Best Free Activities in Coromandel Town

Coromandel Town has a range of attractions and activities visitors can do for free we would love to share with you.

Coromandel Town is a historic town known for its mixture of coast, native forest, history and artistry. It is a haven for talented artists and craftspeople inspired by the land and seascapes. Along with its broad range of paid tourism experiences, there are free attractions that draw people here too.

Here are some of Coromandel Town’s best must-do’s, hidden gems and local favourites to add to your Coromandel escape. Please remember to care for these incredible places by leaving them as pristine as you found them and keeping to the Tiaki Promise. 

Waiau Falls

Along the 309 Road lies the entrance to the Waiau Falls trail. You can walk through a beautiful lush bush to the stunning waterfall and deep pool below. If you’re feeling adventurous and keen on a refreshing plunge, this is the perfect adventure for you. The waterfall is a popular local swimming hole, so don’t forget your towel!

Getting there:

Waiau Falls is 10km from Driving Creek. To get there from Coromandel Town, head up the 309 Road towards Whitianga. Travel 7km along the 309 Road until you reach a parking space on the left hand side of the road where the track to the waterfall starts. You can also click Waiau Falls to open it in Google Maps.

Image of Waiau Falls in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do
Second image of Waiau Falls in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Waiau Kauri Grove

The Waiau Kauri Grove is a spectacular stand of Kauri trees that soar above the surrounding native forest, with the walkway starting 1km further along the road past Waiau Falls. These Kauri are of special significance to The Coromandel, being the largest easily accessible grove of mature Kauri in the region- they are truly magnificent. 

The track is very well formed with footbridges and boardwalks, which take you close to the trees while protecting their roots. An excellent walk for nature lovers. If you are planning on walking through the Kauri Grove, please be sure to use the wash stations and keep to the tracks to protect these ancient natural taonga from kauri dieback disease. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes each way and is a must-do experience.

Getting there:

The Waiau Kauri Grove is 10.2km from Driving Creek. To get there from Coromandel Town, head to the 309 Road. Travel 7.2km along the 309 Road, 200 metres past the waterfall, until you reach a parking space on the right hand side of the road. You can also click Waiau Kauri Grove to open it in Google Maps.

Image of Waiau Kauri Grove in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Kauri Block Walk

The Kauri Block offers you a fantastic panorama of land and sea with a variety of uphills and down. The walk follows a ridge through regenerating bush and native plantings beneath the Te Kauri Pā. The track forks 10–15 minutes in. 

If you head up the right-hand fork, you will reach the highest point- an old pa site that offers spectacular 360° views of ocean, islands, township and surrounding ranges. The left fork will keep you on the main track following the ridge through the bush until it emerges at Harbour View Rd. The entire walk takes one and a half hours at a gentle pace.

Getting there: 

The Kauri Block Walk is 3.4km from Driving Creek and close to the Coromandel Town centre. You can access the track from Harbour View Road. Park opposite the Kauri Block Walk sign in the gravel car park, and be sure to clean your footwear at the station provided to protect the Kauri trees. You can also click Kauri Block Walk to open it in Google Maps.

Image from the Kauri Block Walk in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do
Second image from the Kauri Block Walk in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Long Bay Walk

Another favourite walk of ours in Coromandel Town is from Long Bay, through Tuck's Bay and onto another Kauri Grove track. The walk is an easy 1-hr return loop along the coast with stunning ocean views and through beautiful bush, including a 1200-year-old kauri tree and many younger kauri. The walk is best done at high tide to encompass the best of both beach and bush, and offer the opportunity to cool off in the ocean afterwards. The Long Bay walk is also a spectacular sunset spot looking out across the Hauraki Gulf.

Getting there:

The Long Bay track is 5.5km from Driving Creek and starts by the Long Bay Campground. Parking is on the left hand side of the road by the beach. You can start the walk from either the north end of the beach or opposite the beach towards the forest. Clean your footwear at the easy to use shoe-cleaning station at each end of the bush section to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. You can also click Long Bay to open it in Google Maps.

Image from the Long Bay Walk in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do
Second image from the Long Bay Walk in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Pump Track and Bike Park

If you’re a keen biker or have a need for speed, then the Ride Coromandel Bike Park and pump track is the place for you with options for all levels. Using the network of mountain bike trails, flow trails, downhill and gravity jumps and pump tracks is free for all bikers. 

The family skills area is suitable for all levels of riders. There are also grade 2, grade 3 and grade 4 descent trails and two intermediate single tracks in the Kauri Block: Ara Tuatahi at 5.5km long and Rickers Return at about 1.8km. To protect against kauri dieback disease please pass through the wash station before you ride. You can take your own bike or rent a bike from Hike & Bike Coromandel, based in Coromandel town.

Getting there: 

The bike park is 4.1km from Driving Creek and based just a kilometre out of Coromandel town. You can either bike or drive there with parking available on site. You can also click Ride Coromandel Bike Park to open it in Google Maps.

Image of the Bike Park in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Going to the Beach!

The Coromandel peninsula is most known for its golden beaches and picturesque bays that make for the perfect summer’s day. A few of our favourite beaches within an hour of Coromandel Town include Little Bay, Opito Bay, Crayfish Bay, New Chums Beach, Waitete Bay, Port Jackson and Otama Beach. Check out our previous article about the Top 6 Beaches in The Coromandel for more information.

Image of New Chums Beach in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do
Image from the Opito Bay in Coromandel New Zealand to promote visitors to add this to their list of things to do

Looking for even more activities in The Coromandel?

Head over to The Coromandel to find even more awesome activities, both free and paid, that you can experience while visiting The Coromandel to make your trip even more incredible.