Intro to Coromandel & Bay of Plenty (excl Rotorua)

Coromandel Peninsula is the favourite holiday area for many Aucklanders - seeing as it has great scenery (both on land and on water), and is fairly close by. Almost everyone stays at one of several townships scattered around the coast - inland is mostly dense bush and mountains. Note there is also a town called Coromandel - but common usage of Coromandel means anywhere on the peninsula.

On the far side of Coromandel Peninsula from Auckland is the large Bay of Plenty which faces north into the Pacific Ocean. The main city is Tauranga which is a rapidly growing retirement area (sunshine belt), but there are lots of other towns as well - notably Whakatane. Not far inland is Rotorua and the volcanic region, and indeed the most active volcano in New Zealand is White Island off the Bay of Plenty coast. No guesses needed as to why it has this name.

What to see?

The number one attraction is the beautiful scenery - mountains, hills, bush and sea.

What to do?

Laze on the beach. If you visit Hotwater Beach at low tide you can scoop out your own hot pool in the sand!

Go boating in the sea or major rivers. There is also good fishing off Coromandel Peninsula and in the Bay of Plenty.

Take a boat or helicopter ride to White Island's active volcano.

Great Barrier Island off the tip of Coromandel Peninsula is a nice place for a day or two - very quiet and rural due to its relative isolation.

There are plenty of bush walks and tramps. Best for day trips rather than longer hikes.

Where to stay?

Tauranga has several hotels, and smaller towns in Bay of Plenty generally have one or two. None of these are major chain hotels. The Coromandel Peninsula has a number of fine lodges and resorts.

How to get around?

Best to have a car. Public transport is thin on the ground. Tour buses and local buses connect Tauranga with Rotorua and Hamilton. Some tours also connect with Gisborne to the east.

Tauranga has an airport with regular flights to both Auckland and Wellington. Whakatane has a smaller airport.

Major events


Tips & tricks

In Coromandel Peninsula in particular, and to a lesser extent in Tauranga, try to avoid long weekends (public holiday on Thursday, Friday, Monday or Tuesday) - especially in summer. The roads to/from Auckland tend to be very congested at the start and end of long weekends, and accommodation may be tight.

Links


When is the best time to visit?

Best weather - summer
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - winter