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Top things to do in Coromandel

coromandel

The Coromandel is a coastal area of the Northern Island of New Zealand. It is known for its incredible and pristine beaches and beautiful forests. It should be on your list of places to visit while traveling around New Zealand.

top things to do in coromandel

Cathedral Cove

The Cathedral Cove is an absolutely beautiful experience. Begin by parking at the parking area on top of Cathedral hill in Hahai, then walking down to the beach. Note that the walk from the parking area is actually a bit of a hoof, it’s about a mile and a half one way along a paved path so it’s not difficult but you don’t just park and rock up to the cove. Bear this in mind when choosing your footwear. Once you do get down to the water, however, you’re rewarded with spectacular views. There are side tracks along the water to Gemstone Bay (not actually gemstones) and Stingray Beach (we did not see any stingrays but they allegedly frequent the place). Despite the somewhat exaggerated names, they are worth the extra walking as the whole area is quite stunning. People kayak in the area which seems like a great option, and boat tours can be done as well, though we opted to remain on foot (and in the water ourselves).

Cathedral Cove has an enormous archway, from which you can see the epic Te Hoho Rock. During high tide the archway does flood, so try to time your visit around that if possible so you aren’t disappointed, though the whole walk is worth doing regardless. People swim out to various points so exploring on your own is great, just make sure you’re comfortable with wherever you decide to swim off to!

Hot Water Beach

After spending a few days in New Zealand you’ll come to expect things out of the ordinary, but Hot Water Beach on Coromandel will still surprise even the most seasoned traveler. Geothermal activity near the beach means you can essentially dig your own hot tub, as hot water from below the surface of the Earth will warm up the ocean water. It’s extremely strange. Also, this isn’t a really great place for anyone who relates to Goldilocks. The hot water coming up is extremely hot, and the further you dig, the hotter it gets, and digging into the sand with your hands becomes quite unpleasant. The ocean there, by contract, is extremely cold. So for a few moments you may get a pleasant, hot tub feeling but otherwise you tend to be either mildly boiling or slightly freezing. The best tip would be to make friends with people who are there, as those who are leaving may have dug out a usable hot tub for you. Starting from srcatch isn’t necessarily the most rewarding experience of the day.

For those willing to spend on their geothermal experience, they can check out The Lost Spring which features geo-thermal pools, day spa and a restaurant. It may be easier than digging out your own hot tub but it comes at a cost. Visits to the pool start around $45 pp NZD (and must be booked in advance) and go from there depending on how much time you want to spend and how fancy you want to get. 

The Pinnacles

Because if you’re in New Zealand you’re probably there for some hiking and natural beauty, the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (aka Pinnacles Walk) allows you to follow up an old packhorse route up to stunning views of the entire peninsula at the Pinnacles lookout. The hike is about 12km (9.5 miles) total and takes 6ish hours round-trip (depending on how fast you go and how photo happy you get at the top. You gain 1100m (3600 feet) of elevation so your legs will be feeling it by the end. By contrast, the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing while longer, gains only 765m (2,510 feet) on it’s ascent to the top. There is also an option to stay at the Pinnacles Hut at the summit to make this an overnight expedition for those who are interested in that sort of thing. Bookings must be made in advance and lodging is bunk style (and there is no hot water) so expectations should be set accordingly.