Waikato & Coromandel...
Transcript of Waikato & Coromandel...
Waikato & Coromandel Peninsula
Why Go?Verdant rolling hills line New Zealand’s mighty Waikato River, and adrenaline junkies can surf at Raglan, or under-take extreme underground pursuits in the extraordinary Waitomo Caves.
But this is also Tainui country. In the 1850s this powerful Maori tribal coalition elected a king to resist the loss of land and sovereignty. The fertile Waikato was forcibly taken from them, but they retained control of the rugged King Country to within a whisper of the 20th century.
To the northeast, the Coromandel Peninsula juts into the Pacific, forming the Hauraki Gulf’s eastern boundary. The peninsula’s east coast has some of the North Island’s best white-sand beaches, and the muddy wetlands and pictur-esque stony bays of the west coast have long been a refuge for alternative lifestylers. Down the middle, the mountains are criss-crossed with walking tracks, allowing trampers to explore large tracts of isolated bush studded with kauri trees.
When to Go¨¨ Beachy accommodation in Waihi, Whitianga, Whangamata
and Raglan peaks across the summer holidays from Christmas until the end of January. New Year’s Eve in particular can be very busy.
¨¨ Balmy February and March are much quieter around the Coromandel Peninsula with settled weather and smaller crowds. Rainfall peaks in the mountainous Coromandel region from May to September.
¨¨ The Waikato region can see summer droughts, but the southern area around Taumarunui is often wetter and colder.
¨¨ If you avoid the height of summer school holidays (Christmas to January), accommodation is plentiful in the Waikato region.
¨¨ Raglan’s surf breaks are popular year-round.
Best Beaches & Outdoors¨¨ New Chum’s Beach (p201)
¨¨ Cathedral Cove (p205)
¨¨ Otama Beach (p201)
¨¨ Surfing at Manu Bay (p176)
¨¨ Black-water rafting at Waitomo Caves (p185)
Best Places to Stay¨¨ Wairua Lodge (p202)
¨¨ Driving Creek Villas (p199)
¨¨ Purangi Garden Accommodation (p206)
¨¨ Solscape (p176)
Waikato........................165Hamilton......................167Raglan.........................173Cambridge...................179Matamata................... 180Te.Aroha....................... 181Waitomo.Caves...........185Thames....................... 194Coromandel.Town.......197Whitianga...................202Hahei..........................205Waihi.&.Around...........209
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HaurakiPlains
Firth ofThames
SOUTH PACIFICOCEAN
HaurakiGulf
RotoroaIsland
LakeTaupo
Lake Karapiro
PonuiIsland
WaihekeIsland
MotutapuIslandRangitoto
Island
Koputai WetlandManagement
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Coromandel Range
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New Chum'sBeach
Hot WaterBeach
Huntly
Whiritoa
Onemana
Morrinsville
Kuaotunu
Matingarahi
Miranda
Kaiaua
Whatawhata
Katikati
WaihiBeach
Pokeno
Port Charles
Te Kuiti
Cambridge
Tuakau
Paeroa
Te Anga
Amodeo Bay
Oamaru Bay
Te Kouma
Manaia
WaikawauKerata
Coroglen
Wharekawa
Waitakaruru
Ngarimu Bay
KennedyBay
AwaitiPatetonga
Kaihere
Mangatarata Ngatea
Waikino
Waihi
Barryville
Whakamaru
Tihoi
Ruamahunga
Colville
Tokoroa
Tirau
Otorohanga
Ngaruawahia
Matamata
Putaruru
Thames
Whitianga
Whangamata
Tairua
Pipiroa
Meremere
Rangiriri
Ohinewai
Pukekawa
Tatuanui Waitoa
NgauraShaftesbury
Mangatupoto
AratoroKopaki
Eight MileJunction
RangiaowhiaTe Awamutu Tapapa
Hinuera
RotongataWharepapaSouth
Tapu
Turua
Orere Point
Kiritehere
Moeatoa
Waikawau
Marokopa
Te Mata
Waikaretu
LimestoneDowns
Port Waikato
PapakuraDrury
Bombay
AucklandOrapiu
Hamilton
Kawhia
WhitiangaAirfield
ThamesAirfield
CoromandelForest Park
CoromandelForest Park
PureoraForest Park
PureoraForest Park
Piripiri CavesScenic Reserve
MangapohueNatural BridgeScenic Reserve
HamiltonAirport
MatamataAirfield
PirongiaForest Park
Te TotoGorge
NikauCave
CoromandelForest Park
Te PuiaHot Springs
Mt Pureora(1165m)
Mt Titiraupenga(1042m)
Mt Maungatautari(797m)
Mt Pirongia(959m)
Mt Te Aroha(952m)
Mt Karioi(756m)
Taupiri(287m)
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Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
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#4 CoromandelForest Park
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KarangahakeGorge
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HaheiBeach
Coromandel Town
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Sanctuary MountainMaungatautari
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WaitomoCaves
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West Coast (750m)
Waikato & Coromandel Peninsula Highlights1.Travelling.remote.gravel.roads.under.a.crimson.canopy.of.ancient.pohutukawa.trees.in.Far North Coromandel.(p200)2.Kayaking.around.the.hidden.islands,.caves.and.bays.of.Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve.(p206)
3.Pigging.out.on.smoked.mussels.in.Coromandel Town.(p197)
4.Penetrating.the.mystical.depths.of.the.dense.bush.of.Coromandel Forest Park.(p198).and.Karangahake Gorge.(p211)
5.Watching.the.offshore.islands.glow.in.the.dying.haze.of.a.summer.sunset.from.Hahei Beach.(p205)6.seeking.subterranean.stimulation.in.the.Waitomo Caves.(p185).–.this.is.your.chance.to.try.black-water.rafting
7.Hitting.the.surf.(and.then.the.pub).in.unhurried.Raglan.(p173)
8.Tramping.through.an.inland.island.paradise.at.Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.(p178)