Coromandel: Coastal Walks, History and Brewing Culture

Coromandel brings together local history, art and brewing culture with walks to viewpoints and coastal scenery. In Coromandel Town, you’ll find plenty to explore around town; the Kauri Block Track follows a ridgeline, while rail and coastal walks offer different landscape experiences. This mix of visiting the town and enjoying nature is especially appealing when planning a holiday.

Brewery and tastings in Coromandel Town

Coromandel Town Supply is a brewery in the heart of Coromandel Town, where beer is brewed and packaged on site. The tasting room and refill station offer practical ways for visitors to experience the brewery: you can try new beers, refill containers or take cans home. You can tailor your visit to tasting, refilling or taking beer away. Visitor services and operating arrangements may change; check the latest information before planning your visit.

Local history and art

The “Boom, Bust and Beyond” tour takes visitors through historic buildings in Coromandel Town and explores the town’s Māori history. This 90-minute guided walking tour through the town centre offers a focused look at local history. The tour is described as suitable for people of all abilities, including wheelchair users and those with strollers and pushchairs. Check accessibility arrangements and current availability before booking.

The Coromandel Arts Tour exhibition at Hauraki House Gallery in the town centre offers a glimpse of work by participating artists. A guide can help you plan your visit. Exhibition programmes and event dates may change, so check the latest schedule in advance.

Tracks, native bush and views

The Kauri Block Track follows a ridgeline through regenerating bush and native plantings below Te Kauri Pā. A 45-minute return walk leads to a viewpoint at a pā, with views across Coromandel Town and the sea. Access the track from the top of Harbour View Road or via a path beside 356 Wharf Road in Coromandel Town. Check local track updates and conditions before setting out.

A coastal walk in the wider Coromandel area, the Coromandel Walkway runs between Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay through farmland and coastal forest. Along the way, enjoy views of the Pinnacles, Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) to the north and Cuvier Island (Repanga Island) to the east. Weather events can affect track conditions and cause temporary closures; check current alerts before planning your walk.

For a different perspective, take a ride on the Driving Creek Railway in Coromandel Town. The 1-hour-and-15-minute journey passes through tunnels and over hand-built bridges to the EyeFull Tower lookout. The railway runs through 60 acres of regenerating native bush; from the lookout, views stretch across Coromandel Town and the Hauraki Gulf. Check current operating conditions before your trip.

A different kind of outing

The Waterworks is a theme park in Coromandel Town featuring water-powered inventions and quirky constructions. It has more than 70 attractions and an adventure playground. This offers a very different kind of experience alongside historic walks and tracks through bush and coastal scenery. As the selection of attractions may change, it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.

The wider setting: Thames-Coromandel District

Across the wider Thames-Coromandel District, dramatic topography and coastline meet native forests and a variety of coastal communities. The district has around 2,000 hectares of parks and reserves. These regional landscapes add another perspective to the specific experiences in Coromandel Town, without forming a single outing or shared route.

Thames has its own distinctive history: the Thames School of Mines complex is considered a rare and well-preserved example of its kind in New Zealand. The site has spiritual, cultural and archaeological significance and is especially important to Ngati Maru. The band rotunda in Victoria Park, Thames, has been used for musical performances and related events for more than a century.

For active exploration of the region, the 160-kilometre Hauraki Rail Trail offers another way to get around: it extends across the Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako districts. The 34-kilometre section from Thames to Paeroa passes through lush farmland. These regional examples show how varied the possible activities are across the Thames-Coromandel District.

Choose the location that best suits the activities that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Matarangi, Pauanui, Whangamata, Opoutere, Tapu, Cooks Beach, Colville, Kuaotunu.

For the wider travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.