A weekend trip from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula offers the perfect blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation. We’ve created an itinerary to help you make the most of your weekend away!
Morning:
Start your journey early from Auckland, which is a 2 to 3-hour drive to Coromandel Town, depending on traffic. Consider stopping in Thames, a charming halfway point, for a quick break. If you’re up for a challenge, the Pinnacles hike offers an adventurous start to your trip.
Midday:
Arrive in Coromandel Town around midday. Take some time to explore this quaint town, known for its artsy vibe and charming galleries. You might enjoy visiting the Coromandel Historical Museum to learn about the area’s rich history, including its gold mining past. If the weather is warm, consider a refreshing dip at Oamaru or Waitete Bay—more beach options are available in our ‘Top Beaches’ article.
Afternoon:
Spend your afternoon at Driving Creek Railway, Pottery, and Zipline for a unique experience. Enjoy a scenic train ride through native forests while learning about Driving Creek’s history, or, if you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, try the zipline tour. For those inclined towards creativity, a beginner pottery class might be just the thing. Driving Creek has something for everyone!
For lunch, consider one of the local eateries, such as Weta or Umu.
Evening:
A sunset walk around the Kauri block walk is a lovely way to end your day. This 1.5 km walk starts with a steep uphill climb that rewards you with stunning views of the sun setting over the ocean.
Check into your accommodation—Coromandel Town offers a range of options, from cozy B&Bs and boutique hotels to holiday parks. For a luxurious stay, Buffalo Lodge is a great option, while both the Coromandel Top 10 Holiday Park and Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park offers a relaxed family vibe.
End your day with dinner at a local restaurant or pub. The Pepper Tree Restaurant or the Star and Garter Pub are both excellent choices.
Morning:
Start your day with a short 20-minute drive from Coromandel Town to Waiau Falls and Kauri Grove along the 309 Road. You’ll find a beautiful waterfall (perfect for a swim if you’re brave enough to face the cold!). Nearby, the Kauri Grove walk offers a chance to see some of the largest Kauri trees in the region.
Midday:
Continue along the 309 Road until you reach Whitianga. The Lost Springs Day Spa is a must-do in Whitianga, offering relaxation and calm. Afterward, stretch your legs along the Whitianga waterfront and grab lunch at one of the local spots. Blue Ginger, a popular Asian fusion restaurant, or Grace O’Malley’s, a classic Irish pub, are both excellent options.
Afternoon:
After lunch, begin your drive back to Auckland, aiming to arrive home in the afternoon. This will give you plenty of time to unwind and reflect on your Coromandel adventure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Coromandel is renowned for its picturesque golden sand beaches. Cathedral Cove, Hahei, Whangamata and Hot Water Beach are world-famous and very popular. However, The Coromandel is full of other hidden beaches that allow you to escape the crowds, so here are Driving Creek’s top 6 hidden beaches to give you a few ideas of places to visit.
While we love to share our beautiful beaches, please remember to care for them by leaving them as pristine as you found them and keep to the Tiaki Promise.
Little Bay is a small 660 metre long beach located in between Tuateawa and Waikawau. Its charming character includes a mussel buoy with books to read and swap hanging from a pohutukawa tree, and usually a pontoon floating in the water to relax on. The bay also allows freedom camping- how unreal would it be to wake up with such a stunning view right on the water?!
Getting there:
From Coromandel Town head towards Waikawau, the drive is approximately 55 minutes. The bay is located where Tuateawa Road meets Waikawau Beach Road. Directions are available on maps too.
Opito Bay is a sandy beach with a gorgeous cove tucked just around the corner. Crayfish Bay is the perfect spot to go exploring and climb over the unique rock formations that make this bay special. The water is clear and the rockpools make it an ideal spot to swim and snorkel. The rocky ledge also makes for the perfect jumping spot. There is a small ladder attached to the sides of the rocks to help you climb back up; however, be aware of the swell and the sharp rocks while getting out of the water.
Getting there:
From Coromandel Town, Opito Bay is a 45-minute drive. To get around to Crayfish Bay, walk along Opito Beach towards the Pa- roughly 100 metres before the end of the beach, you will see a faint track marked with a sign pointing you over the fence to Crayfish Bay. Climb over the fence and follow the grassy path across the farmland to Crayfish Bay.
New Chums, or Wainuiototo, is a secluded beach only accessible by foot. New Chums can be busy over the peak of summer but are mostly remote the rest of the year. The journey is a combination of rock hopping and walking through native bush including an impressive grove of Nikau, New Zealand’s native palm. When you reach the beach you are greeted with insane views, white sand, clear water and shade offered by an abundance of lush pohutukawa trees. Climb up the rugged and steep track off the small saddle between Whangapoua and New Chums to the viewpoint for unforgettable coastal scenery. Take along a ball to have a friendly game of volleyball, a book to read while soaking up the sun or a hammock to sway in the trees. The waves here are thrilling so be sure to be a confident swimmer if the swell is up; however, plenty of fun is offered by this hidden gem.
Getting there:
From Coromandel Town, drive to the nearby Whangapoua beach (roughly a 25-minute drive). Drive to the far end of Whangapoua and park in the signed area. Head along the beach, cross the stream and continue to follow the rocky shoreline until it meets the path. Follow along the track and into the bush, then down onto the beach. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes, but it is worth it for the reward waiting at the end.
Looking for a short trip out of Coromandel Town? Waitete is the perfect spot for a swim or a small escape from the town. Waitete Bay is a beautiful sandy beach hidden away from the masses. A classic Kiwi beach, great for quiet days when you want to enjoy some peace.
Getting there:
From Coromandel Town, head towards Amodeo Bay and turn left at the old sign. There's a gravel road about 200 metres long that will take you to the beautiful bay.
Port Jackson is at the northern tip of the peninsula. It is where the Coromandel Coastal Walkway is based, so if you are a fan of mountain biking or hiking, this beach is for you! The incredible coastal walk takes 3.5 hours one way to Port Charles and encompasses the full beauty and remoteness by capturing the bush, farmland and coastline of the upper Coromandel Peninsula. Be prepared for an easy gradient to begin followed by short steep sections into and out of bays along the way. Stony Bay and Fletchers Bay mark the start and end points of the track and are great places to cool off after your adventures.
Getting there:
From Coromandel, follow Colville Road north to Colville Bay. From there, take Port Jackson Road to Fletcher Bay or Port Charles Road for 20 km to Stony Bay.
For more information, head to the DOC website.
If you are in search of the perfect spot for a beach day, Otama is the place: glorious golden sand, pohutukawa trees offering shade and tame waves to swim or surf in for hours. Pack a picnic and take your hammock along for the ideal beach day. There is an estuary nearby for families with younger kids to splash in the shallow waters and sand perfect for building sand castles. It is one of the more accessible beaches and very family-friendly or ideal spot for a relaxed beach day.
Getting there:
Otama is located 35 minutes from Coromandel Town. Wind your way over the hill towards Whitianga and turn off onto Blackjack Road, in Kuaotunu. Keep heading along Otama Beach until you reach the far end where you can turn off into a car park and head down the beach access.
If you’re looking for more beaches go and check out https://thecoromandel.com/activities/beaches/ for a comprehensive collection of The Coromandel's many beaches.