Things to Do in the Coromandel

Things to Do in the Coromandel: this green, wild peninsula east of Auckland is ringed by golden beaches, misty forested mountains and slow-paced small towns, so it is easy to see why the region calls itself “good for your soul”. Walk to Mautohe Cathedral Cove, dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, ride the Driving Creek Railway, hike the Pinnacles and cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. It’s a short drive from Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua, yet it feels a world away.

Experience the Coromandel

• Golden beaches and marine reserves
• Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove
• Bush walks, waterfalls and the Pinnacles
• The Hauraki Rail Trail
• Seafood, art galleries and village markets

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

• Walk or kayak to Mautohe Cathedral Cove
• Dig your own hot pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach
• Ride the Driving Creek Railway up to the Eyefull Tower
• Hike the Pinnacles through native forest
• Cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail through the Karangahake Gorge
• Explore Whenuakura (Donut Island) wildlife sanctuary by water

Where to Experience It in the Coromandel

The peninsula is a loop of small towns, so the easiest way to plan your things to do in the Coromandel is by town and theme.

• Hahei and Cathedral Cove: Mautohe Cathedral Cove sits within the Te Whanganui-o-Hei marine reserve. You can walk in, or arrive by boat, kayak or water taxi. See Boat Cruises & Water Activities.
• Hot Water Beach: geothermal water rises through the sand, so visitors dig their own pool around low tide. Check the official tide times first. See Wildlife & Beaches.
• Whitianga and Mercury Bay: a base for boat tours, diving and snorkelling, plus the passenger ferry across to Cooks Beach and Ferry Landing.
• Coromandel Town and the north: Driving Creek Railway, a narrow-gauge line through regenerating native forest, plus art galleries and a zipline tour. See Heritage & Art.
• Thames: a gold-mining heritage town on the Firth of Thames, and home of the Steampunk The Thames festival.
• Tairua and Pāuanui: beaches, harbour views and mountain walks.
• Whangamatā: surf beaches, the Whangamatā Ridges Mountain Bike Park, and island tours to Hauturu and Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary (Donut Island). See Cycling & Mountain Biking.
• Waihī and Karangahake Gorge: the Hauraki Rail Trail passes through the gorge’s old railway tunnels, with gold heritage trails nearby.
• Walks: the Pinnacles, the Coromandel Coastal Walkway and Wainuiototo (New Chum Beach). See Walking & Hiking and Nature.
• Adventure: Sleeping God Canyon, zipline tours and sea cave cruises. See Active & Adventure.

Events in the Coromandel

The Coromandel runs a busy calendar of festivals, markets and races, so there are always things to do in the Coromandel that fit your travel dates.

Signature events

• Repco Beach Hop, Whangamatā, late March. New Zealand’s biggest celebration of the 1950s and 60s, with hot rods, classic cars and rock and roll. It ran 25–29 March in 2026.
• Whitianga Oceans Festival and Coromandel Seafood Festival. Celebrations of local kaimoana.
• A Taste of Matarangi. A chance to sample local delicacies.
• Steampunk The Thames. A steampunk-themed festival in Thames.
• Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo, and Keltic Fair. Two Scottish- and Celtic-themed events.
• Waihī Veg Fest. A festival in Waihī.

Active events

• Whitianga RunFest (circles Mercury Bay), Whangamatā Half Marathon, Trail Trilogy in the Karangahake Gorge and the Nugget Challenge in Waihī.
• ECHO Walking Festival. A walking festival.

Arts and seasons

• Coromandel Arts Tour, autumn. Meander through art studios and galleries.
• Mercury Bay Art Escape, spring. A second arts weekend, on the Mercury Bay side.
• Summer: beach digs, carnivals, markets and music gigs.
• Matariki: see the official Matariki events page.

The Coromandel After Dark

With little light pollution, the peninsula is a good place to look up. Hours change, so confirm with each operator.

• Stargazing: the official site has a Stargazing Trail map and a list of stargazing experiences.
• Glowworms: the region’s official guide explains where to find them after dark.

Free Things to Do in the Coromandel

Many of the Coromandel’s best experiences are outdoors. Parking fees and tour costs can apply.

• Beaches: beach-hop around the peninsula, including Wainuiototo (New Chum Beach).
• Coromandel Coastal Walkway: a coastal walk near Whitianga.
• Karangahake Gorge: walks among old gold-mining relics.
• Hauraki Rail Trail: a trail for walking or cycling.

Eat & Drink in the Coromandel

Seafood is the star, backed by local producers, village cafés and weekend markets. Official guides cover pies worth the detour, the best coffee and ice cream treats.

• Sample local seafood at festivals such as the Whitianga Oceans Festival.
• Explore the region’s wineries, breweries and distilleries and local produce markets.
• Browse more at Food & Wine.

The Coromandel by Season

Here are the best things to do in the Coromandel in each season, based on the official events calendar.

• Summer (Dec–Feb): beach days, hot-pool digs, carnivals, markets and gigs. Book early and expect busy car parks at Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
• Autumn (Mar–May): Repco Beach Hop and the Coromandel Arts Tour.
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Matariki events and quieter trails.
• Spring (Sep–Nov): the Mercury Bay Art Escape and fresh green walks. For national dates such as Waitangi Day, Matariki and Great Walks season, see New Zealand Festivals.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Cathedral Cove: you can reach the beach only on foot (about one hour each way) or by sea, on a kayak, water taxi or boat. The Park & Ride shuttle runs from the Hahei Visitor Car Park to the track start, at $8 return for adults, free for children 14 and under.
• Hot Water Beach: best around low tide, so check the official tide times. Parking at the Main Beach and Taiwawe car parks is pay and display.
• Getting around: a car or campervan is the best way to see the peninsula. Public transport is limited, though daily buses pass through.
• Roads: winding coastal and inland roads, so allow extra time. =
• By air: Barrier Air flies Auckland to Whitianga, and Sunair flies from Tauranga.
• By water: a seasonal passenger ferry runs from Auckland to Coromandel Town in about 2 hours. The Whitianga ferry carries passengers and bikes, but no cars.
• Travel app: the official Hauraki Coromandel Travel App shows road status, tides and trail alerts.

Driving times

• Auckland to Thames: about 1 hour 30 minutes, then about 1 hour more to Whitianga, Whangamatā or Coromandel Town
• Hamilton and Rotorua to the southern end of the region: within about 90 minutes
• Thames to Coromandel Town: 60 minutes · Coromandel Town to Whitianga: 50 minutes
• Whitianga to Tairua: 40 minutes · Tairua to Whangamatā: 35 minutes · Whangamatā to Waihī: 35 minutes

Combine the Coromandel With

The Coromandel is a short drive from several major regions, so it pairs well with:

• Auckland – about 90 minutes to Thames, and the usual gateway
• Waikato & Waitomo – Hamilton is within about 90 minutes of the region’s southern end
• Bay of Plenty – Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, a short drive on from Waihī
• Rotorua – Māori culture and geothermal wonders, also within 90 minutes of the southern end

Popular themes in the Coromandel

Wildlife & Beaches · Walking & Hiking · Cycling & Mountain Biking · Boat Cruises & Water Activities · Active & Adventure

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