Description

The Coromandel is a well-kept secret and only a 90 minute drive southeast of Auckland. With a gold mining history and a thriving arts community there is plenty to see and do. Soft adventure and eco-friendly activities are popular ways to enjoy the spectacular scenery - ancient kauri trees, lush rainforests, craggy volcanic peaks and thermal springs.

The Bay of Plenty has an ideal holiday environment with the clear, blue waters of the Pacific Ocean lapping at its shores.

Gisborne is the easternmost city in the world, the first to see the sun each day. The area is blessed with true wilderness and the best beaches in the country.

Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are two of New Zealand's premier wine-growing districts.

To See and Do

In The Coromandel:

• Drop in to one of the Country Kitchens for a home-cooked meal.
  
• Stop at the largest thermal pool in the Southern Hemisphere, Miranda Hot Springs.
  
• Take a guided bushwalk or wander the well-marked trails yourself.
  
• Put a few hours aside to make your own bone carving in Whitianga (NZ$25).
  
• Whitianga is also an excellent base for fishing, diving, sea kayaking, dolphin swimming and horse treks.
  
• Find a spot on Hot Water Beach and dig your own thermal spa pool.
  
• Pan for gold at the Coromandel Gold Stamper Battery.
  
• Take a ride on potter Barry Brickell's zig-zagging narrow gauge railway to the top of his property, Driving Creek.
  
• Near Driving Creek are five lovely gardens to tour.
  
• Take a soft adventure tour with Kiwi Dundee. Get in a scenic round of golf (the Coromandel has at least ten 18 hole golf courses).
  
• Drop in to sample a drop of fruit and vegetable wines at Castlerock Winery (free tastings, 7 days a week).
  
• Take the Coromandel Challenge - a 4WD bike safari, a scenic boat adventure and a sky plunge by flying fox (NZ$155).

  In the Bay of Plenty…

• Swim with the dolphins in Tauranga or Whakatane.
  
• Put aside a half-day or full day for a deep sea fishing charter.
  
• Take a scuba dive in the Mayor Island marine reserve.
  
• Hop in a helicopter or on a cruise to White Island, NZ's only continually active volcano (you can walk right into the crater area).
  
• For awesome views of the coastline, put an hour and a half aside for a walk to the top of Mount Maunganui.
  
• On Matakana Island (in Tauranga Harbour) you can take a guided tour in a covered wagon pulled by Clydesdale horses.

In Gisborne and Hawke's Bay...

• Visit the vineyards for tours and tastings.
  
• If you've got four days, take one of NZ's Great Walks around Lake Waikaremoana. With less time you can still find many short walks. Take a walk along the longest wharf in the Southern Hemisphere at Tolaga Bay.
  
• Tolaga Bay (40 minutes north of Gisborne) also has NZ's finest cashmere knitwear.
  
• Fish, swim or kayak.
  
• In Gisborne check the Smash Palace wine bar (the walls are covered in car wrecks).
  
• Head to Cape Kidnappers, stopping at Clearview Winery for a seaside al fresco lunch.
  
• Spend some time in the art deco city of Napier (it was destroyed by earthquake and fire in 1931 and rebuilt in the art deco style of the period). The Art Deco Trust has guided afternoon walks.
  
• Swim with dolphins in Napier.
  
• Apart from the many wineries, visitors are welcome at the beer and cider breweries in Gisborne.
  
• Indulge in some local truffles.
  
• Try your hand at trout fishing in the streams and rivers around Hawke's Bay.

Sample Itinerary 6 days

(Note: this is only a sample - once you tell us your areas of interest, we will construct a personal, suggested itinerary for you.)

Day 1

• Drive to historic Thames (1.5 hours) along the Pacific Coast Highway for lunch before going on to Coromandel town (1 hour).
  
• Browse the many arts and crafts studios, visit Driving Creek Railway or visit some of the lovely gardens.

Day 2

• Drive to Whitianga via the scenic 309 Road (40 minutes). Stop on the way for the 10-minute walk to the 309 Kauris.
  
• Visit the white sandy beaches of Hahei Marine Reserve. Walk to Cathedral Cove or head south to Hot Water Beach for a thermal spa. (Check with the local tourist information office for tide times - you can only do this two hours either side of low tide).
  
• Time for a round of golf or a spot of fishing?
  
• Have dinner in one of the great seafood restaurants.

Day 3

• Drive to Tauranga (2.5 hours from Whitianga).
  
• Perhaps a swim with the dolphins, a surf or a walk up Mount Maunganui.
  
• After lunch, to Whakatane (1 hour) to take the launch or helicopter to explore volcanic White Island.

Day 4

• Spend a lazy day getting to Gisborne, stopping for a beach picnic, a wine tasting or a stroll through the Eastwoodhill Arboretum (a must for garden lovers).

Day 5

• Drive south to Morere Hot Springs (40 minutes from Gisborne).
  
• Have a picnic lunch on the shores of Lake Waikaremoana (enjoy a short walk or a kayak).
  
• Continue south to Napier, wander the art deco buildings.

Day 6

• Explore Marine Parade's Aquarium or take a half-day excursion to Cape Kidnappers and the Gannet Colony.
  
• Spend the afternoon on the local wine trail.
  From here you are perfectly placed to continue your holiday through Taupo, Rotorua and Waitomo before heading back to Auckland or to continue south to Wellington.

Where to Stay

 
Click below for a choice of accommodation options in these regions:

• Central North Island