Hiking is undoubtedly one of the best activities to do in New Zealand. Whether you’re a fan of volcanic landscapes, beautiful coastlines, lush native bush, or mountain ranges, this country has it all.
The Coromandel Peninsula, located on the east coast of the North Island, is a haven for hikers. Just a stone’s throw away from Auckland, this region is known for its laid-back atmosphere, temperate climate (hello, winter hiking!), and white sand beaches.
If you’re planning a trip to the Coromandel and wondering about the best hikes, where to stay, and what to pack, this guide has got you covered.
How to get to the Coromandel
The best way to explore the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula is by car.
Unlike countries like France, Denmark, and Germany, New Zealand’s public transport options are next-to-nothing, making driving a must if you want to make the most of your New Zealand travel itinerary.
Having your own vehicle also allows you to take in the scenery and stop at viewpoints along the way. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend renting a car for your trip.
Here are the approximate travel times from major cities:
- From Auckland: Approximately 3 hours
- From Hamilton: Around 1.5 hours
- From Tauranga: 1.5-2 hours (due to winding roads)
- From Napier: 5-6 hours
- From New Plymouth: 6 hours
- From Wellington: 8 hours
Where to Stay in the Coromandel Peninsula
Choosing where to stay in the Coromandel will ultimately depend on your budget, location and whether you have a taste for the finer things in life. If you’re planning to hike the Coromandel Coastal Walk, your ideal stay will differ significantly from accommodations near the Pinnacles.
My favourite places to stay are always campsites or in Air BnBs.
Some of the best towns for Airbnb rentals include Whitianga, Hahei, and Coromandel Town. These locations are conveniently situated within driving distance of popular hiking trails and offer fantastic amenities like pubs, cafes, supermarkets, and petrol stations—not to mention incredible beaches!
If camping is more your style or you’re traveling with a camper van, the Coromandel boasts excellent campsites. Some of my favourites include Cooks Beach Holiday Park, Whangapoua Holiday Park, Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, Hahei Beach Resort, Port Jackson DOC Campsite, and Fletcher Bay DOC Campsite.
Prices for campsites range from $15 to $60 per person per night, with facilities varying from basic amenities like cold showers and long drops at DOC campsites to more equipped locations featuring full kitchens and common rooms.
What to pack to go hiking in New Zealand
New Zealand isn’t called the land of four seasons in one day for nothing! The weather is variable and can change without warning, so whenever you go hiking, it’s best to be prepared.
Your packing list will vary based on the time of year you visit, your personal style, and whether you plan to hike overnight or just for the day. Always consider the specific conditions of the trails you intend to explore, and don’t forget to include essentials for safety and comfort.
Make sure to check out my blog post on day hiking for a full packing list!
The Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Duration: 7 hours
Distance: 20km return
Nearest Town: Coromandel Town
Coastal lovers, this one is for you. Named one of the best day walks in New Zealand, the Coromandel Coastal Track gives you a chance to stretch your legs AND take in the jaw-dropping beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula.
To get here, start in Coromandel Town and follow Colville Road north for 31km to Colville Bay. Then, take Port Jackson Road for 30km to Fletcher Bay. Top tip: Port Jackson Road is gravel and bumpy, so make sure you factor in extra travel time!
I’d recommend starting your walk from Fletcher Bay DOC Campsite. It’s one of the best camping spots in NZ. You’ll walk through farmland before passing through the shadows of Mount Moehau, pristine native bush and along the coastline.
Before I set out along the Coromandel Coastal Walk, I hit DOC’s website to scope out the track, and they lulled me into a false sense of security with words like ‘easy gradient’, ‘one short, steep section’, and ‘relaxing walk’. This track is not the most difficult on our list of North Island hikes, but it’s certainly not as easy as others have described! Be prepared for a long day and plenty of steep sections.
Although it’s not easy, the Coromandel Coastal Walk is one of the most phenomenal hikes on the North Island. Make sure to take a decent packed lunch and lots of water – the views you are rewarded with are well worth your efforts!
The Pinnacles
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 14km return
Nearest Town: Thames
The Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (more commonly known as “The Pinnacles”) is one of the best short, overnight hikes in New Zealand. Famous for sunrises and sunsets at the summit, the Pinnacles track follows an old Kauri logging route, undulating through native bush until you reach the summit.
If you’re pressed for time, you can walk up and down The Pinnacles in one day. Your hike will take about 6 hours plus time for lunch and photos. I’ve done it this way from Auckland before, and it’s doable but tiring (take lots of water, food & sunblock).
If that sounds too much in one day, you can tackle the Pinnacles over a weekend and spend the night at the large Pinnacles DOC Hut. Holding 80+ beds, this is the largest DOC hut in NZ.
If you love an early morning cuppa and a view, this is the option for you!! From the car park, the Hut is about three hours’ walk plus 45 minutes for the ascent up to the top. Head up to the summit for sunset, sunrise (or both) with a hot flask of something delicious – this is NZ at its best.
I personally believe that the Pinnacles is one of the best walks in the Coromandel. Add this one to your NZ itinerary immediately!
New Chums Beach
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes one way
Distance: 5km return
Nearest Town: Whangapoua or Whitianga
To me, New Chums screams hidden gem. Nestled around the corner from Whangapoua Beach, this short hike leads to a secluded spot perfect for a picnic.
Park your car and begin walking from the north end of Whangapoua Beach. You’ll soon reach a stream you must cross (I’d recommend wearing hiking sandals or taking your shoes off here unless you want wet feet for the rest of the day!). Once you reach the other side, follow the rocky shoreline to the bush, where you’ll meet the start of the track.
Don’t try to tackle this hike at high tide. The best time to do this walk is approximately two hours on either side of the low side, or you may not be able to cross the stream on Whangapoua Beach.
Follow the track until you reach New Chums Beach. Tip: don’t forget to turn right at the fork and make your way up to the lookout before you get to the beach!
Remember to take a packed lunch and a picnic rug (although I’ve seen people carrying everything from chilly bins & umbrellas to BBQs and beach chairs!) for the ultimate day out & waste the day away sitting underneath the shady Pohutukawa trees.
Wentworth Valley Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 6km return
Nearest Town: Whangamata
Talk about low effort and a big reward!!
Follow SH 25 from Waihi for 27km to get here before reaching Wentworth Valley Road. Park your car in the carpark (there are toilets and a picnic area here, too) and start your hike from the DOC campsite (perfect for anyone staying overnight!).
From here, follow the track through Coromandel Forest Park and along the Wentworth River for approximately 3km. You’ll encounter two bridge crossings before you reach the viewing platform at the end of the track.
If you visit in the summer, there are plenty of places to stop off to cool down and swim or take in the views over a packed lunch. Delicious.
Owharoa Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 5 minutes
Distance: 200m one way
Nearest Town: Paeroa and Waihi
One of my favourite things about living in New Zealand is that you’re never far from amazing sights like these. Just 200m from the main, Owharoa Falls is about as low effort, big reward as you get!
To get here, turn off State Highway 2 onto Waitawheta Road and follow the road for approximately 150-200m. Unlike the other walks on this list, there is no great car park for Owharoa Falls, but there is a small area where you can leave your car. It often gets jam-packed, so be careful and watch for people crossing! Follow the track down from the roadside for 200m until you reach the waterfall. It’s a very popular spot for swimming and photos, so bring your togs & camera!
Cathedral Cove Walk
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1.5 hours return
Distance: 2.5km
Nearest Town: Hahei
Note: Due to Cyclone Gabriel, the track to Cathedral Cove is currently closed and will not reopen for summer 2024. The only way to get here at the moment is via boat. Keep an eye out on the official DOC website for updates.
Perhaps one of the most popular walks in New Zealand, Cathedral Cove is a Kiwi icon and a must-do for anyone travelling to the Coromandel. From the carpark, follow the well-paved track from Hahei down to Gemstone Bay. Continue walking along the coast, through pine forest and bushland, before descending to the water. There are many steps down to the beach itself, so I’d recommend a reasonable level of fitness (plus no pushchairs!).
Once you arrive at the beach, you’ll be greeted by the jaw-dropping natural rock arch that joins two beaches at Cathedral Cove. Seriously, stunning doesn’t come close to summing this place up!
Spend the afternoon baking in the sun, swimming and exploring before returning to the carpark via the same track. Alternatively, you can kayak or take a boat from neighbouring bays if you don’t fancy the hike.
When you finish, stop at Hahei General Store for coffee or one of their ginormous real fruit ice creams. You can thank me later.
Karangahake Gorge
Difficulty: Various
Duration: Various
Nearest Town: Paeroa and Waihi
The Karangahake Gorge isn’t a walk but an area in New Zealand that combines gold mining history and stunning natural beauty.
Located on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihi, the Karangahake Gorge is one of my favourite parts of any road trip. I look forward to driving through it whenever I head south out of Auckland to the Coromandel.
The walkways will take you through old gold mining tunnels, across swing bridges and along one of the country’s most gorgeous stretches of river. It’s also home to a section of the Hauraki Rail Trail and the many accompanying cyclists!
Some of my favourite hiking tracks in the area are:
- Karangahake Tunnel Walk
- Windows Walk
- Owharoa Falls
Plus, if you want to stay overnight, you can set up camp at Dickeys Flat DOC Campsite – it’s a no-brainer!
Waiau Kauri Grove
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Distance: 500m
Nearest Town: Coromandel Town
This short walking track combines three of my favourite things: waterfalls, the outdoors and NZ native bush.
Leave Coromandel Town and head south on the 309 to the beginning of the Waiau Falls Track. If you just want to see Waiau Falls, they’re visible from the roadside, approximately 7km along the 309 Road. But I REALLY recommend you see Kauri Grove too! Drive another 1km down the road, and once you arrive, park your car on the roadside.
Then, head just 500m along the track deep into native bush. The boardwalk will take you through the most extensive, easily accessible grove of mature kauri in the region. It’s a must-do for any nature lover.
Tip: The 309 is a long, gravel road that joins the east and west sides of the Coromandel. It’s windy and dangerous in sections, so take care and factor extra travel time into your day.
Which hikes would you add?
I hope you enjoyed reading about my favourite hikes in the Coromandel. This region is one of my all-time favourites in New Zealand, and I can’t wait to tick more spots off my bucket list!
Are there any dream hikes missing from this list that I should tackle next? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you. Happy travels!
One response to “The Ultimate Guide to Hiking in the Coromandel”
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Brilliant! It’s so nice to read words that paint a picture without needing to look at a single photograph.
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