The Ultimate Coromandel Road Trip Itinerary
The Coromandel is one of our top destinations in the country for an easy van holiday getaway. Packed with stunning beaches, waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and dense rainforests, this is a place where you really can’t go wrong.
Best of all, it only takes an hour and a half to get there from the Mojo Campers depot in Hamilton! So whether you’re in New Zealand for a week or a year, a Coromandel road trip in a Mojo Sleepervan is an absolute must.
There are plenty of great Department of Conservation campgrounds where you can park up for the night wherever you decide to stop. Make sure you bring plenty of cash so you can pay the fees - the honesty boxes (which do get checked) don’t take credit cards.
Here’s a list of the things you shouldn’t miss on your Coromandel roadie:
1. Start with the Pinnacles hike
The Pinnacles Walk is an absolute stunner of a hike - probably our favourite in the Coromandel, and it’s definitely up there with New Zealand hikes overall. We would be lying if we said it was easy - you have to climb straight uphill for about four hours for the first half - but it is so worth it.
Choosing to stay overnight at the hut gives you plenty of time to rest after your mish up the hill. Plus, you can ditch your pack and do the final 30-minute climb from the hut to catch the sunset and the sunrise. You’ll be blown away for sure!
2. Restock in Thames
Thames is one of the bigger towns in the Coromandel, so it is a good spot to stock up your fridge and pantry. Also, there are a few cute op shops, heritage buildings, and historical sights to check out if you have the time - like the Thames School of Mines.
3. Take the coast road to Coromandel Town
The drive from Thames to Coromandel town is so gorgeous - you have got to take the coastal road while you’re there. You will pass dozens of beautiful little bays, tunnels of trees, tiny coastal towns, and hearty fishing spots if that's your thing.
4. Do the Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Right up at the top of the peninsula, between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay, sits the Coromandel Coastal Walkway. Over 7 hours and 20 kilometres, you get breathtaking views of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, old wharves, Mt Moehau, and much more.
5. Visit New Chums Beach
Walk for just over half an hour through huge pōhutukawa and nikau trees to reach this beach in its remote, pristine perfection. With turquoise waters and golden sand, no wonder New Chums has been voted as one of the world’s top ten beaches! Make sure you check the tides before you go - you’ll have a much easier time when it’s low tide.
6. Indulge at the Lost Springs in Whitianga
A bit different from the rest of the items on this list, Whitianga’s Lost Springs is a tourist attraction built upon natural geothermal hot pools. With a treetop spa, a restaurant, and poolside cocktails and snacks, this is a fun spot to go if you feel like adding something fancy to your road trip.
7. Explore Cathedral Cove
Sadly due to storm damage, the Cathedral Cove Walk is currently closed until further notice. The Cathedral Cove beach is accessible by boat only. Read more here.
Cathedral Cove is for sure the best-known attraction in the Coromandel. Park your campervan in Hahei and follow the beautiful hour-long track to Cathedral Cove, where you will undoubtedly fall in love with the spectacular natural structures views and total tranquillity that this beach has to offer.
8. Dig a hole at Hot Water Beach
Another spot that is best at low tide, Hot Water Beach is just as the name suggests: a beach with hot springs! Bring a shovel to dig a hole in the sand, and the water beneath is deliciously warm, thanks to natural geothermal activity. The only downside is that this beach can get pretty crowded, but it is still worth the visit.
9. Kayak to Donut Island
Whenuakura Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Donut Island, for the shape of the land forming around an emerald lagoon) sits just off the coast of Whangamatā, and it is one of the most beautiful reserves in the country. We recommend booking the kayak trip - visiting with a guide is a great way to ensure your safety and help protect the wildlife sanctuary.
10. Visit the Karangahake Gorge
Wrap up your Coromandel road trip with a visit to Karangahake Gorge. Packed with short and long walks through historic mining sites, tunnels, and suspension bridges, you will find something to do no matter how much or how little time you have.
