New Chums Beach, NZ, Credit tripadvisor.co.uk
Situated 2.5 hours from Auckland and known for its laid-back lifestyle, the Coromandel Peninsula is the perfect place for a summer getaway. Whether you like beaches, fishing or seafood, The Coromandel is an idyllic tropical destination.
The Coromandel Peninsula consists of many small coastal towns, with the most popular being Whitianga, Coromandel, Whangamata and Tairua.
If you are visiting the Coromandel in summer, don’t be afraid to pitch a tent! The warm weather is perfect for to enjoy the great outdoors. However, if camping isn’t your thing, there are many hostels and motels to book a room, along with apartments and houses to rent.
Cathedral Cove, NZ, Credit- Planetden.com
The Coromandel has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, such as New Chums Beach. It is, in fact, rated as one of the best beaches in the world and is featured in the Lonely Planet Guide on New Zealand. Other amazing spots include Hot Water Beach, where there is geothermal activity right under the sand. Pick up a spade and dig a nice, hot pool to refresh yourself in the ocean surf. Cathedral Cove, which is located nearby, was the film sight for a part of the Prince Caspian Film from the Narnia Series. This beach is beautiful, with pure sand and an amazing, natural cathedral shape. It’s quite popular for both weddings and tourists daily. The area is also great for snorkeling, diving and jumping off large rock formations that jut into the sea.
For a fantastic array of seafood dishes, take a seat at Whitianga’s Salt Bar, or at Coromandel Mussel Kitchen for a beautiful meal in the lovely garden setting. You can order the finest green-lipped mussels money can buy. If a rustic, wood-fired pizza by the ocean is your idea of perfection, then there’s not better location than Luke’s Kitchen in Kuaotunu. Run by a avid surfer and his family, this spot highlights a relaxing ambiance and delicious gourmet pizza. To enjoy a frosty beverage from New Zealand’s microbrewery culture, there’s The Coromandel Brewing Company & The Pour House in Hahei and the Hot Water Brewery in Whitianga.
Naturally, New Zealand offers plenty of activities to satiate the adventurous spirit in you. Go on a game fishing charter, hire a paddleboard or go horseback riding—you’ll be spoilt for choice. Each town has a great information centre, and a helping hand won’t be far away.
The secret to the Coromandel is to relax and enjoy, because there’s nothing more beautiful than a Coromandel summer.
