Coromandel Day Tour

Description

Experience Coromandel Peninsula (90 minute's drive east of Auckland) with its mountainous forest-covered backbone, sheltered bays, coves and stunning coastlines.

Travel via Thames to the spectacular western coast road that leads us to Coromandel Township. Here renowned New Zealand potter Barry Brickell has designed and built a mountain railway system that takes you on a memorable journey through the rugged landscape.

Take a quiet stroll in pristine forest to view magnificent kauri trees.

Journey to the east coast beaches where you stop for lunch. Visit Hot Water Beach with its hot springs in the middle of the sand. Take a dip if you wish!

A short drive away is the iconic scenery of Cathedral Cove where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach.

Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Auckland.

Key Information

Duration:: 12 hours
Departure Time:: 7.00am
Finish Time:: 7.00pm

Tour Code - 9C

Fare Includes:

Hotel / Motel Pick ups, entry to railway, cafe lunch, refreshments and tax.

Notes:

Minimum of 2 passengers.
Moderate level of walking ability required.
Cathedral Cove walk is subject to guide discretion (approx 3km walk).
Tour operates daily except for Christmas Day.
The direction of the tour may be reversed depending on the low tide times at Hot Water Beach.
Child rate is NZ$258.75

Highlights

Depart Auckland

Escape from the bustle of city as you travel down the Southern Motorway, over the Bombay Hills rich with market gardens.

Hauraki Plains

Travel along the fertile Hauraki Plains and across the new Kopu Bridge (opened Dec 2011) and onto the Coromandel Peninsula.

Thames

Stop for a coffee (own expense) in Thames, the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. Thames was built on the pioneering industries of gold mining and kauri logging in the mid-19th century.

Spectacular Pohutukawa Coastline

There a numerous photo opportunities as you wind north along State Highway 25 towards Coromandel township. Your guide will point out the abundant bird life and if you are lucky, you might even see some dolphins!

Coromandel Township

Named after HMS Coromandel which sailed into the bay in 1820, Coromandel Township is a popular summer holiday destination for New Zealanders and is well-known for its arts, crafts and alternative lifestylers.

Driving Creek Railway

A unique mountain railway system designed and built by renowned New Zealand potter, Barry Brickell. The one hour return trip takes you through replanted native kauri forest and includes two spirals, three short tunnels, five reversing points and several large viaducts as it climbs up to the mountain-top terminus.

Kauri Trees

Your next stop is for a quiet stroll in the pristine forest to view some of the magnificent kauri trees which once covered the Coromandel Peninsula. Hug an 800 year old kauri tree - if you can!

Cafe-Style Lunch

The journey continues across the mountain divide and descends towards the east coast beaches where you stop for lunch at a local cafe.

Cathedral Cove

A short drive away is Cathedral Cove, where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach backed by white cliffs. There is a half hour downhill walk to the beach from here which means the walk back is uphill. A moderate walking ability is required and the walk is subject to guide discretion.

10.

Hot Water Beach

Visit Hot Water Beach with its hot spring in the middle of the beach. Take a dip if you wish!

11.

Return to Auckland

Our journey home to Auckland heads back over the hills by a different route.

Gray Line

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