The Coromandel
Shorebird Colvoilalset C Kaiaua A rustic seaside settlement on the doorstep to Miranda. The Miranda Farm Shop, café and del anart Corom gallery is nearby, as is Rangipō Museum and pā site. When it comes to fresh fish, Kaiaua chippy takes some beating as do the popular ice creams at The Pink Shop.
Hauraki
Grey heron, Miranda wetlands © AATP
PŪKOROKORO MIRANDA SHOREBIRD CENTRE Learn about the shore’s birdlife and annual migration. Open seven days a week, there is also a self-contained unit and bunk dormitory for overnight stays.
Local
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• Hot Water Beach – I suggest visit at dawn or late at night, if the tides suit.
• New Chum Beach • Waiau Falls and Kauri Grove – on the 309 Road • Stoney Bay to Fletcher Bay Walk The Coromandel has dozens of beautiful short walking tracks that very few people use. A quick search of the Department of Conservation website gives all the options. I’m starting to feel hungry just thinking about Wharf Road Café in Coromandel
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marshes of the Hauraki Gulf attract thousands of migratory wading birds. Use the bird-hide to view shorebirds up close, a 30-minute walk from the Shorebird Centre.
Plains a Hot Springs Relax WhitiangMiranda The Hauraki Rail Trail This easy yet rewarding four to five-day cycling adventure starts in the charming seaside town of Kaiaua and heads south across the idyllic Hauraki Plains all the way to Waihi and Matamata.
in thermally heated fresh mineral water with temperatures between 36 and 39°C. Enjoy three pools, a jumping pillow, adventure playground and games’ room for the kids.
Cathedral es Tham Cove
Ngātea Water Gardens © Roger Blake
Shorebird
Mike Grogan
• Cathedral Cove
October to wn and March, the salt
Whangamatā
Talk to a
My top five must-do’s for visitors would have to be…
Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve Every year between
Coast
Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours, Hahei Beach Town. When I’m home in Hahei then I’m spoilt for choice... all the local eateries have something tasty to offer after a Cathedral Cove adventure! For a delightful day trip, head to Ōtama Beach. It’s a quintessential Coromandel beach where time seems to stop. Grab lunch at Luke’s Kitchen where you turn off at Kūaotunu or bring a picnic because there are no shops at Ōtama. Lie on the beach, relax, swim, repeat. Living in The Coromandel is awesome. Why? Surf, sun, beaches, people and community. For my family it’s all about the ocean. We love The Coromandel and are very grateful to call it home.
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Hauraki
Plains Hauraki Rail Trail Enjoy the
paddleboat for a leisurely cruise up the river.
Cathedral Giant L&P Bottle Getting a selfie
entire 197km of track or tackle one of five sections. Considered one of New Zealand’s easiest cycle trails, everyone can give it a go! Hikers are welcome too.
with the iconic seven-metre L&P Bottle is compulsory in Paeroa. The town itself is also worth perusing, especially for its antique stores and second-hand shops.
Cove
Ngātea Water Gardens A laugh-out-loud collection of humour-infused gardens, complete with amusing signs, fairy tale castle, an army of ducks and a feisty black swan. Relive your lunch box years at the 11,000-strong global can collection.
Paeroa Historic Maritime Park Absorb an interesting collection of maritime objects and jump on the restored kauri
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway This historic railway walk is just an eight-minute drive from Paeroa. The Rail Tunnel Loop is 45 minutes return whereas the Historic Walkway to Waikino is four hours. Both tracks absorb the stunning gorge, gold-mining relics, steel bridges and 1km rail tunnel.
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