Top things to do in The Coromandel

Things to do in the Coromandel are spread along a peninsula about 85 km long, pushing north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty with the Hauraki Gulf on one side and the Pacific on the other. Auckland is roughly 55 km west across the water, and Hahei is a 2.5-hour drive from the city, so the peninsula works as a long day trip or a few nights away.

Most of the action sits on the east coast around Mercury Bay. Boats and sea kayaks leave from Whitianga, Tairua and Hahei, Hot Water Beach lies between Whitianga and Tairua, and Cathedral Cove is reached by water or on foot. Up north, Coromandel Town is the base for the forest railway and treetop ziplines at Driving Creek.

On the water, Coromandel cruises and Coromandel water sports reach the sea caves and coves, while Coromandel activities take in the forest and the potter's wheel. Wet days have their own rainy day things to do in the Coromandel. The list below picks out the places and experiences the region is best known for.