Bay of Islands – Wellington

Day 3: Auckland to Whitianga

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Auckland - Thames 1.5 hrs  106/66 Thames - Coromandel Town 0.5 hr  60/38 Coromandel Town - Whitianga 0.5 hr  46/29   Totals for Day 2.5 hrs  212/133

Auckland - Thames - Coromandel Town - Whitianga

Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is situated between two enormous harbours and dotted with 48 extinct volcanic cones. It’s a place to enjoy marine adventures, wine trails, forest walks and urban sophistication.

There are two routes to Thames. The fast way whisks you along the motorway and over the Bombay Hills, then across the serene, green Hauraki Plains to Waitakaruru. The slower, scenic route winds through farmland to the village of Clevedon before leading you around the edge of the Firth of Thames. Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point and Kaiaua are beachside settlements to visit.

Both routes make it possible to visit Miranda’s hot springs and bird sanctuary. Pipiroa is a friendly place to stop before you venture over the famous, one lane Kopu Bridge, which was built in 1928 and has a Historic Places Trust listing.

The historic township of Thames was founded during the Coromandel gold rush. It’s a great place for walks – around the town, through the bush and on the mangrove board walk. Visit the museum and discover an interesting range of shops.

Scenic Highlights

Historic Thames
Explore local history in a colonial mining town on the doorstep of the scenic Coromandel Peninsula. Plan your wilderness adventures over great coffee.

Auckland's volcanic cones
Climb green volcanic cones in the heart of a large city to peer into deep craters and explore ancient Maori earthworks. Look out over the harbours, islands and beyond.

Devonport & North Head
Discover colonial cottages, stately waterfront homes and World War II defences that run deep into a volcanic cone.

Hunua Ranges
Enjoy nature walks, mountain biking, fishing and camping in the largest mainland forest within the Auckland region.

Auckland Botanic Gardens
Learn about plants from New Zealand and around the world. This beautiful garden offers 64 hectares of cleverly themed displays.

Tamaki Drive and beaches
Enjoy on-street cafes, park-like picnic areas and safe sandy beaches just minutes from Auckland's central business district.

Parnell Historic Walk
Explore the historic houses and buildings of Parnell, New Zealand's first suburb. Be tempted by great cafes and specialty shops along the way.

Coast to Coast Walk
Walk across New Zealand in one day. This 16 kilometre walkway explores parks, volcanic cones and historic suburbs across the Auckland isthmus.

Long Bay Regional Park
Pack a picnic and head for a waterfront park just 20 kilometres from the city centre. Relax on the long sandy beach or hike along the headland.

Auckland Domain
Fly a kite, feed ducks, walk through native forest or follow a trail of outdoor sculptures in this magnificent inner city park.

Auckland's North Shore beaches
Dip your toes into the North Shore's beachy lifestyle. A series of sandy bays stretches from Cheltenham to Torbay.

Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve, Waitemata Harbour
A haven for wading and sea birds, you can see this marine reserve from Auckland's northwestern motorway.

Miranda foreshore
Bring your binoculars to Miranda and see how many bird species you can spot. Call into the information centre to confirm your sightings.

Motuihe Island
Visit a picturesque island that is becoming a new wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy walks, beautiful sandy beaches and glimpses of the island's intriguing history.

Rangitoto Island
Cross the harbour on a ferry to step onto an alien volcanic landscape. Explore native forests and lava caves on the way to panoramic views from the edge of the summit crater.

Waitakere Ranges
In half an hour you can leave the city behind to explore a vast forest park with waterfalls, rivers, giant kauri trees and wild ocean beaches.

Activities

Auckland
Kayaking – Fresh Water (2), Kayaking – Salt Water (11), Museums (7), Volcanic/Geothermal (3)

Coromandel
Diving (6), Fishing – Salt Water (11)

Auckland - Thames - Coromandel Town - Whitianga

In Thames you can learn about New Zealand’s gold mining past. The mining museum has a fascinating mineralogical collection and there are gold mining relics to discover on many of the bush walks. You can also take the boardwalk through the mangroves to watch seabirds in the Thames Firth.

The road to Coromandel clings to the edge of the coast. You’ll enjoy amazing views and a constant procession of beautiful beaches fringed with Pohutukawa trees.

Formerly a gold-mining and timber town, Coromandel is now a haven for artists, craftspeople and conservationists. It has many well-preserved Victorian buildings and an interesting museum. There are several good walks in the area and a railway enthusiast has created an hour-long train trip at Driving Creek.

Scenic Highlights

Colville and beyond
Take a scenic drive to the northern end of Coromandel Peninsula and discover beautiful isolated beaches and remote forest trails.

Historic Thames
Explore local history in a colonial mining town on the doorstep of the scenic Coromandel Peninsula. Plan your wilderness adventures over great coffee.

Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Taking in views of Great Barrier Island, Cuvier, the Hauraki Gulf and Pacific Ocean, this must rank as one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the country.

Historic Coromandel township
This historic town makes an excellent base for blissful days of forest hiking and beach-hopping.

Miranda foreshore
Bring your binoculars to Miranda and see how many bird species you can spot. Call into the information centre to confirm your sightings.

Activities

Coromandel
Diving (6), Kayaking – Salt Water (2), Walking/Trekking (7)

Auckland - Thames - Coromandel Town - Whitianga

Formerly a gold-mining and timber town, Coromandel is now a haven for artists, craftspeople and conservationists. It has many well-preserved Victorian buildings and an interesting museum. There are several good walks in the area and a railway enthusiast has created an hour-long train trip at Driving Creek.

From Coromandel you can explore the tip of the peninsula – the roads aren’t highly developed, so expect slow going. Colville, Port Jackson, Port Charles and Kennedy Bay are known for their untouched beauty.

On your drive to Whitianga you’ll notice a side road leading to Whangapoua Beach – a worthwhile detour if you have time. You could also call into Matarangi, a recently developed beach settlement. Kuaotunu is another area of pretty beaches.

The beach town of Whitianga is home to a fishing fleet - expect to eat some excellent seafood while you’re here. Best things to do include surfing, surf casting and beach walks. Catch the ferry to the south side of the harbour – a short taxi ride will take you to Cooks Beach.

Scenic Highlights

Colville and beyond
Take a scenic drive to the northern end of Coromandel Peninsula and discover beautiful isolated beaches and remote forest trails.

Cook's Coast beaches
Catch the ferry to enjoy a string of delightful sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Hahei and Cathedral Cove
From beautiful Hahei Beach you can walk to Cathedral Cove, where a naturally formed archway deserves photographic attention.

Kauaeranga Valley
Explore a large valley furnished with rivers, waterfalls and native forest. Follow established tracks and camp beneath the stars.

Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Taking in views of Great Barrier Island, Cuvier, the Hauraki Gulf and Pacific Ocean, this must rank as one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the country.

Historic Coromandel township
This historic town makes an excellent base for blissful days of forest hiking and beach-hopping.

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
From Hahei Beach you can walk to the snorkelling trail at Gemstone Bay - a self-guided underwater tour.

Activities

Coromandel
Arts & Crafts (4)