Explore Coromandel

Things To Do

Embark on a scenic road trip! The curvy drive along the coast and over (sometimes steep and narrow) mountain roads demand GREAT attention. This is not an easy feat considering the fact that one’s surrounding is so distractingly beautiful! If travelling with company, this is the time to fight for the passenger seat! Nonetheless, drivers can take pride in the fact that your driving skills shall be applauded and will only improve during this process. 🙂

Driving along the Coromandel Peninsula

#Tip: Along the scenic drive, look out for brown signboards that indicate “scenic lookouts”. These are usually great rest stops that present breath-taking scenery.

Scenic Lookout

Snap away and make postcard pictures! This is yet another paradise for photographers or anyone who appreciates landscape beauty. Besides a beautiful coast that seems to stretch forever, rainforests loomed in a magnificent manner and yes, city bumpkin that I am, I have never seen so many trees in my entire life! Having explored several places within New Zealand that boost (wonderful but) somewhat similar features, I thought I might be bored with the beauty after some time. Yet, each destination seems to possess some unique factors that never fail to captivate me.

Right: Pretty lavenders | Left: A unique gate in town

Small town charms await you! As you drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, you shall pass by several laidback towns. Stop by for a cup of coffee or stay overnight to explore more. Lyn and I stayed overnight at the Coromandel Town, arriving just in time to catch the sunset. There ain’t much shops but there were history to discover.

Enjoy picnic at a movie scene? The Cathedral Cove is more than just a pretty beach! Documented as one of the 101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis, the Cathedral Cove is reputed to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula!

While it is famous for its remarkable rock formations, pure white sands and crystal-clear water, many might not be aware that it is actually part of a famous movie scene that you and I have watched! Check out the movie scene! Lyn and I kicked off our shoes (as the children of Narnia did!) and indulged in our beautiful surroundings. After snapping a million photos, we finally settled to have a picnic lunch. Awesomeness! 😀

#Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as one is required to trek about 45 minutes prior to reaching the cove.

How does a FREE outdoor hotspring sound? Well, the Hot Water Beach is also in the 101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis list! Located about 10-15 minutes drive from the Cathedral Cove, you shall be able to unearth hot spring water and make your very own beachside pool!

The ignorant and lazy me thought it to be an easy task to simply dig sand with a plastic container BUT there is a reason why people rented / brought their own garden spades! (I’ll share more tips for the Hot Water Beach in my next post) Besides enthusiastic “hot pool-diggers”, this feisty surf beach also attracts those who love surfing.

The above information has been complied based on various sources, including my own experience and should only be used as a reference. For more information on the destination, please visit: http://www.thecoromandel.com/