The coastline in the far north is fringed with ancient Pohutukawa trees against a spectacular backdrop of high hills. The Coromandel Coastal Walkway at the cape is a highlight of the region – walking there you will surely enjoy a great scenery including beautiful beaches such as 2 kilometers long Waikawau Bay.

Photo by Daniel Kelpe

The Coromandel Town itself is a small and clean town. It is located on the Coromandel Peninsula about three hours drive from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga. If you don’t like driving you can catch a ferry from Auckland via Waiheke Island to the town. Though Coromandel Town is a small place there are many things to do there – golf, gardens, museum, train, boating. You can even get a bus tour… though I am not really sure that it is essential for such a small town. Of course there are also shops cafes, bars, and restaurants which can suite any taste, the local specialty being freshly caught seafood.

The original “olde worlde” colonial buildings create a special local character of the town. The Driving Creek Railway runs (daily) a narrow gauge passenger train which winds up the hillside through tunnels and over bridges to the “Eyefull Tower” for great views of the area.

Photo by PhillipC

Originally Driving Creek was a potter’s community and the train was used to bring in raw materials. Nowadays the railway station complex is still a working pottery with glass blowing and an art shop – aimed for the tourists of course.

Coromandel town also hosts several annual festivals, which include the Coro Do, late in October with art and entertainments. Another festival is Keltic Fair, a large one day event with over 300 stalls, food, music and all day entertainment.

Photo by Robertpaulyoung

All in all this is a nice small town, which in my opinion is worth stopping by if you are visiting the Coromandel Peninsula, and don’t forget to visit the Waiau Waterworks, which is located nearby on the 309 road. About the Waiau Waterworks I’ll write in another article, and for now – Have A Nice Day!

Related posts:

1. Walks of the Coromandel Region