Five Great Tramps In The Coromandel

Whether you call it walking, trekking, hiking or tramping putting a pack on your back and heading out is a good way of seeing some of what New Zealand has to offer.

And this summer is already turning out to be a stunner for great weather for going bush.

There are hundreds of paths and tracks in New Zealand – just look at websites like New Zealand Walks or Tramper NZ both of which have track finder maps.

One of the best places for a variety of coastal and bush walks is the Coromandel, just two hours from Auckland.  Rugged and mountainous in places, with stunning bays and headlands, it is a popular summer destination but you can still find peace and quiet.

Here are five highly recommended walks to choose from, or tramps as they are known locally.

The Coromandel Coastal Walkway

Billed as one of the best coastal walkways in New Zealand this is a chance to really get away, discover beautiful beaches, surround yourself with nature, enjoy the peace and quiet and gaze at twinkling bays.

From Sandy Bay in the south to Fletcher’s Bay in the north, going by foot is one of two ways to travel on land between the two, the other being by mountain bike along the Stony Bay Mountain Bike Track.

The walk is 3-4 hours one way through pristine bush, farmland and over headlands and rugged terrain in the shadow of Mount Moehau, the highest peak on the Coromandel Peninsula.  

It’s a fantastic track for keen walkers, but it also has lots of places to relax – if it’s warm, you can go for a swim at Fletcher’s Bay, the finish line.  

If you are camping, there are Department of Conservation campsites at either end but if you just want to go one way, or for a day walk, two companies run tours and shuttle services: Coromandel Adventures and Coromandel Discovery.

New Chum Beach (Wainuitoto), Whangapoua

Much in the news because of an ongoing threat of development, New Chum Beach has been voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches and is number 60 on the must-dos for Kiwis.

New Chum has all the qualities to put it up there with the best – a long crescent shaped sandy strand, pohutukawa trees shading the beach fringe, seclusion and peace, no roads, no buildings, not even a campsite – it’s tranquil even in summer.

To reach it, the walk is 30 minutes along the beach at Whangapoua, across the lagoon stream and north over the headland.  This is about the limit if you are carrying a day’s supplies and planning on a picnic and swimming.

It is a very relaxed walk, with great views but more about the destination rather than the walk itself.  New Chum is also good for shellfish and fishing, if you have enough spare hands to carry the gear.

Whangapoua is just 18kms north east of Coromandel Town, about a 25 minute drive, or a 35 minute drive from Whitianga.

Cathedral Cove, a jewel on the Coromandel

As one of the most famous bays in New Zealand it’s hard to not see a photo of Cathedral Cove when searching for anything to do with the Coromandel.

But it’s much better in real-life!

The main walk is two hours return from the northern end of Hahei Beach, up the cliff and then along past Gemstone Bay, Mares Leg and on to Cathedral Cove itself.  

This timeframe only refers to the walking – if you are like most people, you will want to explore take photos and even go for a swim.

And there’s a whole new world to see under the surface in the protected Te-Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve with its rich, varied and unspoilt habitats.

There’s even a snorkel trail at Gemstone Bay, a nature trail in the water.  

This is made up of buoys with information, photos and explanations so you can look for and identify what’s below.   And the buoys have handles so you can rest, read and then swim to the next buoy.  

Another one of those must do activities!

Pinnacles, Thames, Coromandel

Reaching the summit of the Pinnacles should be something on every travellers’ list of things to do.

The start of the walk is towards the end of the stunning Kauaeranga Valley that winds its way inland from the town of Thames, which itself is worth walking around.

The Pinnacles are exactly what they say they are – pointed rocks reaching for the sky protruding from rugged bush clad scenery.  Reach the top and you will think you are looking at what inspired the Lord of the Rings trilogy – the view is stupendous!

The Pinnacles rates as one of New Zealand’s most popular two day walks.  There’s a lot of Kauri industry history in the area with the remains of log dams and packhorse tracks.

Near the Pinnacles summit is an 80 bed Department of Conservation Hut, which has all the necessary facilities but will need to be booked well in advance to guarantee a place to rest.

It’s a steep climb up to the hut of about 4-5 hours and longer if you want to stop regularly and enjoy the views.   

It can be walked in a day if you are fit, but allow 8 hours and make sure you have a friend willing to give you a foot massage at the end!

There is transport available from Thames to pick up and drop off, which is probably a better idea than leaving your car at the start of the track.  

Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway

At the southern end of the Coromandel is the Karangahake Gorge, where a historic walkway follows an old railway line through an area riddled with the remains of a gold mining era.

It is a stunning natural gorge setting, with historic sites including two steel truss bridges, a one kilometre long rail tunnel, the Victoria Battery complex and the old Waikino Station, now the home of the Goldfields Railway and Café.

After the ravages of mining, the area is now pristine so it’s hard to imagine the impact of the industry that decimated the vegetation and destroyed the life of the Ohinemuri River.

The area has become a focus for tourism and is also on the New Zealand Cycle Trail so accommodation can become booked well in advance.  The Ohinemuri Winery and Restaurant is worth a visit as well as the Bullswool Farm Park, especially if you are travelling with children.

Driving around and going walking always has a few logistical hurdles so here are a few tips:

• Always leave your car in a secure place and don’t leave valuables and personal travel documents in the car
• Use tourist shuttle services where you can
• Take a smaller pack when possible and leave the rest of your gear where you are staying
• Make sure you take the right equipment and look at a gear list beforehand
• If you are going for a long trip make sure you let someone know your intentions – the New Zealand Outdoor Intentions Process has been set up for this

As New Zealand’s summer temperatures soar here is some Department of Conservation advice if you come across a bush fire.

• Be aware of fire bans in your area from the National Rural Fire Authority
• If you are camping only do so in designated campsites
• If you are allowed to light a fire, stay with it until it’s out (put your hand in the fire to make sure it’s out – seriously)
• Don’t have a fire on a windy day
• Make sure there are 3 metres clear around the fire and no overhanging plants or trees
• Have fire-fighting gear and supplies close by, especially a good water source – campsites will have this
• Don’t throw away cigarettes

Have a great walking trip – remember we drive on the left side of the road, and if you need some tips on New Zealand driving, have a read of the Drivesafe website.

And most importantly, enjoy our wonderful country and have fun!