to the town of Coromandel. The views are great, especially as you come down into Coromandel. From here, you follow Highway 25 along the scenic coast road, worth the drive!

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CATHEDRAL COVE

by balhannah

We had seen Cathedral Cove on many documentaries, so we had to see it for ourselves!Cathedral cove is only accessible by walking or boat and it is a MUST VISIT if you feel you can handle the walk. It is uphill and down dale, so you need to be reasonably fit without leg or knee problems. It is about 2hrs return, it seemed a lot longer than that to us!The track begins at the northern end of Hahei and we were able to access Gemstone Bay, Mares Leg and Cathedral Cove. A very nice area!

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THE LOVELY TOWN OF TAIRUA

by balhannah

Tairua, not big, but I loved it straight away, it was so pretty! It had River & Beach!The Tairua River - located in the Puketui Valley, by the main Thames road, had nice picnic areas and if you don't like swimming in the sea, you could swim here. . Mt. Paku - this volcanic peak dominates the harbour. You can climb it, and I did, the views were simply amazing! The track is steep, only took about 20mins, and it is well worth it! THIS IS A MUST if you are in this town.

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KARANGAHAKE GORGE

by balhannah

The Karangahake Gorge is located on state highway 2, 5kms from Waihi. It is the site of the original Gold Rush in 1875 and has a lot of mining history. I walked part of the Karangahake Historic Walkway that follows part of the old Paeroa to Waihi railway line. I saw som old relics of the gold rush days in the forest. The walkways we easy walking, it was nice and peacefull walking alongside the Ohinemuri River under the huge Tree ferns in the peace and quiet, just the Birds & me!There are three points of entry to the walkway, each with car parks. These are located at Karangahake (across the Ohinemuri River at the Crown Battery site); Owharoa Falls, off Waitawheta Road; and the Waikino Historic Station and Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre has displays featuring the gold mining and timber history of the general area, as well as information on walks and other facilities in nearby parks and...

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MOUNT MARTHA GOLD MINE

by balhannah

Following Highway 2 and heading north from Katikati, we came to the small town of Waihi. The surprise here, was the huge Gold mine that was still in operation! The Martha open pit mine, is the largest gold and silver producing mine in New Zealand's history. The Martha open pit has produced over 7.5 million oz of gold and 54 million oz of silver and is due to be closed by 2009, I don't know if it has.We found it very interesting sitting on a seat at the lookout above this large open - cut mine. The huge trucks, looked like tiny ants as they wound their way to the bottom of the mine. Locted at the lookout is one of the large dump trucks.Well worth a look at if still operating!

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A little bit quirky but it's all right

by iandsmith

One thing you can't fail to notice here and there are embankments made of empty bottles. The rumour around is that Barry drank most of them and the paintwork reading "Barry's" emblazoned across a couple of hundred bottles embedded in one probably reflects that .The railway employs around a dozen people these days. It zig-zags up the slopes at seemingly random angles but there was always a purpose, the purpose of dreamers to continually move on to greener fields. Thus it is that the railway today finishes at Eyefull Tower, a wooden platform area with expansive views over Coromandel and beyond, but en route it encompasses overbridges (where you go over the top of where you just came from), zig-zags (where you come to a stop, change the points and then reverse ever higher) and tunnels with bas reliefs, the funniest one being a light, naturally enough placed at the end of one of the tunnels...

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Getting your mojo at Moko

by iandsmith

"You really must go to Moko." Our host at Tairua said so on many more than one occasion. So, on our last full day we made the effort. Jenny (from Colonial Homestay) hit the nail on the head. It was worthwhile.This wonderful eclectic mix of art almost seems out of place in this dead end setting but it has become almost as large an attraction as Hot Water Beach itself, which only seems appropriate for those who have read my previous tip!There's just such a fine range with vibrant colours, individualistic designs and many manifestations of different media.So, to coin a phrase, if you go to Hot Water Beach, "You really must go to Moko".I loved the sign in pic 5 too by the way, very rustic.

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Cathedral Cove - getting there

by iandsmith

Cathedral Cove was one of three places that continually came up in conversation about Coromandel so it was with malice aforethought that I made for the extensive carpark on the cliff where one alights before commencing the half hour walk to the beach.It was on a sparkling Sunday when we glanced across the flashing ocean tips to the islands beyond.The well formed track wound back and forth around the headlands, at times affording rural views, at other times water glimpses.At one stage we came to a recently lopped tree (pic 5) which you could almost believe had been removed to (a) improve the view and (b) make a poser point for tourists.

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Fun things to do in Coromandel

Top 3 Hotels in Coromandel

Beach Motel & Cabins  Whitianga

 2 Reviews and 5 Opinions  The accomodation was basic and furnishing basic and dated but in good working conditions. The BBQ on... 

 Hotels in Whitianga

Breakers Motel Whangamata  Whangamata

 38 Opinions

 Hotels in Whangamata

Harbour View Motel  Coromandel

 1 Review and 65 Opinions  An older motel, but immaculately kept an very appealing, with panoramic harbour views. This is one... 

 Hotels in Coromandel

83 Hotels in Coromandel
 
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Reviews and photos of Coromandel attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Coromandel sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Coromandel
  1. Whangamata Things to Do
  2. Whitianga Things to Do
  3. Waihi Beach Things to Do
  4. Waihi Things to Do
  5. Kauaeranga Things to Do
  6. Coromandel Things to Do
  7. Thames Things to Do
  8. Cooks Beach Things to Do
  9. Hahei Things to Do

More Cities in Coromandel

 

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Q:  We have a bach at new years at whangamata but the condition is we need a parent. We will pay for rent etc its just that we need... 

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