Regional Information and activities Coromandel Region, Coromandel, Waihi, Thames
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COROMANDEL REGION
- Region Overview
- Region Activities
The Coromandel Region
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
A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION
Nature &
Bird Watching,
Golf
Historical Sites,
Horse
Riding,
Water Activities
Other Waihi
Nature and Bird Watching
Miranda Shorebird Centre and Hot Springs situated in the
southwest corner of the Firth of Thames (approx 35 kms from
Thames). Walking trails to view migratory shore birds, also
interpretative visitor centre. The Miranda Springs hot mineral
pool is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
The Coromandel Peninsula has some fine examples of the New
Zealand native tree the Kauri, and to see most of them usually
requires at least a short walk, so we have listed them under
'Walks'
Butterfly and Orchid Garden, Victoria Street, Thames (within
Dickson Holiday Park) 3 km north of Thames. An exotic garden
with orchids, water lillies and butterflies flying around
you.
Enjoy Butterflies in New Zealand
Phone (07) 868 8080
Website: www.butterfly.co.nz
Operating out of Whangamata is Kiwi Dundee Adventures who
offer personalized guided walks in the Coromandel, hikes &
tours of 1 day, and 2-5 day options.
Phone: +64 (07) 865 8809.
Website: www.kiwidundee.co.nz
Historical Sites in The Coromandel Region
Thames offers a range of activities that take in the
Gold Mining History of the area including the Historical
Museum, the Thames Goldmine & Stamper Battery and the
Thames School of Mines Museum (see 'Walks below for
Rocky's Gold Mine Trail.)
Bush and Heritage Walks offer you personalised (daily)
guided tours that include everything you’re looking for
in the Waihi/Karangahake area. Experience the area with
us as you discover the heritage, secluded river valleys
and ocean bays.
Website:http://www.beach-bush-heritage.co.nz/
Coromandel has a fully operational 100 year old Gold
Stamper Battery, Buffalo Road, Coromandel
Website: http://www.goldmine-experience.co.nz/
Waihi Gold Mining Museum 54 Kenny St, WAIHI
Website: www.waihimuseum.co.nz
Waihi Water Lily Gardens
441 Pukekauri Rd, WAIHI
Phone: (07) 863 8267
Website: www.waterlily.co.nz
Waihi also has historical sites associated with its Gold
Mining past, the industry still flourishes today. There
is also the Goldfields Railway, 1 hour scenic train
journey between Waihi & Waikino
Phone: +64 (07) 863 9020
Website: www.waihirail.co.nz
Horse Riding in the Coromandel Region
Hunua Regional Park is Coromandel's largest forested
landscape. The Cosseys, Wairoa, Mangatawhiri and
Mangatangi Reservoirs supply huge quantities of fresh
water to the Coromandel Region. The Hunua Falls
Recreation Reserve is the start of a number of walks of
varying length and difficulty. . The Falls themselves
are a wonderful picnic spot with a swimming hole at the
base of the falls.
Wairoa Gorge has a firm track along the river bank and
lovely picnic sites and swimming holes.
Vining Track, 6kms (5-6 hours return), southern boundary
of Hunua Ranges, off road between Mangatangi and Kaiaua.
Through the Vining Scenic Reserve. with virgin bush and
with Kauri and Rata up to 1.8 metres in diameter. Climbs
to the Mangatangi Trig and involves some steep sections.
Golfing in the Coromandel Region.
Matarangi Golf Links, 20 minutes north of Whitianga
on the Matarangi Peninsula. A Bob Charles designed
course. Bookings essential during the holiday season.
Phone: +64 (07) 866 5394.
Mercury Bay Golf and Country Club, Golf Road Whitianga
Phone: +64 (07) 866 5479.
Waihi Golf Club
Cnr Woodland & Old Tauranga Rds, WAIHI
Phone: 07 863 8678
Website: www.waihi@nzgolf.net
Whangamata Golf Club
Phone: +64 (07) 865 8479
Cathedral Cove Sea Kayaking - Hahei
Sea Kayaking on the Coromandel Peninsula operating from
beautiful Hahei Beach. This Coromadel sea kayaking trip
explores a spectacular section of the Coromandel
Peninsula coastline including beautiful Cathedral Cove.
No kayaking experience is necessary.
Website: CLICK HERE
Papa Aroha Fishing and Kayaking, Coromandel, have self
drive hire boats, dinghies and kayaks, also operate half
and full day 6.5m Cat charter trips to off-shore
islands.
Phone: (07) 866 8818
Website:http://www.papaaroha.co.nz/html/adventures.htm
Cathedral Cove Dive, Whitianga, Coromandel Peninsula,
cater to beginners and certified divers with hire
equipment available. Dive in the Marine reserve or
outlying area
Phone: +64 (07) 866 3955
Website: http://www.hahei.co.nz/diving/
Seafari Windsurfing and Kayak Hire Whitianga. Beginners
tuition and/or hire equipment. - Windsurf in New
Zealand. Kayak in New Zealand.
Phone: +64 (07) 866 0677 - Mobile: 021 239 2107
Cave Cruzer. 23ft inflatable, coastal scenery, wildlife
and photo trip ex Whitianga Wharf.
Phone +64 (07) 866 2275
Mobile: 025 866 744
:Website: www.cavecruzer.co.nz
Stingray Charters P.O.Box 225 Whitianga Andy Kerr runs
an 8.5m custom built Rayglass out of one of NZ's premium
fishing locations, Mercury Bay, Whitianga,
Phone: 07 866 4493
E-mail: coozafish@xtra.co.nz
|
Stingray Charters P.O.Box 225
Whitianga
Andy Kerr runs an 8.5m
custom built Rayglass out of one of NZ's premium fishing
locations, Mercury Bay, Whitianga, |