Spring on The Coromandel is an amazing time to experience the very best the landscape has to offer, including some fantastic annual events that are worth booking well in advance for a weekend getaway. Sunlover Retreat in Tairua combines luxury with comfort, making it an excellent accommodation choice to take advantage of all the events and activities taking place in The Coromandel throughout the Spring season. Whether you are a foodie, a fitness fanatic or a fan of Coromandel art and culture, expect to experience The Coromandel as a sensational springtime destination.
For Foodies
Since 2004 the Scallop Festival had attracted seafood lovers from all over New Zealand. Based on grave concerns for the rapidly declining numbers and health of local scallops (and the subsequent closure of the fishery), the organisers took the opportunity to celebrate the sustainable bounty of the ocean in a more responsible way and the Whitianga Oceans Festival evolved. There are many ways to enjoy our seafood and you are bound to learn some of them at the festival, where you can witness and sample delicacies of the ocean cooked by well-known chefs, restaurants and community groups. Quality live entertainment, seafood cooking classes and demonstrations add to the flavour and fun of the one day festival, held annually in September with local venues staging events and theme nights in the four fringing days.
For Weekend Warriors
It’s no surprise The Coromandel attracts outdoor adventurers of all persuasions, given its stunning natural environment. The Coromandel backyard truly is an adventure playground - and there are several Spring events worth marking on the calendar and planning a weekend away around. See in the Spring with the annual Whangamatā Run/Walk festival, with a long tradition of fundraising for the community, held in early September. The event attracts an enthusiastic crowd of all ages and offers 5km, 10km and half marathon run/walk races.
If trail running (or walking) into the spectacular slopes and valleys of Karangahake Gorge sounds like your idea of fun, the Xterra Waihi is a fantastic weekend event, held annually in October. There are distances to suit all levels, from 8km to 43.5km. Running over historic swing bridges, past mine relics and alongside swift rivers makes for an unforgettable adventure, with refreshments, entertainment and an awesome Coromandel atmosphere waiting for you at the finish.
For Art and Culture Fans
Across the region, Creative Coromandel offers a rich programme of exhibitions, performing arts events and workshops, including superb New Zealand drama and music in the coromandel artbeat spring festival. Mercury Bay Art Escape has Open Studio events in March every year, but artists are open by appointment throughout the year, well worth a weekend visit . Visit their website to discover galleries and exhibitions you can visit during your stay.
This evocative piece is by well-known local artist, Ginney Deavoll
For Ultimate Indulgence
If the idea of all that activity over a weekend is exhausting, don’t worry, because Spring is also the perfect time to visit The Coromandel for a quiet getaway filled nothing but relaxation. Sunlover Retreat offers the ultimate Spring getaway stay and is an idyllic destination in which to enjoy Tairua’s mild Spring weather, long lazy days and unsurpassable sunsets. The award winning luxury B&B located in Tairua provides superior comfort to unwind, relax and soak up the scenery from a magnificent hillside deck. Hosts Donna and Chris Brooke are passionate about The Coromandel and eager to share their vast knowledge of Tairua, Hahei, Hot Water Beach and surrounds. For breakfast they focus on offering the best quality locally sourced and home-prepared ingredients to guests. Sunlover Retreat accommodation includes two beautifully appointed private suites with ensuite bathrooms and a comfortable lounge opening out onto a vast deck overlooking Tairua, Mt Paku and the rugged Coromandel skyline.
Whether you are planning a high-octane, full-itinerary weekend or a slow-paced pre-summer getaway, one thing is important. Book it in. A Coromandel Spring getaway is soon to be New Zealand’s worst-kept secret.