Coromandel
Peninsula
The
Coromandel Peninsula is the finger of land which separates the
The Hauraki Gulf and The Bay of Plenty.
The history of the area since European settlement was
based on the extraction of gold and timber, these days things
are much quieter and relaxed, there's probably not much gold
left with the exception of Waihi, but there are still plenty
of trees. With the more coastal areas being used for farming
and 'lifestyle' properties. Thames is the western gateway town
at the head of the Firth of Thames. The western edge of the
Firth is known as the Seabird Coast with over 100 species
either living permanently or wintering over on the salt-water
shallows and mud flats. Visit the Miranda Shorebird Centre
for more information.
The
town of Thames has all commercial services and has a
population of about 7,000. There are lots of historic sites,
including the operational gold stamp and some interesting buildings remain. The drive up the
Western side of the peninsula is scenic with views across the
bay to offshore Islands. The beaches are shallow and fringed
with ancient Pohutakawa trees, which flower around Christmas
time. Most of the settlements along this road are very small,
some just a few houses. Coromandel Township is also relatively
small with a permanent population of only around 1,000 people,
but has all the necessaries including a superette, petrol
station and Bank.
Only
a couple of roads cross the divide between east and west, all
have sections that are winding and/or unsealed even Highway
25. The eastern beach resorts of Whitianga, Pauanui and Whangamata
have sheltered waters and sandy beaches and are
popular spots for swimming and boating. Waihi is known more
for its surf.
The
eastern side of the peninsula features some more substantial
settlements at Whitianga, Tairua/Pauanui, Whangamata and Waihi/
Waihi Beach.
Whitianga
has a population of about 4,000 and is located on the
shores of Mercury Bay, a sheltered harbour with wharf and
marina. A passenger ferry (no cars), runs to and from “Ferry
Landing” and Flaxmill Bay, with a shuttle connection
operating to Cooks Beach, Hahei, Hot Water Beach and Cathedral
Cove. Visitors staying in these locations would most likely
want to take their vehicle via the road route (approx 40km).
Mercury Bay has a craft trail with a brochure available from
the Whitianga Information Centre. At Hot Water Beach south of
Hahei you can dig yourself your own hot water pool 2
hours either side of low tide – note the ‘dangerous
swimming’ signs.
Tairua/Pauanui
are located on either side of the mouth of Tairua Harbour
with a passenger ferry service operating between the two.
Tairua is the original township with Pauanui having grown due
to the establishment of holiday homes and New Zealand’s
first canal housing development. The harbour provides
sheltered waters for for boating and both settlements have
beaches suitable for swimming and surfing.
Whangamata’s
location offers close proximity to both beach and rainforest.
The beach is known for it’s good surfing breaks and safe
swimming. Just offshore is a section of the Pacific Ocean
popular for ‘big game’ and recreational fishing. A local
craft trail brochure is available from the Information Centre.
Waihi
(township) features some interesting historical buildings,
due to it’s goldmining past. A fully productive gold mine,
the Martha Mine is still active – though may not be
immediately apparent. The Martha Mine produced 85,000 oz of
gold and 680,00 oz of silver in the 1998 year. Tours of the
mine are available. Ph (07) 863 9880. www.marthamine.com.au.
Nearby is Waihi Beach, which has its own surfside
community adjacent to the white sand beach.
Forest,
Maritime & National Parks in the Coromandel Region
A
large area of the peninsula is now included in the Coromandel
Forest Park. There are some fine examples of Kauri
trees are accessible to visitors, some beside the 309
Road, which heads inland just south of Coromandel and others
off the Tapu to Coroglen Road.
Marine
Reserves and Diving, Coromandel Peninsula
This
is located off the coast near Hahei Beach, access to the
marine reserve and Cathedral cove is from the look-out. There
are many areas around the peninsula popular with divers, from
the north west region, around the tip of the penindula and
down the eastern shoreline to the Sho and Slipper Islands
Other
items of interest
Thames
has a craft and produce market which operates every Saturday
morning at Grahamstown, Pollen treet, Thames.
Kauaeranga
Valley, inland from
Thames has numerous walking tracks and picnic areas.
Karaka
Bird Hide is near the
Goldfields Shopping Mall in Brown Street. A walk through the
Mangroves takes you to a hide where you can view the bird
life.
Coromandel
Craft Trail. A guide to
Coromandel Craft People. See over two dozen crafts people
working in their studios.
North
of Coromandel a partly unsealed road take you out onto the
peninsula tip. The area is known as the Pohutakawa Cape.The
road is not a complete circuit but is split into a road around
the west to Fletchers Bay and a road to the east, to Stony
Bay. At the end of Stony Bay Road a walking track climbs to
the Mt Moehau summit area, but access is not permitted on the
actual summit as this is sacred Maori land.
Hot
Water Beach south of Hahei. For 2 hours either side of low tide you can dig your
own hot water pool. Note the 'dangerous swimming' signs.
Martha
Mine, Waihi. A modern
operating mine extracting 85,000 oz of gold and 680,000 oz of silver (in the 1998
year). Tours are available. In addition to the modern
operation the town of Waihi has an olde-worlde feel about it
with some historic buildings remaining from the original
mining operation, including the old Pump House. Phone:
(07) 863 9880
Website: www.marthamine@normandy.com.au