Coromandel

New Zealand's Luxury Playground

The Coromandel Peninsula, and Pauanui, is located just one and a half hours from Auckland International Airport; but is a world away from the urban sprawl. The unique landscape and relaxed lifestyle make it an ideal destination for both New Zealanders and international visitors.

The Coromandel offers visitors plenty to do. Along with its natural beauty - misty rainforests and pristine beaches - the historical past of the local area is rich and colourful.

The Local Area

A little history of the Coromandel

One of our most famous visitors is Captain Cook who visited the area in 1769 and observed the transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the sun hence the names of some of the region's beaches and bays - Mercury Bay and Cook's Beach.

In the nineteenth century the peninsula teemed with human activity associated with the exploitation of timber, gold and kauri gum. Eventually the kauri and accessible gold were exhausted and the gum market dissappeared. Following this the Coromandel lapsed into an economic and social decline that was eventually halted by the gradual growth of farming, fishing, horticulture, and tourism.

The land slowly "mended" and a new era of people moved into the area, one that valued the environment.

Thirty four percent of the land on the peninsula is now administered by the Department of Conservation.

What to do?

Many visitor attractions have been developed so that visitors can reflect on the region's former days. The Coromandel's history is captured in the many museums around the region. Guides are available to take visitors into the bush to view the remnants of the gold mining and logging era.

The Coromandel is a walker's paradise with many coastal walkways and inland bush walks ranging from several hours to several days. Huge kauris that were saved from the loggers' saws still remain and can easily be viewed.

Many artists and craftspeople have made the Coromandel their home, inspired by the region's idyllic setting. Visitors can follow an arts and crafts trail from one side of the peninsula to the other following the popular Pacific Coast Highway.

Other tourism operators have established themselves to take advantage of the clear waters and many kilometres of coastline and islands surrounding the Coromandel. Choose from the numerous water activities available - fishing, sailing, kayaking, snorkelling or swimming. Take a few days to enjoy this exceptional part of New Zealand - it is too good to miss..