Coromandel i-SITE Walking & Tramping

Right in the heart of Coromandel Township there are some great walking tracks which you can explore without needing a car, however if you are looking at heading further afield there are a number of transport options available such as guided tours, transport hire, bike hire which will allow you access almost all of the tracks mentioned below.

Short Walks from the Township (no car required)

Long Bay & The Kauri Grove
Travel just 3km from the town to Long Bay Motor Camp. Follow the right fork of the road for approx 100m. A well maintained track passes a very old Kauri Tree through to a small grove of young Kauri Trees. The track meets a gravel road where you will turn right and follow the track down to Tucks Bay where you will follow the coastline back to the motor camp. Approx 35-40 minutes

The Kauri Block Track
Head through town towards the Wharf. As you pass the Coromandel Garage you will travel for another 50metres where you will see the DOC Kauri Block walkway sign on your right hand side. This new DOC track gives fantastic views over Coromandel Town, the Harbour and Coastline. This area is part of the Kauri planting programme and is regenerating. There is a side track leading to the Pa Site.
Approx 45 minutes one way - the track exits from Harbour View Road and you can continue past the Wharf back into town

The Harray Track The Harray Track is the newest walking track to be developed. Approx 1.10 minutes one way

Taumatawahine This walk begins just after Frederick Street. This 600-metre, predominantly ponga bush walk comes out on Main Street and links back to Rings Road via a footpath.
Approx 20 minutes return

Heading East from the Town (from 7km - 18km away)

Castle Rock

Castle Rock is located approx 9km south east of Coromandel Town on the 309 road. Castle Rock is the core of an old volcano that rises above the bush on the backbone of the Peninsula. Just past the Waterworks, turn left onto Castle Rock Road, drive a further 2.6kms to the foot of the mountain. A wooden sign on the right hand side of the road marks the track. This walk is steep in places and becomes very steep near the summit. Care is needed in wet & windy conditions. You are rewarded with fantastic views.
Please Note:This is a forestry road and if logging activities are being carried out, vehicle access to the track may be restricted.
Approx km from Town / 2hrs return

The 309 Kauri Grove

At 7.9km along the 309 Road, the Kauri Grove is a wonderful place to visit. This spectacular group of Kauri trees feature 13 massive specimens and twin Kauri all viewed up close and personal. The 10 minute easy walking track starts on the opposite side of the road at the car park. It takes you through lush forest to the Kauri trees on a well formed gravel track with footbridges and board walks around the trees and in places along the track. Highly recommended.
Approx 15 minutes return

Waiau Summit Track
This tramping track branches off the walk to the 309 Kauri Grove and follows an old coach road over the range and back down to the 309 Road at Mahikarau. Walk back along the road to the car park.
Approx 4hrs return

Waiau Waterfalls

7.3kms along the 309 Road the “Waiau Waterfalls” crash over a rock face to a pristine pool below. The falls are surrounded by a beautiful bush glade. This is an attractive spot where you can swim under the falls, just beside the road. It is an easy walk from the car park.
Approx 10 minutes return

Opera Point
At the entrance to Whangapoua beside the estuary, the walking track follows an old tramway from the car park to a pleasant beach and the site of Craig’s sawmill built 1862. The Ruakawa pa site on the reserve offers excellent coastal views.
Approx 30 minutes return

New Chums
The walk from the northern end of Whangapoua Beach follows the rocky foreshore around the headland. Here you will see a track that takes you over the saddle and down into New Chums Beach through a beautiful grove of nikau and pohutukawa. Enjoy a walk along the secluded white sandy beach.
Approx 1hr return

Whangapoua Summit Lookout
From Coromandel Town, drive towards Whitianga on SH25, at the summit of Whangapoua Hill is where the walk begins – there is a parking area.
It is a short walk (up some steps) to the lookout. The views of Coromandel Town to the west and to Whangapoua Harbour and Matarangi to the east are stunning. Approx 15km from Town / 2 minutes

The Kaipawa Trig
Access this tramping track from Kennedy Bay Road summit (opposite Tokatea Lookout) up a steep track past a relay station. Or from Whangapoua Road (SH 25) via an old benched mining road and vehicle track. The track takes you through regenerating native bush with the trig situated halfway between the two roads. Spectacular views over Coromandel coastline and Hauraki Gulf.
Approx 3hrs return

Northern Coromandel (from 5km - 50km away)

The Coastal Walkway

Start from Fletcher Bay or Stony Bay. If a one way journey is intended, arrange transport to meet you. The 8km walk takes you along the coast, across farmland and through coastal forest with views of the Pinnacles, Great Barrier Island lying to the north and Cuvier Island in the east. Coromandel Discovery Tours provide a scenic Coastal Walkway Tour departing daily from Coromandel Town. Approx 50km from Town / 7hrs return

Tokatea Lookout
From the summit of the Kennedy Bay Road, a short steep tramping track takes you to a lookout with views over the Coromandel landscape. The site was used for marine surveillance during WW II. An on-site map of the area names many landmarks and off-shore islands.
Please Note:Keep to the marked track as there are old mine shafts in the area.
Approx 5km from Town / 30 minutes return

Stony Bay
This is a track to remote fishing spots. It is signposted on the roadside into Stony Bay. The track is through regenerating bush and can be overgrown. At low tide, it is possible to scramble round the rocks back to Stony Bay.
Approx 50km from Town / 2hrs return

Papa Aroha
This short walk adjoining the Papa Aroha Holiday Park , north of Coromandel Town, meanders through coastal forest of puriri, kohekohe and pohutukawa and provides access to an attractive beach.
Approx 90km from Town / 40 minutes return

Matamataharakeke
This walking track begins opposite the DOC Waikawau Camp Manager’s house at the top of the pump paddock, over a stile next to the Matamataharakeke Stream. The track is part of the original Waikawau to Kennedy Bay route used by gold miners and loggers. It goes up the main ridge past a series of lookouts giving views over bush covered hills to coast and islands.
Approx 3hrs return

Fantail Bay
This tramping track is from the Fantail Bay DOC campground under the pohutukawa trees. The track climbs up to the bush line, providing outstanding views along the coast.
Approx 30km from Town / 1hr return