Things to do in Coromandel

Q: What are the top activities in Coromandel?

Top activities in Coromandel include: Adventurous Zipline Tour in Coromandel Coromandel Peninsula Highlights Small Group Tour from Auckland

Playground on the peninsula

You’ve probably seen images of the Coromandel without even knowing it: Cathedral Cove’s arches and rock formations are one of New Zealand’s most photographed natural features. But there are many more things to do in the Coromandel besides this iconic spot. Just east of Auckland, this popular peninsula is a summer playground home to beautiful beaches, natural hot springs, rugged forested mountains, and hiking trails. Add in a rich gold-mining and kauri-milling history, and thriving arts communities and you'll see there’s a lot to love about the Coromandel.

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Top activities in Coromandel

Adventurous Zipline Tour in Coromandel

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Coromandel Peninsula Highlights Small Group Tour from Auckland

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All about Coromandel

When to visit

The Coromandel is very busy in the summer as it’s popular with international tourists and Aucklanders—it’s only a 1.5-hour drive from the big city. While this is an ideal time to enjoy the beaches, it can get crowded; accommodation is usually booked out, especially in the school holidays from late December to early February. Visit in late spring (November) or early autumn (March) to enjoy the weather without huge crowds.

Getting around

Self-driving is by far the easiest way of getting around the Coromandel. Limited shuttles and inter-city buses also ply the peninsula, but having your own wheels provides greater flexibility. State Highway 25 loops around the peninsula and the interior is covered in forest and mountains, so is fairly impenetrable. While most travelers stick to places on or near SH25, there’s plenty more to explore in the north beyond Coromandel Town, along more rural roads.

Traveler tips

The Coromandel’s particular geography—on a peninsula with a rugged interior—has proven to be a problem in recent years. There’s only one major road around its perimeter, which has suffered major damage from cyclones and other extreme weather events. Some popular walking tracks have been closed, either temporarily or for longer periods. Repairs have tended to be slow and not always long-lasting. Before making concrete plans to travel to the Coromandel, check the access status and the progress of repairs.

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People Also Ask

Is Coromandel Town worth visiting?

Yes, Coromandel Town is worth visiting on your travels around the Coromandel Peninsula. The small town is located on the north-western coast of the peninsula, at the end of State Highway 25’s loop. It’s a historic gold-mining and kauri-milling town with some old buildings that now mainly house art galleries and boutiques.

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What is there to do in the Coromandel, New Zealand in the rain?

Many people come to the Coromandel to enjoy the great outdoors, so don’t let a bit of rain spoil your hiking, biking, or kayaking adventures. But if it’s wet, you could visit Hot Water Beach on the east coast, The Lost Spring in Whitianga, the Thames Historical Museum, Miranda Hot Springs or The Goldmine Experience in Thames, or wineries around the region.

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What is the Coromandel, New Zealand known for?

New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula is known for its beautiful beaches and forests, its gold-mining history, its geothermal waters (especially at Hot Water Beach on the east coast), and its spectacular Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. It’s also famous for some great hiking tracks, including the Coromandel coastal walkways and the Pinnacles climb.

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How many days do you need in Coromandel, New Zealand?

3–5 days is an ideal amount of time to spend on the Coromandel Peninsula. If you just want to see highlights such as Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, you’ll only need a couple of days. But there are many lovely beaches, walks, and historic towns along State Highway 25’s loop around the peninsula, so it’s worth extending your stay.

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Where should I base myself in the Coromandel, New Zealand?

The most popular place to stay in the Coromandel is Whitianga; Whangamata, Thames, and Coromandel Town are also popular. Whitianga is ideally located for sightseeing on the peninsula and there are more accommodation options around each of the towns, but they can get very busy in summer. Book well in advance, or seek accommodation off the beaten path.

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Where is the most popular spot in the Coromandel, New Zealand?

Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are the most popular spots in the Coromandel. So much so that they tend to suffer from over-tourism, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Unfortunately, ground access to Cathedral Cove has also been temporarily closed for safety reasons. Visit on a boat trip or head to other beautiful beaches throughout the peninsula.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the top activities in Coromandel?

Top activities in Coromandel include:

What are the top things to do near Coromandel?

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