Coromandel Pacific Coast Highway

SH25 follows the Coromandel's west coast through Thames and Coromandel Town, then crosses to Whitianga and runs south through Tairua and Whangamatā to Waihi. It passes beaches, small galleries and Cathedral Cove, which you reach on foot or by boat. A good two- to three-day trip from Auckland.

The stops

1. Start

   Thames

2. Town

   Thames

   Gateway town to the peninsula

3. Town

   Coromandel Town

   Small town with galleries and cafés

4. Town

   Whitianga

   Mercury Bay harbour town

5. Landmark

   Cathedral Cove

   Limestone arch reached on foot or by boat

6. Beach

   Hot Water Beach

   Dig your own hot pool at low tide

7. Town

   Tairua

   Harbour town near Paku summit

8. Beach

   Whangamatā

   Surf beach on the south coast

9. Finish

   Waihi

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Coromandel Town

  Long Bay Motor Camp

• Night 2

  Whitianga

  Whitianga Holiday Park

When to go

Dec–Mar for beaches; shoulder months are quieter

On the road

Tight, winding sections with holiday traffic. Check SH25A closures after storms. The 309 Road between Coromandel Town and Whitianga is gravel and some rental cars ban it.