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There
are many beautiful places
in the world - only a few
are special. With sparkling
azure waters, white sandy
beaches, tree lined coastal
roads and secluded bays
just waiting to be explored,
The Coromandel is one of
those special places - breathtaking
and unforgettable.
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** NEW** Te-Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve |
 Officially recognised as a marine reserve in 1992, Te Whanganui-A-Hei became the first marine reserve established on the Coromandel Peninsula.
The Reserve covers 9 square kilometres, from Hahei Beach to Cook Bluff Scenic Reserve and out to Motukorure and Mahurangi Islands. The boundaries are physically marked by large white posts placed on the islands and at each end of the mainland boundary.
This site was chosen for a marine reserve because of the rich and varied habitats associated with the coastline and outlying islands. Reefs of hard rock, soft sediments, intricate caves and underwater arches provide homes for complex communities of plants, crustaceans, molluscs and fish.
Sheltered from the worst of the southerly winds Te Whanganui-A-Hei gives visitors an opportunity to learn from and enjoy an unspoilt marine environment. There is no commercial or recreational fishing allowed inside the reserve, which has provided the marine life with an environment free of mankind. The marine life within the reserve is now rich and colourful.
Location:
Hahei, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone: 07 868 0017
www.thecoromandel.com
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** NEW** Our Discovery, By Two Great Navigators |
 The Mercury Bay area can boast to being one of the few areas in New Zealand to have been discovered by two of the worlds great navigators, Polynesian explorer ‘Kupe” and European explorer Captain James Cook.
The first Polynesian explorer to sight the Coromandel was reputed to be Kupe, traveling from eastern Polynesia in around 950 AD. Aboard his mighty double canoe, Matahorua, he sailed for over two weeks until he sighted what was later to be called Mt Moehau. Te Whitianga a Kupe was the original place name for Whitianga, meaning Kupe's crossing place. It is one of the few places in New Zealand to commemorate Kupe.
 Kupe later left Whitianga to return to his homeland, however many of Kupe's tribe settled here. 400 years after Kupe’s visit to Whitianga was Te Arawa, captained by Tama te-Kapua with Hei as the tauira (spiritual leader). Hei and his people stayed and settled the area and the descendents of his Ngati Hei tribe remain here today.
Captain Cook sailed into the Mercury Bay on the 3rd November 1769. Cook’s ship “Endeavour” was met by Ngati Hei canoes on arrival in the bay and some testy encounters resulted in a Maori warrior being killed in a trading exchange with the crew of the Endeavour. It was 7 days later, on the 9th November 1769 that Cook observed the transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun, hence the names of some of the region's beaches and bays - Mercury Bay and Cook's Beach.
Location:
Whitianga, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone: 07 868 0017
www.thecoromandel.com
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** NEW** More Than Simply A Swim In Hot Water |
 Alan Hopping had a dream, which after 17 years is now alive. For years camping ground owner Alan Hopping was fascinated by the thermal possibilities of the Coromandel Peninsula. He listened to anecdotes from Whitianga locals about hot springs lost and forgotten. Captivated by the stories and charged by the potential, Alan decided to take a chance.
In 1989 Alan and his team drilled down 500 meters. But this first well failed due to a major electrical fault. Undaunted, Alan continued to design and build the pool complex that would someday be fed by the warm waters beneath him.
 In 2001, Alan commenced his second drilling operation and again pierced the cap rock to find his hot water. But as the engineers extracted the gear from this second well, the drilling equipment dropped down the shaft and could not be retrieved. This well too had to be abandoned.
Finally, in 2006, 17 years after first striking hot water, Alan successfully drilled and capped this third well and now the dream of creating a Coromandel thermal attraction and first class health spa is alive.
The Lost Spring is a unique thermal hot water and spa experience located in Whitianga on the Coromandel. With its sculpted pools, soothing waterfalls, and smoking volcano, the Lost Spring offers more than simply a swim in hot water.
Location:
Whitianga, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
The Lost Spring
Phone: 07 866 0456
www.thelostspring.co.nz
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** NEW** Delight in coromandel Cuisine |
 The Coromandel ‘Homegrown Food Trail’ is a year round trail of the area’s major producers, cuisine businesses and top café’s. The Homegrown food trail is all about putting the public in touch with the major producers and the best places to indulge in Coromandel cuisine. From our famous oysters, mussels and scallops to macadamias and organic cheeses there is so much tucked away within our region.
The food trail was launched at the very successful Coastal Flavours and Vines, one of the last events of the first Coromandel Homegrown Festival.
 Most of the outlets have always had their gates open to the public, but for others like Cathedral Cove Macadamias, the new Food trail has been the impetus to them opening their doors to the public with a new shop on their orchard.
Location:
The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone: 07 868 0017
www.thecoromandel.com/homegrowntrail.html
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** NEW** Naturally Heartwarming |
 15 years ago Willem and Carla van de Veen chose to relocate their family from central Europe. They wanted an unpolluted and natural place for their family to grown up.
Willem and Carla now share their way of life with international visitors at Manawa Ridge – a Luxury Eco Lodge based near Waihi.
‘Naturally Heartwarming’ a stay at the lodge will be life changing on a number of levels – friendly hosts, a lesson in environmental housing (constructed from earthbrick and strawbale and recycled timber), organic food sourced from the farm – and completely removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Manawa Ridge has been hand built by the van de Veens – their story and the time shared with them will be memorable to say the least.
Location:
Waihi, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Willem and Carla van de Veen
Ph: 07 863 9400
www.manawaridge.co.nz
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** NEW** Underwater World |
 Darrell Bird is one of the characters of Whitianga, and someone extremely passionate about the local marine environment.
Dive HQ actively promotes the PADI Project Aware program through all of their activities. Project Aware teaches divers how to sustainably interact with aquatic resources and apply these skills to conservation.
Darrell is passionate about introducing people to the underwater world and says that in many cases it changes people’s complete perspective on how they live. It is even more evident with his Marine Academy – a group of high school students he teaches every year – “Teaching young people these important lessons early on, will encourage a sensible use of our environment in the future.”
He particularly enjoys introducing people to underwater photography in the Hahei Marine Reserve. The Marine Reserve was established as the second marine reserve in New Zealand and marine live is now thriving, and sustaining many fish stocks outside of the reserve as well.
Location:
Whitianga, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Dive HQ
Phone: 07 867 1580
www.divethecoromandel.co.nz
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Dig Your Own Hot Pool On The Beach |
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 Hot Water Beach is a truly unique Kiwi experience that every New Zealander should experience at least once in their lifetime!
An underground river of hot water flows from the interior of the earth to the surface in the Pacific Ocean at Hot Water Beach – a long beautiful white beach located between Tairua and Whitianga.
The stunning beach overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offshore Castle Rock, with Pohutukawa lined cliffs at either end of the beach.
Two hours either side of low tide visitors flock to the usually deserted Hot Water Beach to find hot water bubbling through the golden sand. Families, kids and couples can been seen digging their own spa pool in the sand to lie back in and relax while the steam from their hot pool envelops them. With the ebb and flow of the tide each individually created hot pool is washed away clearing the way for the next influx of visitors.
Location:
Hot Water Beach, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone: 07 868 0017
www.thecoromandel.com |
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 Over 60,000 people can’t be wrong – that is how many people flocked to the Southern Hemisphere’s most popular celebration of nostalgia in 2005.
The small surfy town of Whangamata jumps into life every April rekindling the fond memories many Kiwis have of the golden years – the 50’s and 60’s.
For a week Whangamata looks like a movie set straight out of Grease, with over 1500 polished hot rods croozin the main street, surfers hanging ten 60’s style on their longboards, the restaurants and café’s transformed to 60’s American diners and Rock n Roll bands from New Zealand and Australia bashing out tunes from a bygone era in the street.
Festival goers are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the festival, whether that is being part of the 60’s fashion show or Nostalgia golf competition, with all golfers in 60’s attire. Other events include a drive in movie, low brow art festival and nostalgia market.
 The cars though are the highlight of the festival with an organised cruise of the stunning loop around the Coromandel, night cruises around the streets of Whangamata and a huge grand parade down the main street of Whangamata before Saturday’s street festival.
The sounds and sights of the Beach Hop are an experience that every Kiwi should experience at least once, but like most Kiwi’s once you’ve had a taste of one Beach Hop you’ll be hooked and back for more!
Location:
Whangamata, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Phone or fax +64 (0)7 865 6522
Email [email protected]
Web: www.beachhop.co.nz
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 What
do a world class
mountain narrow
gauge railway, 14,000
planted native trees and
pottery have
in common?
Barry
Brickell said goodbye
to city life back
in 1961 to move
to The Coromandel
where he would spend
the next 25 years
creating a railway
that has become
New Zealand’s
well known Driving
Creek Railway.
Barry originally
built the railway
to bring the clay
and pine wood fuel
down to the potteries.
The
vision behind the
Railway and potteries
complex is Barry’s
passion for combining
art, conservation
and engineering.
Not only has he
constructed the
narrow gauge railway,
he started a major
forest restoration
project and established
New Zealand’s
most versatile pottery,
sculpture, tile
and brick-making
workshop.
The
3 kilometre train
trip has spectacular
panoramic views
from the “Eyefull Tower” at the top end of the trip.
Location:
Coromandel Town , The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Barry Brickell
Phone: 07 866 8703,
www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz |
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Trekking
with Kiwi Dundee – The Coromandel |
 In
a bid to find New
Zealand’s Crocodile
Dundee, a major
newspaper ran a
competition back
in 1988. The
winner was Doug
Johansen, operator
of outdoor adventures,
guided tours and
a nature specialist. As word travelled
the sea,s his business
became known as
Kiwi Dundee Adventures.
In
1975 Doug Johansen
led a successful
three year fight
to stop all felling
of native forests
in The Coromandel
and has been guiding
in the area ever
since. In
1988 Doug received
New Zealand’s
Guide of the Year
and in 1990 received
The Queen’s
Commerative Gold
Medal for Services
to Nature and Tourism
for New Zealand.
Highlights
of Kiwi Dundee Adventures
are guided walks
in the semi-rainforest,
glow worms and other
creatures, coastal
scenery, giant ferns
and Kauri Trees.
Location:
Whangamata, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Doug Johansen and
Jan Poole
Phone: 07 865 8809
www.kiwidundee.co.nz |
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A
Great Pacific Flight
to The Coromandel |
 Thousands
of migratory shorebirds
flock each year
to the Firth of
Thames in The Coromandel,
one hour south east
of Auckland.
They include bar-tailed
godwits which are
believed to migrate
from Alaska to New
Zealand in a one
non-stop flight
down the Pacific.
Making efficient
use of weather patterns
is essential for
these birds.
The
area is world renown
for it’s migratory
shorebirds and a
visit to the Miranda
Shorebird Centre
is very worthwhile.
The Miranda Shorebird
Centre is an information
and education facility
with extensive
displays on migration
and other natural
features. The centre
also offers accommodation
for visitors.
Location:
Miranda, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Keith Woodley
Ph: 09 2322781,
www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz
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Twilight Glow Worm Experience… Like No Other |
 As the night darkens a magical glow within the forest walls begins to brighten.
As you hike through stunning semi tropical rain forests, you will be taken back by the beauty of the magical Glow Worms, as they shine in their natural habitat.
Your guides will guide you through some magnificent native bush while demonstrating some of the alternative uses our native flora has on offer. This area was the site of an old mining settlement in the early 1900s and relics of its past can still be seen today, including what happens to be an old jail.
Location:
Pauanui, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Sharon and Damien Johansen
Ph
(07) 864 8731 or (021) 962 274,
www.coromandel.co.nz |
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Playground
for Kid’s up
to the Age of Eighty |
 Exploring
a playground of
whimiscal wonders
worked by water
can be great fun,
no matter how old
or young.
Waiau Water Works
is not your regular
kind of garden setting.
The trees and plants
may look like many
a beautiful garden
but the water operated
contraptions are
original and one
can only marvel
how the huge water
clock keeps
time when it’s
driven by water.
It
is a completely
unique, humourous
and fun experience.
On a more serious
note, pottery sculptures
are abundant and
there are spaces
for those wanting
to relax.
Location:
Coromandel Town, NZ
Open 9am-6pm 7 days a week
Contact:
Chris Ogilvie |
Phone: 07 866 7191, www.waiauwaterworks.co.nz |
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SCALLOP FESTIVAL - August |
 Scallops rank up there as one of Kiwi’s favourite seafoods. So it is not surprising that the annual Whitianga Scallop Festival has quickly become one of New Zealand’s must do festivals! The first two festivals have sold out well in advance of the event with huge crowds indulging in this iconic delicacy.
The festival has a unique blend of upmarket café’s and restaurants serving up authentic New Zealand cuisine next to community groups like Coastguard and the local school. And it is all set on Whitianga’s stunning waterfront.
 Scallops are cooked up in hundreds of different ways like Macadamia crumbed scallops, scallop sausages, scallop sushi, scallop and chardonnay shots, scallops flamed in midori and scallops on rosemary stick kebabs.
The local seafood processors have a team-shucking scallops live in front of the crowd right throughout the day and both celebrities and the public are invited on stage to test their scallop opening skills against each other.
Top that with three live stages with some of New Zealand’s best live jazz and blues bands, scallop cook offs and cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs like Ray McVinnie and you have a jammed packed day of festivities.
Mark next years Scallop Festival in your diarys and make sure you experience the tastes, aromas, sounds and sights of the Scallop Festival in Whitianga!
Location:
Whitianga, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone:
07 868 0472,
www.scallopfestival.co.nz
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 New Zealand's Pohutukawa tree is a national taonga or treasure. Many Kiwis share the memory of summers spent on the beach beneath its' crimson canopy. The connection is especially vivid for those lucky enough to visit New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula, where the vibrant flowering Pohutukawa is hard to miss.
The annual Pohutukawa Festival takes place from the last week in November to the end of the first week in December and aims to launch summer on the Coromandel. Timed to coincide with the Pohutukawa flowering, you'll see why it is known as New Zealand's Christmas Tree.
A fantastic line up of events is planned for the two week festival including the the Coromandel Dive Festival, Art Exhibitions and Trails, Jazz festival, Wearable Arts Show and much more
Make your way to the Coromandel and celebrate ‘Coromandels launch into Summer” at this years Pohutukawa Festival.
Location:
Throughout the Coroamdenl, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Tourism Coromandel
Phone: 07 868 0471,
www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz
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Experience the Essence of RAPAURA |
 Rapuara
is the realization
of a vision of two
dedicated people.
In the early 60's
when Josephine and
Fritz Loennig spent
weekends in the
Tapu Valley fossicking
for carnelians and
other rocks, they
felt drawn by the
energy of the land
around them. This
led to the purchase
of 64 acres of scrub
and grazing land,
and so began the
creation of Rapaura.
With a deep respect for nature they began to create a place of beauty and serenity harnessing the natural spiritual energy of the land. It was this energy that Sally Sank, the present owner, connected with when she visited Rapaura in April 1994.
Today, the essence of Rapaura can be enjoyed in so many ways. Sit beside a tranquil lily pond, stroll through the gardens featuring seasonal flora and garden art and take a bush walk to a cascading waterfall, “The Seven Stairs to Heaven”.
Rapaura nourishes the soul and senses, while ‘Koru at Rapaura’ serves delicious food and ‘dam’ good coffee.
For a total experience stay in the boutique self catering accommodation
Location:
Thames Coast Road, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Sally and Sacha Sank
Email: [email protected]
www.rapaurawatergardens.co.nz |
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Playing in Nature’s Playground |
 As The Coromandel is abundant with forest and marine life, paddling yourself around the Marine Reserve is one of the best ways to get up close.
Cathedral Cove Kayaks is based in Hahei and offers the opportunity to explore the volcanic coastline. Islands, coves and sea caves are easy to find and access in a kayak. It has been described by visitors as ‘some of the best paddling in the planet’.
Location:
Hahei, The Coromandel. New Zealand
Contact:
Nathan Smith
Ph: 07 866 3877
www.seakayaktours.co.nz
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