5 Day Coromandel Explorer from Auckland

As you leave the Auckland city boundary the landscape changes to lush farmland. You'll pass the fertile Hauraki Plains - one of New Zealand's largest dairy producing regions. Pass the Thames Estuary arriving into the old gold mining town of Thames, there are two different routes to the east coast of the Coromandel. Either directly over the Coromandel Ranges or north to Coromandel Township along the Pohutukawa Coast (part of the Pacific Coast Highway).

Named after HMS Coromandel which visited the bay in 1820 to collect spars Coromandel Town has had quite an industrious history. Although the timber trade was providing the towns inhabitants with work in the early 1800's, it was the gold rush of the 1850's that contributed to the towns success and growth. Old buildings from these pioneering times can still be seen in the picturesque little town and there is also a gold mining museum.

Driving Creek Railway and Potteries has become a Coromandel icon. The dream of Barry Brickell was to establish a pottery workshop on his land. Using a railway he would have access to the clay on the land and the pine kiln fuel. Over the next 15 years the railway developed until in 1990 it was finally licensed to carry fare paying passengers and ever since thousands of visitors have made the trip to Coromandel to experience this unique attraction. The 1 hour return train trip on the innovatively designed trains takes you through replanted native kauri forest and includes 2 spirals, 3 short tunnels, 5 reversing points and several large viaducts as it climbs up to the mountain-top terminus. The pottery is still producing and you can watch the artists at work as well as purchase items.

oastline of Whangapoua Harbour and the Kuaotuna beach. For beach lovers there are plenty of side roads to often deserted golden sand beaches and bays. The summer months bring visitors to enjoy fishing, surf-casting and swimming along the palm fringed beaches.

This small bustling town once played a major part in the kauri logging industry with over 150 million metres of timber being exported between 1830 and the end of the century. Explore the spectacular coastline of Te Whanganui-a-hei Marine Reserve, including its most famous feature the hidden paradise of Cathedral Cove. On board you’ll peer through the glass bottom of the boat enjoying amazing views of the diverse marine life that inhabit the reserve.

g its most famous feature the hidden paradise of Cathedral Cove. On board you'll peer through the glass bottom of the boat enjoying amazing views of the diverse marine life that inhabit the reserve. You can also snorkel the reserve if you want an even closer encounter. The Te Whanganui-A-Hei is the only marine reserve in the Coromandel and is rich with marine life. There are many different species of fish to be seen including schools of snapper, blue moamoa, red moki, parore, blue cod, trigger fish, wrasses and more. Watch as the fish swim right past the glass as if you had your own personal aquarium. Keep your eyes peeled for other marine life such as sting rays, octopus, crayfish, moray eels, dolphins and other marine creatures you may find on the tour.

Head south along the Peninsula, passing the idyllic seaside communities of Hahei, Hotwater Beach and Tairua before turning inland.

Once you reach Matamata you are in hobbit country and the route takes you to the town of Matamata where you can visit the the film locations made famous in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies at Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours (optional extra).

Your drive continues north west crossing the dairy country of the Hauraki Plains before arriving at State Highway 1 and home to Auckland.