28 Best Sights in Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

A cottage café and craft shop are set in a garden full of citrus and olive trees and kitchen herbs. The café serves soups, delicious country-style pies, salads, and an ever-changing variety of cakes, scones, muffins, slices, and Devonshire teas. In the shop you can procure tasty chutneys, jams, organic honey, and giftware. The open grassy space, play area, and tame donkeys make this an especially good place to stop with kids. It's located on State Highway 25 just south of the Hahei turnoff on the way to Tairua.

The region’s most popular and safest swimming beach is the 11-km (7-mile) laid-back Ōhope, just a 10-minute drive east of Whakatane. Pohutukawa Avenue, Ōhope's main road, runs parallel to the beach, flanked by native pohutukawa trees, private homes, and grazing cows. You can stay in the Top 10 Holiday Park or choose from a range of holiday homes, motels, apartments and B&Bs. There's lots to do here: fishing off the beach, surfing, and walking the Nga Tapuwae o Toi trail are just a few options. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This dormant volcano is the region's visual icon; its rocky cone stands sentinel, 761 feet high at the end of the peninsula that boasts one of New Zealand's best swimming and surfing areas. White-sand beaches with rolling surf stretch for miles away from Mauao. Trails on Mauao include an easy walk around its base and the more strenuous summit climb. To get to Mauao, head toward it along any road running parallel to the beach. The Mount Maunganui area gets crowded around Christmas and New Year's Eve, so consider early or late summer (or even winter) for your visit. Beach walks or exploring Mauao is a delight at any time, and the sidewalk cafés are always open.

The Cathedral Cove rock arch is possibly the most visited feature in Coromandel. Following cyclone damage to the walking track, the only access to Cathedral Cove is via water taxi, boat, or kayak. The coastline is stunning viewed from the water, with sea caves, rock formations, and blow holes. The water at the cove is usually calm and clear, so it's good for swimming and snorkeling. The Cathedral Cove Water Taxi buzzes from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove in a few minutes. Or you could paddle there with Cathedral Cove Kayaks. A good plan is to visit outside peak summer holiday season, January in particular.

This beach lies in Mercury Bay, so named for Captain James Cook's observation of the transit of the planet Mercury in 1769. The beach is notable for the captain's landfall, the first here by a European. It's a beautiful expanse of white sand backed by a growing sprawl of vacation homes. Forest-covered headlands overlook each end (take the walking track to Shakespeare Cliff Scenic and Historic Reserve, on the northern headland for the view). The beach is a safe family swimming spot, likely to be crowded in peak summer months (January) and delightfully quiet at other times of the year. Along with private vacation homes, B&Bs and a holiday park with campsites and cabins are located near the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The late Barry Brickell's narrow gauge railway, built so the potter could access special clay found at the top of a steep forested slope, has become a major tourist attraction. Trains make several one-hour trips each day, taking in a viaduct, three tunnels, a spiral, and a switchback through native forest, eventually climbing to the Eyefull Tower and viewing platform. The railway also funds a reforestation program and a 1.6-acre fenced wildlife sanctuary. The latest on-site addition is Coromandel Zip Line Tours, a 2½-hour experience encompassing eight zip lines. Advanced booking is advised; it's essential during peak summer months.

Beyond Colville, a twisty, gravel road will take you to Fletcher Bay, the northernmost end of the peninsula. (It's impossible to fully circumnavigate the peninsula by road.) To reach Fletcher Bay, turn left at a T-junction about 5 km (3 miles) north of Colville. This road follows the west coast to a stunning sandy beach at Port Jackson, then continues along the cliff-top and down to Fletcher Bay, a smaller, sandy cove banked by green pasture rolling down to the beach. It's 60 km (38 miles) from Coromandel—a drive of close to two hours. There's a camping ground here, tracks and beaches to explore, and a great kayaking spot. From Fletcher Bay, hikers can follow the signposted Coromandel Coastal Walkway, an old bridle trail along the very northeastern tip of Coromandel Peninsula, down to Stony Bay. It's a charming three- to four-hour walk, partly along clifftops with grand views across to the Mercury Islands, and at times dipping down to secluded, forest-fringed beaches.

Owners Karen and Eddie Morrow manage both this and the Waihi information center (in the same location), and their enthusiasm is infectious. You can head underground to the interactive museum for an explanation of the region’s gold-mining history. The roof is lined with timbers as if you are in a real mine shaft. You can operate a compressor drill; fire the explosives; learn about local geology and the role of stamper batteries in extracting gold from rock; and understand the social upheavals of striking miners, unions, and bosses. If you want to see the real thing, take a tour (two hours) to Waihi’s still-working mine. Bike rental is also available here.

This half-hour, 7-km (4½-mile) heritage-train journey into the Karangahake Gorge follows part of the former Waihi to Paeroa line, built in 1905 after five years of challenging construction in the steep gorge country. The train travels from historic Waihi Railway Station to the Waikino Station Café (with great house-made baked goods). Travel one-way or round-trip, or bring your bike---from Waikino to Paeroa, the former railway line now forms part of the Hauraki Rail Trail for bikers and walkers. Train reservations are recommended.

Take a guided experience to learn about one of the richest gold strikes in the world. The tour includes a 40-minute underground tour of an 1868 stamper battery. Wear sturdy footwear, as it can be muddy. Advanced booking is recommended.

This wild and potentially dangerous surf beach is incredibly popular for its under-the-sand thermal spring. By scooping a shallow hole in the sand, you can create a pool of warm water; the deeper you dig, the hotter it becomes. The part of the beach where you dig for the springs is only uncovered at low- to mid-tide, so time your trip accordingly. In summer you'll be joined by hundreds of other spade-toting bathers—plan your visit outside of busy January if you can. Hot Water Beach is well signposted off Hahei Beach Road from Whenuakite (fen-oo-ah-kye-tee). If you need to while away some time before the tide goes out, there are a couple of beachside cafés, plus the Moko Artspace gallery to browse.   Only swim in the lifeguard-patrolled areas; the beach is notorious for drownings; however, nearby Hahei Bech is one of the finest and safest on this coast. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; walking.

A handsome, Dutch cape–style building will probably attract your attention, just south of Katikati on Highway 2. It houses the cellar door of winery Leveret Mills Reef. The boutique, specialist winery produces vintages from grapes grown in leading New Zealand wine regions Hawke's Bay and Marlborough. Tastings are available Fridays to Monday; here's your chance to sample the country's best wines, all in one place.

For great views over the Bay of Plenty, drive a couple of minutes north of Katikati on State Highway 2 to Lindemann Road. The lookout is signposted at the turn off. Drive 3½ km (2 miles) to the road's end and the lookout. The road is good but narrow in parts; you'll find a map embedded in rock to help orient you. If the weather is clear you might see volcanic White Island to the south. Self-contained campervans can stop here overnight.

There are spas, and then there is The Lost Spring: thermal pools set in the middle of town yet landscaped as if they're lost in the forest. The Lost Spring taps into 16,000-year-old mineral water drawn from more than 2,000 feet below ground and now filling a man-made haven of steaming lagoons, waterfalls, and quartz-studded caves. Lie back in the water, and watch native birds eating berries from the trees and ferns while staff deliver snacks, juices, beer, wine, or cocktails to the water's edge. There’s also a restaurant and day spa (be sure to book ahead).

In the center of Waihi, gaze in awe into the huge open pit of the Martha Mine, one of the world's most significant gold and silver mines of its time. Since the late 1800s, thousands of miners worked here, extracting 174,000 kilograms of gold and more than a million kilos of silver. Cross the road from the Waihi isite Visitor Information Centre to the Cornish Pumphouse (relocated here) for a glimpse into the pit, and perhaps walk around the Pit Rim Walkway (5 km/3 miles). For a more insightful experience book a trip with Gold Discovery Tours ( www.golddiscoverycentre.co.nz).

Four hundred and ninety-four acres of parkland, alongside a gentle flowing river that tumbles over the small McLaren Falls, make a great spot for a picnic or driving break. Picnic tables, barbecues, and toilets are located throughout. Walks include a 10-minute easy bushwalk to the falls and more strenuous walks to lookouts on Pine Tree Knoll or The Ridge. It's located a 15-minute drive south of Tauranga off State Highway 29, one of the main roads into Tauranga.

Mills Reef has built a fine reputation for its award-winning wines and the winery itself is a treat to visit. The spacious, landscaped, 20-acre complex encompasses an art deco--style tasting room and popular restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining. Cellar door staff will guide you through tastings of the winery’s favored Bordeaux-style reds, Syrahs, and the highly regarded Elsbeth Range. The 150-seater à la carte restaurant is popular for brunch and lunch, and open occasionally for dinners (check their website).

From the pointy volcanic peak rising above the entrance to Tairua Harbour, you'll get views of the estuary, coastline, and offshore islands. The trail is short and steep, with handrails and stone steps along the way. It's suitable for people of most fitness levels, with a short scramble up some boulders before you reach the summit. Park on Paku Drive, next to the Paku Recreational Park. The walk takes around 45 minutes round-trip. 

Take a detour to the dazzling, white-sand Opoutere Beach and Wharekawa Harbour, reached by a five-minute drive off State Highway 25, turning left 24 km (15 miles) south of Tairua on the road to Whangamata. The road follows the Wharekawa Estuary to a parking lot. From here cross a wooden footbridge and follow the trail for 10 minutes through the forest to the long white beach. Much of the estuary and headland area here is a wildlife refuge, a breeding ground for shorebirds, including the endangered New Zealand dotterel. Take care not to enter fenced areas as these protect the barely visible eggs that lie in shallow nests in the sand. 

A 45-minute climb through this 108-acre regional park will take you to the summit of a former Māori pā that dates back to 1460. It’s one of the earliest archaeological sites in the region. From the parking lot the trail is clearly marked: you climb through pine forest, then open farmland. Stop for the views, if not to catch your breath. The park is a 20-km (12½-mile) drive east of Tauranga (en route to Whakatane). You'll need to get off the tolled expressway for access. If traveling from Tauranga, take the Papamoa exit and then follow the signs indicating the free road to Te Puke. Go past Welcome Bay Road and look for Poplar Lane on the right. The parking lot is at the end of Poplar Lane. Local Māori guide Les Millard offers guided walks to the park which go in-depth into the storied history of the area ( www.traveled.co.nz).

Explore this 64-acre private estate, nurtured for more than 40 years with lush lawns, garden beds, and native forest and adorned with ponds, streams, waterfalls, fountains, and garden art. Trails lead through seasonal displays of primulas and spring bulbs, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, lilies, hydrangeas, and water lilies. Rapaura also offers self-catering accommodations in either a Boutique Lodge or Garden Cottage.

The headland at the south end of Hahei Beach is the site of two former Māori pā (fortified villages). Although no trace remains of the defensive terraces and wooden spikes that once ringed the cliffsides, the stunning outlook, which made it an ideal defensive site in years past, remains. At high tide, the blowhole at the foot of the cliffs adds a booming bass note to the sound of waves. To reach the actual pā site, follow the red arrow down the hill from the parking area at the end of Pa Road. After some 50 meters (164 feet), take the right fork through a grove of giant pohutukawa trees, then go through a gate and across an open, grassy hillside. You can also pick up the trail onto the headland from the southern end of Hahei Beach at mid- to low tide.

This tiny, volunteer-run museum contains photographic displays of the 1860s gold-rush and logging industries, re-creations of period rooms from the 1800s, and information on the area's first Māori inhabitants and early European settlers. A nice feature on the grounds is the memorial garden, with period roses and other flora that settlers commonly planted; it's a lovely place to rest and reflect.

From the mid-1800s, the School of Mines was an internationally recognized institution, teaching all aspects of mining. A diploma from here guaranteed a job anywhere in the world. The museum was established in 1900 to exhibit geological samples. The school closed decades ago, but the museum's still kicking, displaying those turn-of-the-20th-century rock specimens along with scales, models of stamper batteries, and other gold-mining paraphernalia.

Nineteen kilometers (12 miles) north of Katikati, Waihi Beach is ideal for swimming and surfing and has access to numerous walkways. With 9 km (5½ miles) of sweeping white sand, the beach is one of the region's safest for swimming, surfing, and kayaking, and is particularly popular in peak summer (January). A surf club offers beach patrols at the beach's northern end and in summer at the far Bowentown end in the south, although you'll find people splashing about all along the long white stretch. Don't miss the drive to the top of the Bowentown heads at the southern end of Waihi Beach. This is an old Māori pā (fortified village) with stunning views. A short but steep walk from here leads to Cave Bay directly below the viewing point. Don't swim at Cave Bay; there are dangerous currents here.

The Waihi Beach township encompasses restaurants and shops, and there is a full range of accommodations, from holiday parks to boutique lodges. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking; toilets; waters sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Named after the country's largest native insect (which looks like a grasshopper with armor), this gallery has a range of items, including large and really lovely glass totems, small tiles, fabric art, carvings, ceramics, and jewelry.

If you've a hankering to see the stars from an antipodean perspective, check out the Whakatane Observatory, up on a hill above the town. With no city lights to obscure the view, the skies here rate among the clearest in the country. Showings are obviously weather dependent; however, on a good night you will see in stark clarity sights such as the "jewel box," a cluster of multicolor stars near the Southern Cross. Nighttime presentations are informal and informative, led by local astronomers Keith Blair and Terry Gordon.