These Coromandel destinations are a coastal slice of paradise on New Zealand’s North Island. Packed full of natural beauty it a must-visit for anyone exploring this little corner of the world. From pristine beaches to stunning hiking trails, there’s no shortage of things to do.
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I’ve been lucky enough to explore a large amount of this area, so here are my top 13 Coromandel destinations that you should have on your list to escape to.
CRAYFISH BAY
If you’re looking for a secluded beach experience, Crayfish Bay is the spot for you. This hidden gem is a 40 drive from Coromandel town, 50 minutes from Whitianga and offers a pristine white stone bay and stunning blue water. If you’re a fan of cliff jumping this is definitely for you. As it is quite rocky there’s not a lot of space on the beach itself but there is plenty of cliff space to sit and relax.
For everything you need to know on how to get here, I’ve got you covered in this guide.
OPITO BAY PA AND BEACH
Opito Bay Pā and beach walk are a great place to experience the quieter side of the Coromandel. This beach is home to an ancient Maori pā (or fortified village). In the past this area was used as a defence terrace, which when visiting you will see why. The sheer cliff provides amazing views along the coast, out to Mercury Islands and the Pacific.
You’ll find the stairs leading up to the pā on the east end of the beach. My suggestion is to do Opito Bay beach, pā and Crayfish Bay all in one go. Opito Bay Pā for sunrise, followed by photos at Crayfish Bay then back to the beach for a swim.
If you want to know more about Opito Bay history click here.
SHAKESPEARE CLIFF LOOKOUT
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout is really easy loop that offers stunning views over to Whitianga, Cooks Bay and Mercury Bay.
Definitely one of the easier views listed this Coromandel destinations guide, so if you’re not much of a walker or hiker, this one is perfect. In order to get there, head along Purangi Road and you’ll see a gravel entrance to the right hand side. Follow this to the top and you’ll find yourself at the lookout.
It’s a short loop that will take you only a couple of minutes to complete.
TE PARE POINT
Te Pare Point is another easy hike, found near Hahei Beach. Its only 1km (there and back) and will take you less than 20 minutes to walk.
The view looks over Te Karaka Island (directly in front) and also Mahurangi Island.
It’s a great option to stretch the legs and also in summer a great walk to do followed by a swim at Hahei Beach.
GOATS TRAIL (OFF TE PARE POINT)
This walk is truly a hidden gem that not many people know about. Luckily, I was able to discover it through some locals. If you want to experience it for yourself, here are the exact instructions on how to find it:
Begin by taking the same path that leads to the Te Pare Point lookout, and keep walking until you pass a bench on your left hand side. Look out for a sign on your right, which will point you towards a narrow track leading up the hill to your right. This is where the walk begins.
Follow the track until you reach the fence-line, and then keep following it. You may pass by a house or two, so be sure to close their gates behind you. I walked for about an hour and a half before turning back, and the entire time I was treated to breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the Coromandel coastline. I also didn’t see another soul the entire time, making it an incredible experience.
PINNACLES SUMMIT HIKE
One of the absolute must Coromandel destinations is the Pinnacles Summit hike. It’s challenging but super rewarding.
The hike is approximately 12km and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. When driving, continue past the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre to the road end (approximately 9 km from the centre). This is where you are able to park and the track starts.
The first part of the hike takes you through lush forest, with peaks of openings and swing bridges. This made the challenge of the hike well worth it as I found the uneven steps (made from rock) and gravel ground a bit hard at times.
As you near the top, there are some ladders and stairs to climb. Nothing to be scared of as these are all well fastened, just watch your footing. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be able to see breathtaking panoramic views of Coromandel Forest Park and the rest of the Waikato.
Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks, and wear appropriate gear. It’s definitely a challenge, but one that will leave you happy that you did it.
HENRY HILL WALK
For a Coromandel destination that’s further up north, head to Henry’s Hill. This trail is more relaxed and takes you through beautiful native bush up to a lookout with panoramic views of the Coromandel coast. It’s a great option for those looking for something more leisurely with beautiful scenery.
We started this hike from Stony Bay campsite and it took us roughly 1.5 hours round trip.
If wanting to go for a longer walk you can continue on which will take you all the way around Coromandel Peninsular. This goes past Fletcher Bay to Pork Jackson, but its quite an undertaking for a day trip.
MATARANGI JETTY
The Matarangi Jetty found next to Freedom Camping is a great spot for fishing, swimming, and launching boats.
The jetty faces inland so your view is of Whangapoua Harbour and the Coromandel mountains on the other side.
It’s one of the Coromandel destinations that is a little difficult to find on google so here is a link alongside the coordinates for ease: -36.736113320524616, 175.64698148014418
MOUNT PAUANUI
For a challenge, tackle Mount Pauanui. The trail starts from the end of Mount Pauanui Road at South End Reserve and zig zags through native forestry. However, the summit is well worth the effort, offering stunning, panoramic views of the Coromandel peninsula.
For the best view and time, make sure you get up there for sunrise as it can get quite busy during the day.
LONELY BAY BEACH
If you are looking for a quiet spot to relax and take a swim, Lonely Bay Beach is the perfect destination. This is one of the more secluded beaches in the Coromandel, found near Cooks Beach. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and rocky outcrops, which provide a stunning backdrop for photos.
CATHEDRAL COVE
Cathedral Cove is iconic in New Zealand.
The cove is named after its towering rock archway that looks like the entrance to a grand cathedral. This stunning landmark is only accessible by foot or by boat, making it a must-visit.
Both times I’ve visited Cathedral Cove has been at sunrise. As it is quite popular amongst tourists it can get quite busy so the earlier you arrive here, the better, especially if you are a photographer.
Make sure you check the tides as the water does come in through the cove making it dangerous to cross to the other side.
In terms of getting here, there are multiple options. If on foot you can park in Hahei town and do the full track. The carpark is closed during the summer months so you will need to start from Hahei Beach but you will pass some stunning lookouts over Gemstone and Stingray Bay, so definitely worth if you have the time.
The alternative is to use the new carpark which a landowner has kindly opened in the last couple of years. Co-ordinates are here. Just be warned that this carpark might not be open before sunrise. If this is the case, we have previously parked on the road outside the gate. I wouldn’t recommend this as it isn’t as safe so at your own risk. Another option is to look into tours that can take you on a boat that departs from Hahei Beach.
MCHANDS BAY
For panoramic views across the Pacific head to McHands Bay Lookout. This stunning viewpoint looks over Motueka Island, Te Horo Rock and all the way down to Mahurangi Island.
You can find this stunning viewpoint off the same path at Cathedral Cove, roughly 10 minutes from the beach. Even though the sign mentions a much longer track the loop will take maximum 20 minutes.
This is definitely worth adding onto your list of Coromandel destinations if you are already making the trip to Cathedral Cove.
NEW CHUMS BEACH AND LOOKOUT
Tucked away in the Coromandel is New Chums Beach, one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches. The beach is only accessible by foot, which adds to its charm.
To get to New Chums Beach, you will need to park at the end of Whangapoua Beach and follow a 30-minute trail across the beach and through the bush. The trail is well-marked and relatively easy, with a few rocky sections that offer stunning views of the surrounding coastline.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll be amazed by the crystal-clear water and pristine white sand. The beach is surrounded by dense native forest, and there are no buildings in sight.
If you want to take in even more stunning views, follow the trail up to the New Chums lookout. From here, you’ll be able to see panoramic views of the beach. Just make sure you do this is in a decent pair of shoes as you will be climbing up tree roots to get there.
New Zealand is full of amazing travel destinations, but these Coromandel destinations are truly one of a kind. From stunning beaches and crystal clear waters to lush forests and breathtaking viewpoints, it has something for everyone. I hope this guide has given you some ideas on the best parts to travel in this region. I can confidently say, it’s an amazing place to travel.
Please note that some of these spots are temporarily closed due to New Zealand’s North Island experiencing flooding. Check the doc website here for all current closures.