Coromandel & Bay of Plenty Holidays

Where are Coromandel & the Bay of Plenty?
The Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty are located in the east of New Zealand’s North Island. The Coromandel Peninsula can be reached by a 2-hour scenic ferry ride from Auckland, although most people opt to self-drive the 3.5 hours. The Bay of Plenty lies to the south of the Coromandel and it’s a leisurely 3-hour drive to Tauranga from Coromandel Town.

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Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Town is the main settlement on the peninsula. It’s a quaint town with plenty of Victorian architecture, remnants of when it was a busy logging and gold rush town. Inspired by the dramatic scenic beauty that surrounds the town, it’s become a haven for artists. View murals and pottery sculptures from the Driving Creek Railway, New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge train journey or hike one of the many trails to discover the natural wonders of the peninsula.

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Hiking
Explore the natural landscapes and beautiful scenery of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty on foot. There are many walking trails to showcase New Zealand’s flora and fauna. The Coromandel Coastal Walkway connects Stony and Fletcher Bays and takes 3.5 hours one way through native bush and along scenic coastal paths. From Tauranga, you can hike around Mount Maunganui although the trek to the summit is definitely worth the effort for the views across to Matakana Island.

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Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove is one of the most photographed attractions on the Coromandel Peninsula. This dramatic natural archway, connecting two secluded coves, is reached by a 1-hour walk from Hahei Beach. There’s a wonderful beach here and a perfect spot for swimming. Offshore, the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve has an innovative snorkelling trail, with buoys giving information on what to expect below the surface.

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Hot Water Beach
Located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, Hot Water Beach is a fitting description for what you will find here. You’ll need your swimwear and a spade (available for rent from one of the cafés) then head to the beach two hours either side of a low tide and start digging into the sand. Before long, you can sit in a pool of natural warm water, created by the heat from New Zealand’s thermal centre.

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The Bay
The dramatic coastline of The Bay of Plenty is where the Māori first landed. It’s perfect for beach lovers with plenty of places to surf, paddle board, swim and snorkel. Spend some time in Tauranga, a vibrant harbour city and New Zealand’s fifth largest, before heading across the harbour to Mount Maunganui. Mauao, the mountain itself, is steeped in Māori mythology and culture and it’s worth taking the hike to its summit for some spectacular coastal views. The area here is a popular place for swimmers, surfers and golfers.

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