Hidden Gems in Coromandel, Bay of Plenty & Eastland

This is a region with a lot of aces up its sleeve. The beaches are astounding and easily some of the best in the world. Everywhere you go there is a happy, holiday vibe and it’s nature that provides the biggest thrills. Discover Hot Water Beach and be first on Earth to see a new sunrise.

From the Miranda Shorebird Centre in Coromandel to the gloriously unspoiled East Cape, a landmass that thrusts into the Pacific Ocean, all the way down to the bountiful Hawke’s Bay, this magnificent part of Aotearoa is said to be the first part of the fish Maui pulled up from the sea. Hundreds of kilometres of spectacular coastline border the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Eastland regions, while rugged mountain ranges run through the centre of the land making it one of the most scenic parts of New Zealand.

Road trippers can expect to see scenery that includes pōhutukawa-fringed bays to flourishing forest parks, with much of it guaranteed to take your breath away.

Walkways, cycleways, bird sanctuaries and art studios –this is a part of New Zealand to take your time exploring.

Relaxing at Top Hut, Tuateawa © Carmen Huter

WE LOVE YOU NEW ZEALAND - HIDDEN GEMS

• Kauri Grove and Waiau Falls, Coromandel – accessed from the 309 Road, walk amidst kauri giants before cooling off in a small lagoon that Waiau Falls spill into.

• Classic Flyers Aviation Museum, Tauranga Airport – dedicated to all-things aviation, including the opportunity to fly over Tauranga in an open cockpit plane.

Viewing orca, Tolaga Bay Wharf, Eastland © Glass Bottom Boat, Whitianga Mercury Bay Seafari

• Katikati Bird Gardens – a small, family-run garden on Katikati Harbour. Nonchalant herons stalk the lawns, there are ponds, wetlands and aviaries, and the bantams roam free.

• Whirinaki Forest Park, Whakatāne – soak up pure tranquility on The Whirinaki Forest Walk, an easy 11km amble through dense podocarp trees.

• Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga – with a window to the seabed, explore the underworld of Whitianga Marine Reserve on board a glass bottom boat. Grab the snorkels and jump on in.

• Gisborne Railbike Adventure – cycle on disused railway lines on a modified tandem ‘Railbike’.

Sunrise, Gisborne © Strike Photography

Main Image: Whangamatā sunrise © Getty Images

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA members, at travel.aa.co.nz